A self-proclaimed psychopath who now works as a lawyer has urged non-psychopaths to adopt two key traits of the personality disorder to help improve their lives.
M.E. Thomas, who practices law in California, says being a psychopath has helped her excel as a lawyer, having recently given advice for those wanting to be more successful.
What is a psychopath?
According to the NHS, psychopaths are considered to have 'a severe form of antisocial personality disorder', which is 'characterised by impulsive, irresponsible and often criminal behaviour.'
Although Thomas' traits, she claims, have worked to her advantage in the field.
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Being fearlessness, means she isn't bothered about asking stupid questions and stepping on people's toes if needed.
"If you're doing something because of what it looks like to others, that's not a good reason to do it," she said.
Because she decides not to take her colleagues' actions personally, she also is able to handle a lot of stress.
She believes this gives her a 10 percent edge over the others.
In 2015, she appeared on an episode of Dr. Phil to promote her book Confessions of a Sociopath: A Life Spent Hiding in Plain Sight.
Thomas said she 'carefully crafted [her] persona over the years,' and that 'even now most people believe that I'm from a foreign country because I speak with a slight accent'.
She got fired as a law professor after her book came out
When her book came out, she says she 'got fired from all my law professor gigs'.
In an op-ed for Business Insider, she explained: "They thought I was a threat to the students.
"But I think my psychopathy gives me an edge in business and law."
Thomas added: "I have insights that would be difficult for a non-psychopath because I can read between the lines and because I have no personal integrity, so it's really easy for me to adjust and move away from any positions I've taken."
Psychopathic traits non-psychopaths could 'benefit' from, according to Thomas
Firstly, Thomas advises avoid 'identify[ing] yourself with things that are out of your control'.
The ex-law professor wrote: "People can become so wrapped up in taking offence or taking things personally that they're not part of, like world conflicts and football hooliganism.
"Those things aren't you, and you can't control them. Not being swept away by a wave of something out of your control can help."
Secondly, she recommends to 'let go of what everybody else thinks'.
"If you're doing something because of what it looks like to others, that's not a good reason to do it,' she explained.
Anish Vij