What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• ASPD (Antisocial Personality Disorder)
• Dissocial Personality Disorder (DPD)
• Sociopathy

What is Antisocial Personality Disorder? (Definition/Background Information)

• Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD or ASPD) is a long-term mental health disorder that is identified by certain antisocial traits including:
  • Reckless and aggressive behavior
  • Poor sense of morality
  • Manipulation and violation of others and their rights
  • History of crime, defiance of law, and conflict with law agencies
• The disorder has an onset during one’s childhood or teenage years that continues and progresses into adulthood; over three-fourths of the cases are observed in men
• The contributory factors for Antisocial Personality Disorder include an abusive childhood, alcoholism in the mother and/or father, and a parent or close relative with ASPD
• The disorder usually coexists with a variety of other mental health conditions such as depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, histrionic personality disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc.
• Early recognition and sustained treatment are needed for individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and the administration of medications such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers
• The prognosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder may be good, but it requires early recognition and appropriate therapy. Individuals with ASPD are increasing vulnerable for substance abuse, suicide, or being locked way in prison

Who gets Antisocial Personality Disorder? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Children or young adolescents usually develop Antisocial Personality Disorder that continues into adulthood
• The symptoms often peak around late teen years or early twenties
• The disorder is 3-times more common among men than women; it is reported that about 3% of men and 1% of women have ASPD of some magnitude
• Worldwide, all races and ethnic groups can be affected

What are the Risk Factors for Antisocial Personality Disorder? (Predisposing Factors)

Predisposing factors for Antisocial Personality Disorder include:

• Certain genetic factors, including having a parent with Antisocial Personality Disorder
• Having an alcoholic parent
• Individuals who have been the victims of child abuse
• Gender: Males have a much higher risk than females for developing the condition
• Drug addiction and alcoholism
• People in jail are at an elevated risk for developing the condition

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others. 

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Antisocial Personality Disorder? (Etiology)

The exact cause of Antisocial Personality Disorder is unknown, but arise from various environmental, social, and even genetic factors. The following factors are known to influence its development, especially in males:

• Children who were abused from a young age
• Alcoholic parent(s)
• Positive family history: Individuals with a parent or close relative, who are affected by Antisocial Personality Disorder

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder?

The signs and symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder include:

• No regard for the safety of themselves and for others
• Lack of guilt or remorse
• Getting angry frequently
• Arrogance and aggressive behavior
• Charming or good at flattery
• Manipulating others to get what they want; putting blame on others
• Setting fires and hurting animals (commonly observed in children)
• Disregard for the law
• Lying and stealing
• Substance abuse

How is Antisocial Personality Disorder Diagnosed?

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is not diagnosed in individuals under the age of 18 years. A diagnosis can be reached through the following:

• A physical examination and thorough evaluation of one’s medical history
• A psychological evaluation conducted by a mental health advisor (of one’s personality and behavior)
• A diagnosed conduct disorder prior to the age of 15
• At least three symptoms of ASPD prior to the age of 15
• Observed or documented symptoms of ASPD that do not occur during schizophrenic or manic episodes
• Presence of other coexisting psychiatric conditions

Many clinical conditions can have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Antisocial Personality Disorder?

The possible complications of Antisocial Personality Disorder include:

• The individual is prone to suicidal behavior
• Violence and destruction causing serious harm to others
• Drug abuse (often accompanied by homelessness); alcoholism
• Imprisonment; incapacity to learn from jail-time
• Complications from other comorbidities

How is Antisocial Personality Disorder Treated?

Treatments for Antisocial Personality Disorder may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy to help identify negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts
• Psychodynamic therapy:
  • It can help individuals with ASPD recognize/realize their negative thoughts or behaviors
  • The therapy can help them change these negative thoughts and behaviors
• Medication administration:
  • Antidepressants
  • Mood stabilizers
  • Antianxiety medication
  • Antipsychotic medications
• Undertaking treatment of other underlying mental and behavioral disorders
• Enlisting support of one’s family members and friends

For intensive treatment, a healthcare provider may encourage individuals with ASPD to stay at a mental health hospital for long-term therapy and rehabilitation.

How can Antisocial Personality Disorder be Prevented?

Presently, there are no specific methods to prevent the development of Antisocial Personality Disorder. Identifying individuals most at risk and seeking to alleviate the risk factors may be considered as a preventative measure. Such risk factors include: 

• Individuals diagnosed with childhood conduct disorders
• Individuals with a family history of Antisocial Personality Disorder
• Having been neglected at a young age, or from childhood
• Unstable or violent family life as a child
• Individuals who had an alcoholic parent(s)

What is the Prognosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder is generally poor, unless it is caught early and treated effectively. A presence of other comorbidities affecting the mental health can make it worse
• Individuals with the disorder have an increased risk for going to jail, substance abuse, and harboring suicidal tendencies
• With adequate and continuous treatment, the symptoms (that form during teenage/young adulthood) may get better in later years

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Antisocial Personality Disorder:

Mental health providers can help family members to cope with and protect themselves from individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder.