Antisocial Personality Disorder

Antisocial Personality Order is also termed Sociopathy. It is a mental disorder observed in a person who consistently goes no regard for right or wrong options and ignores the right feelings of others. People with this disorder tend to manipulate and antagonize other people and behave harshly against them. They don’t have any guilt or remorse for their actions. People with this behaviour can also turn up into criminals violating the laws. They can even be drug-addicted or consume alcohol daily. People with such behaviour stay away from family and work responsibilities as well. 

Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder 

• Telling persistent lies or deceit to exploit others
• Maintaining poor or abusive relationships
• Failing to plan for the future
• Lack of empathy towards others
• Lack of remorse about harming others
• Recurring problems with the law or criminal behavior 
• Being highly aggressive towards others
• Unnecessary risk-taking behaviour with no regard for safety of self or others
• Being callous, cynical and disrespectful towards others
• Serious symptoms of this disorder include aggressiveness towards other individuals or animals. They involve in the destruction of property, theft and serious violation of rules
• The other noticeable symptoms are illegal acts, irritability, impulsivity, aggressiveness, lack of remorse, reckless disregard for safety, consistent irresponsibility, multiple arrests, multiple issues at the job leading to job changes, conning others, conduct disorder in adolescence or childhood- not respecting or following the regular norms of the society.

This personality disorder is observed lifelong in few people, and it even indulges criminal behaviour. 

The individual might slowly change their behaviour or attitude with age observing the consequences of antisocial behaviour. 

People with this behaviour seek help on their own unlike approaching a doctor consultation. Few people might approach a friend or a relative and seek advice from mental health professionals. 

The causes of antisocial personality disorder remain unknown in many cases. This behaviour can be attained in childhood or the middle, shaped through the interaction of inherited tendencies and other external environmental factors. Even genetic abnormalities may make one vulnerable to antisocial personality behaviour and life situations may trigger its further development. 

Certain factors increase the risk of antisocial personality behaviour. These include:  

• Unstable, violent family since childhood
• Subjected to abuse during the childhood
• Family history of antisocial personality disorder or other personality or mental health disorders
• Most men are prone to this disorder when compared to women. 

Complications involved in antisocial personality disorder 

The complications with this disorder may include: 

• Problems with alcohol or substance abuse. 
• Homicidal or suicidal behaviours
• Premature death as a result of violence
• Spouse abuse or child abuse or neglect
• Possessing mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression 
• Having homicidal or suicidal tendencies

Facts

• Treatment help in managing the condition well and the cure is not known
• This disorder can be diagnosed by a mental health professional
• It can last for several years or even lifelong
• It is common for individuals aged 18-35 years
• It is more common in males than females
• Family history may increase the likelihood

Prevention 

There is no sure way to prevent antisocial personality disorder. Because in most of the cases observed, the antisocial behaviour seems to have developed from the roots of childhood. Parents, teachers and paediatricians may observe the early warning signs in many cases and try to identify and diagnose those who are at major risk. They usually offer early attention to those children who show signs of conduct. 

Treatment for Antisocial Personality Disorder 

 Antisocial Personality Disorder treatment is difficult due to several reasons. Because people with these disorders rarely seek treatment on their own. The people who receive treatment show some type of altercation with the legal system. 

People with an antisocial personality disorder often come in contact with criminal justice whereas the research suggests incarceration and other punitive measures are largely ineffective and people are unresponsive to the treatment. Psychotherapy can help individuals in gaining their insight into behaviours and change maladaptive thought patterns. Effective results can be achieved during long-term treatment. Even group and family therapy and mentalization therapy targets the ability to recognize and help in recognizing the individual’s mental state. Medications used to treat antisocial personality disorder includes antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers etc.