The sociopath empath apath triad (SEAT)

 

The Sociopath Empath Apath Triat (SEAT) refers to the 3 groups of people involved in the dynamics of abusive relationships. It is important to understand how SEAT works and how it affects households or relationships that are closely tied to the abuser and the victim of the abuse.

 

SEAT works like this: 

 

EMPATHS are ordinary people who are highly perceptive and insightful. They can display qualities of being authentic, truthful and can easily relate with others. A particular attribute is that they are sensitive to the emotional distress of others. Conversely, they have trouble comprehending a closed mind and lack of compassion in others.  

 

SOCIOPATHS possess a superficial charm, which diverts attention from disturbing aspects of their nature. They wreak havoc in a covert way so their underlying condition remains hidden for years. Empaths are targeted by sociopaths because of their level of sensitivity and empathy towards others. Sociopaths hone in on Empaths because they can sense a wound or a vulnerability that can be spotted. The majority of people in the sociopaths network are easily baited because sociopaths frequently use Gaslighting tactics, which makes them masters of manipulation, grooming, lies, and deceit. Thus, some who have been victimized by sociopaths may doubt their own perceptions of reality. Sociopaths are people that are attractive to be around because they are popular, fun and put on a good show of being kind and caring. They lack a moral conscience although they may pretend to have one, which is how they are able to fly under the radar with life-destroying behaviour.

 

APATHS are people who are closely linked to both the victim and the abuser. They are those who collude in the sport of the sociopath and show a lack of concern or remain indifferent to the targeted person. Apaths are an integral part of the sociopath's arsenal and contribute to sociopathic abuse. Sociopaths have an uncanny knack of knowing who will assist them in bringing down the person they are targeting. Sociopaths draw in apaths by various means: flattery, bribery or disorienting them with lies. A sociopath will go to any lengths to win their game. 

 

Identifying an apath

 

It is not necessarily easy identyifying an apath. In other circumstances, an apath can show ample empathy and concern for others - just not in this case. The one attribute an apath must have is a link to the target. Apaths are often fearful people. They are the ones most likely to go with the flow. They might also fail to perceive the threat: a danger is of no importance if you deny its existence. Apaths behave defenselessly because they want to avoid unpleasant or harmful circumstances, including the sociopath turning on them. Apathy is an avoidance strategy. 

Apaths enable the sociopath because they want to keep the peace, maintain the status quo and have things remain normal. The more apaths a sociopath has in his network that allow him to get away with abuse, the more defensive and delusional apaths become. Apaths would not be able to live with themselves because facing reality is too traumatic.

 

In abusive situations there is always a scapegoat. Empaths are usually targeted because they are the mirror reflecting all of the bad things back that apaths would rather not be reminded of: reality and authenticity. Apaths will try to normalise what empaths have been through and make it acceptable so that it was never wrong to begin with.

 

For more information on the Sociopath Empath Triad, click this link here.