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Antisocial Personality Disorder also known as sociopathy is as Mayo Clinic describes it "Is a mental health condition in which a person consistently shows no regards for right and wrong." You can usually tell when people have this if they act cruel and evil and never regret their actions.

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Causes and Types of People That Might be More Likely to Develop it

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Causes and Types of People That Might be More Likely to Develop it

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There is no known cause for it but as Mayo Clinic lists it could be more likely to develop if a person had an abusive, neglectful, violent, or unstable childhood.

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Overview

Antisocial personality disorder, sometimes called sociopathy, is a mental health condition in which a person consistently shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others. People with antisocial personality disorder tend to purposely make others angry or upset and manipulate or treat others harshly or with cruel indifference. They lack remorse or do not regret their behavior.

People with antisocial personality disorder often violate the law, becoming criminals. They may lie, behave violently or impulsively, and have problems with drug and alcohol use. They have difficulty consistently meeting responsibilities related to family, work or school.

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Symptoms

Symptoms of antisocial personality disorder include repeatedly:

Ignoring right and wrong.

Telling lies to take advantage of others.

Not being sensitive to or respectful of others.

Using charm or wit to manipulate others for personal gain or pleasure.

Having a sense of superiority and being extremely opinionated.

Having problems with the law, including criminal behavior.

Being hostile, aggressive, violent or threatening to others.

Feeling no guilt about harming others.

Doing dangerous things with no regard for the safety of self or others.

Being irresponsible and failing to fulfill work or financial responsibilities.

Adults with antisocial personality disorder usually show symptoms of conduct disorder before the age of 15. Symptoms of conduct disorder include serious, ongoing behavior problems, such as:

Aggression toward people and animals.

Destruction of property.

Lying and dishonesty.

Theft.

Serious violation of rules.

Antisocial personality disorder is considered a lifelong condition. But in some people, certain symptoms ― particularly destructive and criminal behavior ― may decrease over time. It's not clear whether this decrease is a result of the effect aging has on their mind and body, an increased awareness of the impact that antisocial behavior has had on their life, or other factors.

When to see a doctor

People with antisocial personality disorder are not likely to seek help on their own. If you suspect that a friend or family member may have the condition, you might gently suggest that the person seek help from a mental health provider and offer to help them find one.

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Causes

Personality is the combination of thoughts, emotions and behaviors that makes everyone unique. It's the way people view, understand and relate to the outside world, as well as how they see themselves. Personality forms during childhood. It's likely shaped by inherited genes as well as life situations and experiences.

The exact cause of antisocial personality disorder isn't known, but:

Genes may make you vulnerable to developing antisocial personality disorder - and life situations, especially neglect and abuse, may trigger its development.

Changes in the way the brain functions may have resulted during brain development.

Risk factors

Certain factors seem to increase the risk of developing antisocial personality disorder, such as:

Diagnosis of childhood conduct disorder.

Family history of antisocial personality disorder or other personality disorders or mental health conditions.

Experiencing abuse or neglect during childhood.

Unstable or violent family life during childhood.

Men are at greater risk of having antisocial personality disorder than women are.

Complications

Complications and problems resulting from antisocial personality disorder may include:

Spouse abuse or child abuse or neglect.

Problems with alcohol or drugs.

Being in jail or prison.

Attempting suicide or trying to kill someone else.

Having other mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.

Financial, educational or social problems.

Dying early, usually because of violence.

Prevention

There's no sure way to prevent antisocial personality disorder from developing in those at risk. Because antisocial behavior is thought to have its roots in childhood, parents, teachers and pediatricians may be able to see early warning signs. It may help to try to identify those most at risk, such as children who show signs of conduct disorder, and then offer early intervention.

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Antisocial personality disorder - Symptoms and causes

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This includes ignoring right and wrong, lying, treating others harshly, and not caring about hurting others. Charm or wit is used to manipulate others.

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Prevention and Warning Signs for Sociopathy

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Prevention and Warning Signs for Sociopathy

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There is no way of making Sociopathy going away and the only prevention of it is finding kids that act like they are developing it and intervene before it can fully develop

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There is no known treatment and the only way to calm it is talk therapy and/or support from family

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Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others.

