Relationships are hard and require lots of love, effort, commitment, and respect to be successful.
 When two people are reasonably balanced emotionally, a relationship can reach its potential and be mutually supportive, loving, and fulfilling.
 Unfortunately, there are some situations where the deck is stacked decidedly against this result.
 Some people who may initially appear "normal" on the surface are actually hard wired in a disordered way and have a very difficult time holding up their end of a relationship.
 Often, people with personality disorders, such as sociopathy, commit very destructive and hurtful acts as part of their modus operandi.
 For the partner of a sociopath, this is a very bewildering and painful experience.
 Only a mental health professional can officially diagnose a personality disorder, but it is helpful to know what you can look for.
 Here are 8 signs of sociopathy in your partner: 1.
       Lack of a guilt response or true remorse.
 Truthfully, the sociopath is more likely to feel entitled to commit wrongful acts against someone because the victim was stupid and weak to begin with.
 The sociopath may cry upon being caught, but this is a response to being upset about being caught and may also be deliberately manipulative.
2.
      Shallow emotions and superficial charm.
 A sociopath may have a great deal of charisma, but this façade does not hide a deeper well of emotional depth.
 A sociopath studies others and learns appropriate responses to certain stimuli for the purpose of manipulating and controlling others, nut these responses do not come from a genuine wellspring of emotion.
3.
      Poor behavioral controls and a tendency toward compulsivity.
 This can often be seen in addictions to drugs and alcohol, and sexual promiscuity and acting out.
4.
      A tendency toward boredom.
 Always trying to alleviate this condition, the sociopath may engage in risky behavior without concern for the risks to self or others.
5.
      A disregard for the rules and norms of society.
 The sociopath often behaves as if the rules of society simply don't apply to him or her.
6.
      Criminal behavior and violent tendencies.
 Many sociopaths, not bound by conscience or regard for the rules, will engage in various types of crimes, including violent ones.
7.
      Manipulation and conning.
 Often a sociopath will lie compulsively and do whatever is necessary to exploit others for their own gain.
 Some live a parasitic lifestyle, taking what they can form others.
Consistent irresponsibility is frequently associated with sociopathic behavior.
 Your partner may not pay bills on time, hold a steady job, or honor marital commitments.