Kanika Batra, who was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder at age 21, has spoken publicly about five characteristics she says are consistent among people with these conditions.
Background on the conditions
According to WebMD, antisocial personality disorder is associated with a lack of empathy, meaning affected individuals often don't understand or care about others' feelings. Narcissistic personality disorder involves an inflated sense of self-importance and a strong need for attention and admiration from others. Batra, from Australia, has said she believes she was "born this way," while also acknowledging that childhood experiences may have played a role.
The five characteristics
Speaking on LADbible's Minutes With series, Batra identified charisma as the first trait, explaining that people with these conditions are typically skilled at appearing appropriate and likeable in social situations, making them difficult to identify. She described this as closely tied to a second trait, a fundamental lack of genuine care for others, saying she can recognise how someone feels without actually feeling concerned about it, though she'll often pretend to care if it serves a social purpose.
The third and fourth traits she described were a tendency toward pathological lying and manipulation, sometimes with no clear benefit beyond personal enjoyment or minor gain. The fifth, and one she described as central, was an absence of empathy itself, saying she experiences no internal emotional reaction even when witnessing someone else in visible distress, such as crying.
The role of control
Batra also spoke about how important control is to her wellbeing, saying she feels uncomfortable in any situation where she lacks it, extending to her diet, her friendships, and expectations she places on romantic partners regarding loyalty. She said she avoids alcohol specifically because she views intoxication as a form of vulnerability that could leave her open to manipulation.
Her relationships
Despite her diagnosis, Batra said she's able to experience love and has maintained long-term relationships, describing herself as a serial monogamist. She spoke warmly about her husband, Sam, describing him as an exception to a pattern where she typically develops contempt for partners within a few months, saying he's allowed her to be fully herself without judgment.
