Mental health topics can be really tricky to write about in an effective way – especially when discussing more complex conditions. When I saw the cover for “Sociopath” by Patric Gagne, I was instantly intrigued. Of course, I’ve heard about sociopathy, but I haven’t read much about it, and I’ve definitely never read a memoir from someone who’s been diagnosed with it.

Gagne is 100 percent honest about what her life has been like living as a sociopath. Her descriptions of daily, suffocating apathy and a lack of traditional emotions is so interesting. As someone who is on the other end of the spectrum (I’m definitely a person who feels too much!), it was fascinating to read what it feels like to exist in a state where feelings like shame, guilt, and remorse are virtually non-existent.

I found the most captivating chapters to be the ones in the beginning of the book where she writes about what it was like as a child realizing her brain worked so differently than most people’s. She had common thoughts about inflicting pain and didn’t understand why other people had huge displays of emotion (especially when it came to things like grief and love). Many of Gagne’s descriptions of her childhood are eerie and confusing, but then they also end up making so much sense later on in the book once Gagne illustrates how a sociopathic brain truly functions.

This memoir worked so well for me because Gagne is really adept at describing her own authentic perspective. You would think that a book about a sociopath would be scary or utterly dark, but Gagne helped open my eyes to the view that sociopaths just have an alternate way of seeing and experiencing the world. If their behaviors are modified so that they’re not harming others or themselves, they can be loving, productive members of society. Like with any mental health diagnosis, it’s so important to focus on the fact that some brains just work differently (not better or worse). And there needs to be much more research conducted into this diagnosis and its potential treatment options.

I commend Gagne for writing this memoir when so much stigma still surrounds sociopathy. Her honesty and courage will help so many people.

5 stars

*Free ARC provided by Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review*