FREE ESSAY ON ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER

ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER

Antisocial Personality Disorder 
About 3% of men and 1% of women in the population have
an antisocial personality disorder. There are estimates
as high as 70 - 80% of the prison population has
antisocial personality disorder. In later adulthood,
symptoms diminish and the person may not be involved
in criminal activity, though some of the basic
personality characteristics may remain.
Antisocial Personality Disorder is the most validated
personality disorder. It has received more attention
and has been studied more than any other personality
disorder. This disorder is characterized by a pattern
of disregarding and violating others' rights and safety
Common symptoms of antisocial personality disorder are: 
Defiant:
People with antisocial personality disorder do 
not feel it necessary to live by the norms and
laws for behavior dictated by society. They
regularly perform illegal acts that are grounds
for arrest. 
Lack of remorse and empathy:
Individuals with this disorder have no feelings
of remorse for those whom they hurt. In fact,
they may blame the victim for making them act 
in the harmful manner. They may rationalize why
they have hurt people. 
Pg. 2
Self-absorbed:
People with antisocial personality disorder are
only concerned with their own needs and wants 
and do not care who they must hurt to achieving
their goals. Because people with this disorder
are so egocentric and lack empathy, they
typically have few friends. 
Irresponsible:
They have difficulty in fulfilling 
responsibilities and commitments such as jobs 
or financial obligations. 
Deceitful: 
People with this disorder display a pattern of 
constant lying, use of aliases, and conning
people for personal profit or pleasure. 
Irritable and aggressive:
Individuals with antisocial personality 
disorder are frequently involved in physical
fights or assaults. They have little concern 
for the safety of themselves or others. 
Mental health professionals claim these people have an
emptiness and sadness at the heart of their personality.
They often begin experimenting with drugs, alcohol 
and sex at a very early age. People with this disorder
are at risk for substance abuse, alcoholism, suicide,
criminal activity, and dying a violent death. 
As spouses, they tend to be abusive, unfaithful,
dishonest, and manipulative. Antisocial personality 
disorder symptoms tend to decrease as the person 
enters their thirties.
Treatment:
This is very difficult disorder to treat, 
especially if the person is forced into therapy by 
family members or the law. Medications are rarely 
used. However, in some cases, medications have been 
prescribed to reduce episodes of rage. Some half-way 
houses for ex-prisoners offer group therapy but the 
drop out rate is extremely high. There are some 
programs for adolescent repeat offenders that include 
a wilderness setting and a rigorous curriculum. Their 
effectiveness is still being debated.
Bibliography
Resource
(1) American Psychiatric Association,(1994) Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV.
(2) M.D. Hallowell, Edward M. and M.D. Ratey, John J.(1994), Driven to Distraction.
Random House, Inc.
(3) Kahn, Ada P. and M.D. Fawcett, Jan,(1993) Encyclopedia of Mental Health.