Causes

The cause of antisocial personality disorder is unknown. Genetic factors and environmental factors, such as child abuse, are believed to contribute to the development of this condition. People with an antisocial or alcoholic parent are at increased risk. More men than women are affected.

Intentional fire-setting and cruelty to animals during childhood are linked to the development of antisocial personality.

Symptoms

A person with antisocial personality disorder may:

Be able to act witty and charming

Be good at flattery and manipulating other people's emotions

Break the law repeatedly

Disregard the safety of self and others

Have problems with substance misuse

Lie, steal, and fight often

Not show guilt or remorse

Often be angry or arrogant

Treatment

Antisocial personality disorder can be difficult to treat. Typically, individuals with this condition don't seek treatment on their own.

Behavioral treatments, such as those that reward appropriate behavior and have negative consequences for negative behavior, may work in some people. Talk therapy has also been shown to possibly help. Treating co-morbid conditions such as ADHD, depression, and PTSD can also be helpful.

Get Help

Learn how to talk about mental health to help you speak to a loved one who you may think is experiencing any mental health concerns.

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Antisocial personality disorder, sometimes called sociopathy, is a mental health condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others. This behavior is commonly considered criminal.

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4.5% Prevalent in adults

More common in men than women

80-90% of the prison population has been diagnosed with this or a smaller version of it

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Sociopathy is unable to be treated

Sociopathy is the same as Avoidant Personality Disorder

Sociopathy is an Excuse for bad Behavior

People With Sociopathy are "Psychopaths"

Sociopathy is unpreventable

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The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab

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Test your knowledge of antisocial personality disorder by checking out these myths. Is it sociopathy? What about psychopathy? Could it be both? Learn more here.

Individuals with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), informally known as sociopaths, have a habit of behaving without considering the rights of others. Although people may refer to loners as being antisocial, an official diagnosis of ASPD must come from a health care professional.

Some individuals with ASPD may commit violent crimes. However, it is a misconception to believe that all people with antisocial personality disorder are violent criminals. People with ASPD usually need encouragement to seek help. Thus, it is important to understand antisocial personality disorder myths.

Popular facts and myths about antisocial personality disorder are discussed below.

Myth #1: Antisocial personality disorder is untreatable.
Fact: Treatment for antisocial personality disorder is difficult, but can be effective.
Personality disorders, like ASPD, cannot be cured, but treatment can improve symptoms. Treatment options for antisocial personality disorder include medications and therapy. The medications prescribed most often for antisocial personality disorder are aggression-reducing medications, like phenytoin, and mood stabilizer medications, like quetiapine. Antisocial personality disorder therapy treatments attempt to help individuals with ASPD relate to others.

Therapies for antisocial personality disorder include:

Cognitive therapy

Behavioral therapy

Group therapy

Family therapy

One hindrance to successful treatment can be co-occurring disorders like substance use or alcohol abuse. People with ASPD have a high rate of co-occurring substance abuse and addiction.

Myth #2: Antisocial personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder are the same.
Fact: Antisocial personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder are two different personality disorders.
Antisocial personality disorder is a cluster B personality disorder, while avoidant personality disorder is a cluster C personality disorder. The clusters, of which there are three, separate personality disorders based on differences.

Social interactions are difficult for both antisocial personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder. A person with ASPD has trouble with relationships because they act without considering the feeling with others. By contrast, a person with avoidant personality disorder avoids intimacy and relationships out of fear that they will be judged or rejected.

Related Topic: Avoidant personality disorder treatment

Myth #3: Antisocial personality disorder is an excuse for poor behavior.
Fact: Individuals with antisocial personality disorder know the difference between right and wrong.
People with ASPD have a working conscience but may choose to ignore it. Thus, ASPD is not an excuse for bad behavior. The main behavior patterns associated with antisocial personality disorder are:

Misrepresentation of self for gain

Impulsivity

Breaking the law

Aggression

Impenitence

Financial irresponsibility

Recklessness

Promiscuity

Many individuals with ASPD do end up in trouble with the law. The rate of criminal behavior among those with antisocial personality disorder is high. However, not all criminals have ASPD.

