Individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) can have complex and varied motivations for forming relationships, even if those relationships seemingly offer nothing valuable, such as a friendship where there are no tangible benefits. It's essential to understand that people with ASPD may have difficulty forming and maintaining genuine emotional connections, but their reasons for holding onto such relationships can include the following:
Manipulation and Exploitation: A person with ASPD may keep someone around for the purpose of manipulating or exploiting them later. They may see the person as a potential target for financial gain, emotional support (even if they don't reciprocate), or other benefits they can exploit.
Sense of Power and Control: Some individuals with ASPD feel a sense of power and control over others. They may enjoy having someone who is loyal or devoted to them, even if it's just in the context of a friendship.
Boredom or Amusement: A person with ASPD might find amusement in toying with others or seeing how much they can get away with in a relationship. The mere act of keeping someone around can be entertaining to them.
Avoiding Loneliness or Abandonment: People with ASPD may fear loneliness or abandonment, like anyone else. While they might not experience emotions in the same way, they might still seek companionship to avoid feeling isolated.
Maintaining a Facade: Having a friend, even if the friendship is superficial, can help maintain a facade of normalcy. It might help them blend into society or appear less suspicious.
Cognitive Empathy: Although emotional empathy is typically impaired in individuals with ASPD, some may possess cognitive empathy. They might understand that having a friendship can be socially advantageous, even if they don't genuinely value the emotional connection.
Future Usefulness: They might keep the person around, believing they could be useful in the future, even if they are not currently providing any obvious benefits.
It's important to note that every individual is different, and motivations can vary widely even within the same diagnosis. People with ASPD often have complex internal processes that may not be immediately evident to others.
If you suspect someone with ASPD is keeping you around for reasons that are concerning or manipulative, it's crucial to prioritize your well-being and safety. Establishing healthy boundaries and seeking support from friends, family, or professionals can help you navigate such relationships and make informed decisions.