Antisocial Personality Disorder

Antisocial Personality Disorder/ Psycopathy Imagine not having a conscience, none at all, no feelings of guilt or remorse for your actions. No limiting sense of concern for the well being of strangers, friends, and even family members. Imagine never struggling with shame, not once in your life, no matter what selfish, lazy, harmful, or immoral action you have taken. Disregarding the safety and feelings of others, as well as yourself. Antisocial Personality Disorder and Psycopathy are just two of many misunderstood Psychological Disorders; being aware of the seriousness of these diseases may prevent the outcomes possible if not treated. Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is a type of chronic mental illness that causes a person’s way of thinking and reacting with others to be abnormal and often destructive. This condition is characterized by persistent disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood and continues throughout early adolescence and adulthood. There is no laboratory, blood or genetic tests that are used to diagnose Antisocial Personality Disorder. To be diagnosed the individual must see a trained mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist and be at least 18 years of age, and must have shown symptoms of Conduct Disorder during early adolescence. To be officially classified with ASDP you must show three or more signs such as failure to conform to social norms, performing acts that are grounds for arrest, deceitfulness, impulsivity or failure to plan ahead, and irritability, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults. As well as reckless disregard for safety of self or others, constant irresponsibility indicated by repeated failure, and showing lack of remorse by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another. This disorder is only diagnosed when these behaviors become persistent and very disabling or distressing. Antisocial Personality Disorder is more prevalent in males by 3 percent versus females by 1 percent of the general population. Like most personality disorders, ASPD typically decreases in intensity with age, which is known as “aging out.” However after being treated statistics show that symptoms will reoccur by age 50. One of the most frequently asked questions about Antisocial Personality Disorder by both professionals and people is whether or not it is genetic. Many also wonder if it is hereditary, such as skin, eye, and hair color; if this were the case children with parents diagnosed with ASPD would be assumed to develop this disease. Fortunately human beings are not that simple. Just like most personality disorders it is a combination of biologic/ genetic and environmental factors. Other factors include substance abuse, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and a reading or conduct disorder. Another very common question is can it be cured? Though it may be very reluctant to change, research shows there are a number of effective treatments. For example, people who receive therapy can help then change their way of thinking that leads to their maladaptive behaviors. On the other hand, trying to treat Antisocial Personality Disorder like other conditions is not effective. Programs have tried to treat people with ASPD the same as they would a person with depression or an eating disorder which only caused the condition to get worst. In those cases, emphasizing teaching the individual the skills needed to live independently and productively within the rules and limits of society has proven to be more effective. Individuals suffering from ASPD have a higher risk of abusing alcohol and other drugs and repeatedly committing crimes. People with Antisocial Personality Disorder are also vulnerable to mood problems, such as major depression, anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder; having other personality disorders, especially borderline personality and narcissistic personality disorders; self-mutilation and other forms of self harm, as well as dying from homicide, suicide, or accidents. In contrast, Psychopathy is considered to be a more severe form of Antisocial Personality Disorder. There are many of the same factors between the two conditions; a psychopath with show some of the same personality traits as a person with Antisocial Personality Disorder. However a psychopath has no way of feeling guilt or remorse, whereas a person with ASPD has the ability to feel these emotions to an extent. It is important to realize the majority of people with antisocial tendencies are not psychopaths. Psychopathy is considered one of the most difficult disorders to spot. The psychopath can appear normal, and even charming. However, underneath they lack a conscience and empathy, making them manipulative, volatile and often cause them to make criminal actions. Approximately 15 percent of male prisoners, 7 percent of female prisoners, and 1 percent of the non-incarcerated population meet the criteria for Psychopathic Personality Disorder. Yet surprisingly, the average person knows nothing about this disorder, or if they do, they associate it with violent Psychopathy, such as murders, serial killers, and mass murders. We are not aware, nor do we usually identify the number of nonviolent sociopaths around us. The presence or absence of conscience is a deep human division, arguably more significant than intelligence, race, or even gender. Research indicates that psychopaths have certain brain based differences that cause them to be less fearful and less responsive to punishment, which makes them more likely to behave impractically, take self-destructive risks and commit crimes. Some traits to Psychopathy are superficial charm, manipulative actions, shallow and short lived emotions, lack of remorse, shame, guilt or empathy, impulsivity, cruelty to animals, and lack of self control. They also process emotional stimuli differently than the average person, which limits their ability to care about the feelings of others or feel anything deeply. In addition, they are more prone to boredom and frustration, which ca lead to impulsive angry outbursts and chronic dissatisfaction. A psychopath may be raised in a loving and caring environment and still develop these characteristics.
Many people confused the terms “psychotic” and “psychopathic,” but unlike someone who is psychotic, psychopaths are not insane. They make their decisions rationally, and exercise free choice. They don’t suffer from delusions or hallucinations, and they are not afflicted with anxiety or anguish that the mentally ill usually suffer. Psychopaths are sane and rational, although their views on the world can be cold and cynical; they aren’t crazy in the sense of having diverged from the collective reality.
Psychopaths, by contrast, usually commit crimes because they like to dominate or hurt people. They enjoy the thrill of getting away with things, and they prefer to live off the labor of others. The primary difference between psychopaths and other criminals is that the psychopath is incapable of experiencing guilt, empathy, or remorse (though they may fake these feelings to look good to their parole boards). As a result, psychopaths commit far more acts of violence than most other criminals.
Most people think of cold-blooded serial killers when they contemplate psychopathic personalities, not all psychopaths are motivated by bloodlust. Most are clever scam artists, ruthless manipulators, or petty criminals. You are far more likely to lose your money or experience a disastrous relationship with a psychopath than lose your life to one.
The human mind is one of the hardest things to comprehend, and the most misunderstood factor in society. Could you grasp the idea living your life everyday suffering from a personality disorder? A personality disorder is nothing to underestimate, yet if understood properly nothing to be afraid of. To take the time and become educated could help society understand that people who suffer from a psychological disorder are still human and can be understood and receive the help that they need.

1) Stöppler, MD, Melissa Conrad. "Antisocial Personality Disorder Index by MedicineNet.com." Antisocial Personality Disorder Index by MedicineNet.com
9 Oct. 2012. MedicineNet, Inc. 09 May 2013 .

2) Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Definition." Mayo Clinic. 12 Apr. 2013. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 09 May 2013 .

3) Blair, PhD, R. JAMES R. "The British Journal of Psychiatry." Neurobiological basis of psychopathy. 10 Dec. 2001. The Royal College of Psychiatrists. 09 May 2013 .

4) Lewis, Tanya. "Why It Pays to Be a Bit of a Psychopath." LiveScience.com. 4 Mar. 2013. TechMediaNetwork.com. 09 May 2013 .