Because they lack empathy, psychopaths may respond to hearing of emotionally troubling events in a bland or robotic way, or in a way that seems forced and artificial.  For example, a psychopath may repeatedly express their disappointment with words only, but in a way that lacks emotion. Psychopaths, upon hearing troubling news, may make no real effort to resolve the issue, no matter how much they talk about it. However, they may also have a very strong reaction when you least expect it. This could be due to fear of being caught, taking offense to something minor due to their poor self-esteem, or misreading a situation and thinking they should "fake" a response. A psychopath may attempt to toy with your emotions by making you feel sorry for them. Watch for signs such as tones of voice and deflecting of blame to gain your sympathy. This is another way for them to deny responsibility of their own actions.  Watch for this manipulative behavior especially when the person needs an excuse as to why they made a faux pas or blunder (e.g., "forgot" your birthday). Another red flag is if they make everything about them and how hard they have it, without ever apologizing or taking responsibility. If you want to spot a prosocial psychopath, keep track of each time they bug you with questions about how you would act in certain emotion-inducing situations. This may indicate that, because they lack empathy and a conscience, they don't naturally feel what is normal or appropriate in some situations and have to get the data elsewhere.  For example, they may ask: "What would you do if you came out of your apartment and saw me hiding in the bushes?" This is something a normal person would not need to ask. If you are thinking of getting into a relationship with someone but you are worried they might be a psychopath, try to get a sense of how fast they want to move. There are several signs that might indicate psychopathy:   Do they, after no time at all, call you endearing terms? Do they insist that you should freely bring them into your circle of trust? Do they want you to share living quarters or share a business venture very soon after meeting? A psychopath may set up a dynamic in which they lavish you with attention, then inexplicably give you the cold shoulder. When you return to their good graces, you experience maximum elation and feel high from the boost of dopamine (the "love" chemical) and endorphins. They manipulate you into pretty much being addicted to them, so you repeatedly forgive whatever transgressions they perpetrated against you.

Summary: Assess reactions to emotionally troublesome events. Watch for signs of self-victimization. Assess how often you are questioned. Analyze desire to move quickly into a close relationship. Look for drastic changes in attention given to you.


Even if you have traditional parents who are strict about things like dating, your parents had to get together for you to be born! This means that, on some level, they understand the basic need for romantic love. By showing your parents you want to understand and respect their point of view, they might interpret this as a sign you're mature enough to start dating. And even if they don't, by understanding their concerns, you can take steps to ease their fears. How you address parental concern will depend on your situation, but it's highly likely that showing maturity will help convince your parents you are old enough to date. When talking with your parents, you should ask them how you might prove to them you are ready to date, or if there is something you can do to make them feel more comfortable with the situation.  Remember to take your parents concerns seriously. In most cases, they are only looking out for your well-being. Although you're branching out and becoming your own person, you're still your parents' responsibility. Respond to parental suggestions seriously. If your parents ask you to show maturity by doing something and you fail to do it, it may reinforce their opinion that you're simply not ready to date. Now that you've learned some of the reasons why your parents don't want you to date, think about how you might resolve those concerns. This might mean agreeing to check in with your parents by text message every hour you are on a date, or maybe it would make them feel more comfortable if you only went on dates in public places.  You might be able to put your parents' minds at ease by doing something as simple as giving them your partner's, and your partner's parents, phone numbers. But before you give your parents the number, let your partner (and his or her parents) know first.  Although it can be embarrassing, some especially strict parents might only be willing to allow you to date with a chaperon. Having one of your parents or one of your date's parents along on your date might be awkward, it's better than getting sick from stress and it's definitely better than no date at all. Sometimes, no matter how good your reasoning is, your parents won't take you seriously. Even though you're growing up, to you parents you're still their child, and it can be hard for your parents to accept your new, more adult perspective. In this case, you might talk with an adult you feel comfortable with, like an aunt, uncle, church leader, teacher, or school counselor, and ask if they can help you talk to your parents. You may want to try talking to your parents on your own first, even if you are certain they won't listen. This way, if your parents get upset that you've involved someone else, you can politely point out that you already tried to talk to them about it. Be respectful, upsetting your parents might make things more difficult for you.

Summary: Explore the topic to understand their point of view. Address your parents' concerns. Suggest potential compromises. Use a trusted adult to help talk to your parents.


. Rather than have 2-3 big meals, try having 5-6 meals with smaller portion sizes. This can help to prevent overwhelming your esophagus with a lot of food at once and make it easier for you to digest your food properly. For example, you may have a small portion of food in the morning and then several small meals during the day, rather than a set breakfast, lunch, and dinner with larger portions. Food with lots of pepper and other spices can make your symptoms worse. Acidic foods like tomatoes, oranges, strawberries, and lemons can also cause spasms. Try cutting these foods out of your diet to see if your symptoms improve. Acidic drinks like coffee can also make your spasms worse so you should avoid drinking these, if possible. Try not to prepare food that is very hot or very cold, as the extreme temperatures can make your symptoms worse. Eat food at room temperature to avoid aggravating your esophagus. These two habits can make your symptoms worse and cause spasms to occur. Try quitting smoking or reducing how many cigarettes you smoke a day. Limit yourself to one to two drinks a month to prevent making your spasms worse. Esophageal spasms can become worse at night and make it difficult for you to sleep. To stop them, raise the head of your bed by using blocks under your bed frame or by placing a foam wedge under your mattress.  Do not try adding extra pillows under your head when you sleep, as this is not an effective option unless you buy a special pillow. You can purchase a special pillow that keeps you elevated. However, raising the bed, or investing in a bed that you can raise up, is a better option. Wait two to three hours after you eat to lie down in bed, to give your body time to digest your food and prevent spasms or heartburn. Keep these areas unrestricted by wearing clothing that is loose and flowy, such as tops that cut low at the neck. Go for clothing in breathable fabrics like cotton and linen to prevent these areas from getting too hot or tight. Losing even 5 to 8 pounds (2.3 to 3.6 kg) can make your esophageal spasms less severe and reduce their frequency. Try adopting a healthy, balanced diet and following a meal plan. Go to a fitness class at your local gym or workout at home using video tutorials online. Try walking, jogging, or biking to work every day to lose weight. These exercises can be done at work or at home in a quiet, low lit area. Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Try breathing in through your nose for a count of 5 and then exhaling through your nose for a count of 5. Do this for 2-5 minutes to help you relax and stay calm.
Summary: Have several small meals throughout the day Avoid spicy, acidic foods. Have food at room temperature. Do not smoke or drink alcohol. Raise your bed 15 to 20 centimetres (5.9 to 7.9 in) to help you sleep. Avoid wearing tight clothing around your neck or abdominal area. Consider losing weight if you are overweight. Try deep breathing exercises to relax your esophagus.