Red flag signs that could mean your boss is actually a psychopath

When you hear the word psychopath, your mind probably goes to the likes of Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer or the latest horror movie antagonist, but the reality is they can be difficult to spot.

Psychopathy is believed to be an extreme form of anti-social personality disorder, and while you might have watched American Psycho once and think you have it all sussed out, often people will the condition are able to blend in and mirror those around them, meaning they could be right under your nose.

Many experts believe those with the condition thrive in positions of authority which could lead you to question whether your boss is a psychopath.

Now, before you go off and start accusing your manager of being psychopathic because they had to decline your annual leave or left you on read for a few hours, it's important to note that only a professional can diagnose someone with antisocial personality disorder and it's probably not a good idea to go in all guns blazing into your next meeting.

Despite what you might think, they probably don't look like this (Universal Studios)

You'll probably get a very unwelcome visit from HR and handed your P45...

Anyway, there are some things you can look out for that could indicate someone has psychopathic traits, according to Psychology Everywhere.

First things first, what actually is a psychopath?

A psychopath is a term often used to describe someone with a severe form of antisocial personality disorder.

The condition - which is widely believed to be on a spectrum - is characterised by impulsive, irresponsible and often criminal behaviour, according to the NHS.

This can manifest as manipulative behaviour, a lack of empathy and remorse, a disregard for 'normal social behaviour' and exploitation of others.

If the alarm bells are going off in your head about your boss as you're reading this, there are a number of 'red flags' you can be on the look-out for.

Psychopathy isn't actually a clinical term (Bettmann / Contributor)

Lack of empathy

Psychopaths tend to be unable to relate to the feelings of others and lack that critical emotional understanding, so if you feel like your boss regularly exhibits a lack of empathy - or even bullies co-workers - this could be a major red flag.

Dishonesty

If your boss is frequently accusing you of 'misunderstandings' in the workplace, it could be a sign that they're using you as the scapegoat for their own dishonesty to preserve their reputation.

Taking credit for your ideas

'Corporate psychopaths' can end up zapping you of all of your confidence and stealing ideas with zero credit.

There are a number of red flags to look out for in the workplace (Getty stock photo)

Unpredictable behaviour

If you feel like you get in trouble despite following your boss' instructions or left feeling confused and not knowing where you stand, or perhaps one day your boss turns on the charm before doing a swift 180, these could all be indicators that something bigger is at play.

Obsessed with power

A psychopathic boss will have no qualms stepping all over others to get what they want, manipulating and exploiting people along the way just to get more control and authority.

Narcissistic tendencies

They might appear friendly and interested in your life at first, but a psychopath will quickly sever that link once you stop being of use to them - they're only interested in me, myself and I. In the workplace, this could manifest as firing staff for no reason or constantly trying to put the spotlight on themselves.

There are things you can do to protect yourself (Getty Stock Photo)

So you think your boss is a psychopath - how can you protect yourself?

Of course, the one thing you can do is start looking for another job ASAP and get the hell outta there.

But if that's not an option right now, don't worry, there are other things you can put in place to protect your wellbeing.

First things first, if you suspect your boss is a psychopath, one of the best things you can do is try your hardest to fly under the radar to buy you some time to figure out what you want to do next.

The next thing you can do is try and keep a log of any inappropriate conduct between you and your boss including dates and times. Since two of the main traits are dishonesty and manipulation, having actual documentation will help.

Lastly, while it might seem a bit weird, you should avoid slagging your boss off. It might be tempting, but remaining professional and calm will help you when it comes to networking for your next job... word gets around, after all.