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Antisocial personality disorder

Definition

Antisocial personality disorder is a condition in which people show a pervasive disregard for the law and the rights of others. People with antisocial personality disorder may tend to lie or steal and often fail to fulfill job or parenting responsibilities. The terms “sociopath” and “psychopath” are sometimes used to describe a person with antisocial personality disorder.

Early adolescence is a critical time for the development of antisocial personality disorder. People who grow up in an abusive or neglectful environment are at higher risk, and adults who suffer from the disorder were usually showing behavioral problems before the age of 15. Antisocial personality disorder affects men three times as often as it does women and is much more prevalent in the prison population than in the general population.

Antisocial personality disorder is a chronic condition and represents one of the most difficult personality disorders to treat. However, psychotherapy and some medications may help alleviate symptoms. In many cases, the symptoms of antisocial personality disorder decrease as the person reaches middle age.

Symptoms

The classic person with an antisocial personality is indifferent to the needs of others and may manipulate through deceit or intimidation. He or she shows a blatant disregard for what is right and wrong, may have trouble holding down a job, and often fails to pay debts or fulfill parenting or work responsibilities. They are usually loners.

People with antisocial personality disorder can be aggressive and violent and are likely to have frequent encounters with the law. However, some antisocial personalities may also possess a considerable amount of charm and wit.

Common characteristics of people with antisocial personality disorder include:

• Persistent lying or stealing
• Recurring difficulties with the law
• Tendency to violate the rights of others (property, physical, sexual, emotional, legal)
• Aggressive, often violent behavior; prone to getting involved in fights
• Inability to keep a job
• A persistent agitated or depressed feeling (dysphoria)
• Inability to tolerate boredom
• Disregard for the safety of self or others
• A childhood diagnosis of conduct disorders
• Lack of remorse for hurting others
• Possessing a superficial charm or wit
• Impulsiveness
• A sense of extreme entitlement
• Inability to make or keep friends

The intensity of symptoms tends to peak during the teenage years and early 20s and then may decrease over time. It’s not clear whether this is a result of aging or an increased awareness of the consequences of reckless behavior. However, though a person with antisocial personality disorder might be less likely to commit crimes later in life, that person may continue to be an inadequate spouse or parent and an unreliable employee.