Myth #4: Individuals with ASPD are psychopaths.
Fact: A person who is ASPD can be described as a sociopath.
First of all, psychopathy and sociopathy are not psychiatric diagnoses. The word "psychopath" is commonly used to refer to someone who is amoral and antisocial. By contrast, the word "sociopath" is used to describe someone with antisocial behaviors.

Psychopathy is sometimes used to describe a person with severe sociopathy. The main difference between a psychopath and a sociopath is that sociopaths and people with ASPD have a working conscience.

Psychopaths have these traits:

Lack of remorse

Ruthlessness

Recklessness

Narcissism

Fake charm

Manipulativeness

Dishonesty

Insensitiveness

Individuals with antisocial personality disorder do have some of these psychopathic traits. However, antisocial personality disorder is the psychiatric diagnosis closest to sociopathy.

Sociopaths have these traits:

Manipulativeness

Dishonesty

Insensitiveness

Weak conscience

Myth #5: Antisocial personality disorder cannot be prevented.
Fact: Early identification of antisocial behaviors can lead to intervention and possible prevention of ASPD in some individuals.
Antisocial personality disorder can be prevented in some individuals. Scientists studied young children with a history of antisocial behavior. Intervention reduced the likelihood that those children would still have antisocial characteristics during their teenage years. The intervention also improved reading ability.

Interestingly, the intervention to prevent ASPD did not involve the child with antisocial behaviors. In the study, parents were the solution to how to prevent antisocial personality disorder. Parents of antisocial children were provided with training that included:

How to play

What are appropriate rewards

How to give praise

How to set limits

How to deal with misbehavior

The scientists observed that the trained parents provided better supervision and expressed warmer emotions than the untrained parents. Thus, parenting intervention can prevent ASPD.

If you or someone you are close to is affected by a drug or alcohol addiction and a co-occurring mental health condition, please call The Recovery Village. We have comprehensive treatment plans that can help you gain control of your life, and get you on the road to success.

Cami Renzoni is a creative writer and editor for The Recovery Village. As an advocate for behavioral health, Cami is certified in mental health first aid and encourages people who face substance use disorders to ask for the help they deserve. Read more

Khalifa, Najat; et al. " Pharmacological interventions for antiso[...]personality disorder." Cochrane Systematic Review - Intervention, August 4, 2010. Accessed June 1, 2019.

Walker, Candace; et al. "Treating Impulsivity, Irritability, and Aggression of Antisocial Personality Disorder with Quetiapine." International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, October 1, 2003. Accessed June 1, 2019.

Cleveland Clinic. " Antisocial Personality Disorder: Management and Treatment." November 20, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2019.

Burgess, Lana. " What are cluster B personality disorders? " Medical News Today, January 4, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2019.

Tartakovsky, Margarita. " Surprising Myths & Facts About Antis[...]Personality Disorder." Psych Central, July 8, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2019.

Smith, Kathleen. " Antisocial Personality Disorder." PsyCom December 5, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2019.

National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (UK). " Antisocial Personality Disorder: Treatme[...]ment, and Prevention." 2010. Accessed June 1, 2019.

Venosa, Ali. " Psychopath Definition May Be Different T[...]ts About Psychopaths." Medical Daily, November 11, 2015. Accessed June 1, 2019.

Hermann, Henry R. "Psychopathy." Dominance and Aggression in Humans and Other Animals The Great Game of Life, 2017. Accessed June 1, 2019.

Tracy, Natasha. " Psychopathic Personality and How It Develops." HealthyPlace, May 31, 2019. Accessed June 1, 2019.

LeBano, Lauren. " Early Intervention May Prevent Antisocia[...]Personality Disorder." Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Learning Network, March 28, 2014. Accessed June 1, 2019.

Scott, Stephen, et. al. "Early Prevention of Antisocial Personality: Long-Term Follow-Up of Two Randomized Controlled Trials Comparing Indicated and Selective Approaches." The American Journal of Psychiatry, June 1, 2014. Accessed June 1, 2019.

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.

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5 Myths and Misconceptions About Antisocial Personality Disorder Debunked

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Individuals with antisocial personality disorder usually behave without considering other people. Learn the truth about this condition with these myths and facts.

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Charlie Huffman