What Is Antisocial Personality Disorder?

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a mental disorder characterized by "consistent disregard and violation of the rights of other people". People with antisocial personality disorder are impulsive and aggressive, they take whatever they want and are indifferent to other people's concerns.

What Is Antisocial Personality Disorder?

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a mental disorder characterized by "consistent disregard and violation of the rights of other people", with symptoms often beginning to appear from the age of 15. However, diagnosing antisocial personality disorder is only introduced when the individual has reached 18 years of age.

People with antisocial personality disorder are often seen as impulsive and aggressive, they take whatever they want and are indifferent to other people's concerns. Lying and cheating are part of them - they use fabricated stories in a sincere tone to achieve their goals. In particular, they do not feel remorse or concern about the consequences their actions might cause.

Research shows that the majority of adults with antisocial personality disorder have had conduct disorders since childhood, this rate is especially higher if conduct disorder is accompanied by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Patterns of norm-violating behavior in an adult with an antisocial personality disorder that has been characterized by less severe transgressions in the past, such as skipping school or running away from home, destroying things, or bullying others.

Signs And Symptoms

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5 TR), individuals can be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder if they have at least three of the following seven consistent symptoms:

1. Failure to conform to social norms concerning lawful behaviors, as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest.

2. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure.

3. Impulsivity or failure to plan.

4. Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults.

5. Reckless disregard for the safety of self or others.

6. Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations.

7. Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.

When diagnosed, the individual must be at least 18 years old and have evidence of conduct disorder that began before age 15. One point to note is that the occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

WARNING: The symptoms listed are for reference only. If you suspect that you have antisocial personality disorder, see a psychologist for an accurate diagnosis.

Is Antisocial Personality Disorder Common?

The prevalence of antisocial personality disorder in the general population is estimated at 2% to 3%, and it is especially high in prison populations of both sexes. In general, men are 3 to 5 times more likely to have antisocial personality disorder than women, which may be related to alcohol use. The rate of this disorder in people with alcohol use disorder is quite high, ranging from 16% - to 49%. In addition, homelessness is also associated with the presence of antisocial personality disorder, which can be due to the inability to pay rent, maintain a job, and substance use disorders.

Antisocial personality disorder is often associated with other mental disorders such as substance use disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, gambling disorders, and other personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Causes Of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Genetic Factors

Research shows that genetic factors are one of the factors contributing to personality disorders in general, including antisocial personality disorder. It is estimated that 20% of people with antisocial personality disorder have a first-degree relative with this disorder. Research on twins also shows that the rate of inheritance of antisocial personality disorder is high, with a common heritability of 51%.

Biological Factors

Medical conditions, especially those that cause nerve cell damage (such as head trauma, cerebrovascular diseases, cerebral tumors, epilepsy, endocrine disorders, heavy metal poisoning, etc.), are often related to personality disorders.

In addition, brain damage in children while still in the womb due to the mother's exposure to cigarette smoke, drug use, or maternal starvation is also considered a contributing factor to antisocial behavior. Chemicals produced by cigarettes and lower oxygen levels in the uterus can contribute to neuronal injury in the developing fetus.

Personality Factors

Personality is a complex synthesis of biological, psychological, social, and developmental factors; therefore, each personality is unique, even in those affected by personality disorders. In particular, a person's temperament generally refers to consistent biologically based individual differences in behavior and is relatively independent of learning.

Some temperamental characteristics in the personality development process of people with antisocial personality disorder include:

• Low harm avoidance: Inhibiting or suppressing behaviors that may result in punishment or non-reward. People with antisocial personality disorder have low harm avoidance - meaning they do not suppress their behavior, regardless of the consequences.

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• Novelty seeking: An inherent desire to initiate novel activities likely to generate reward signals. People with antisocial personality disorder have high rates of novelty-seeking behavior.

• Low reward dependence level: The desire to perform behaviors to receive social rewards. People with antisocial personality disorder have a low rate of reward dependence.

• Perseverance: The ability to maintain efforts and continue behaviors despite obstacles, frustration, and fatigue. People with antisocial personality disorder have low persistence and easily give up their goals when faced with challenges.

Family - Social Factors

Family-social factors also contribute to the development of personality disorders in general. Parenting styles are one of the factors that can lead to antisocial personality disorder. Adult antisocial personality traits are closely related to negative childhood experiences, such as neglect or abuse by parents. It is estimated that up to 14 to 21% of children who are abused by their parents are affected by antisocial personality disorder as adults.

Peer relationships in children and adolescents also influence personality development. Adolescents with characteristics of conduct disorder tend to hang out with peers of similar qualities, with peer conflict identified as a key mechanism for future antisocial behavior.

In addition, exposure to violence through television, music, and video games is also a concern for researchers. Statistics show that people most likely to develop antisocial personality disorder have been exposed to violence through the media.

Treatment Of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Medication

Some medications used to treat some of the symptoms of antisocial personality disorder include anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers.

WARNING: Be extremely cautious when using medication and only use medication with the advice and prescription of a clinician.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be useful in helping people with antisocial personality disorder better understand their behavior and change maladaptive thinking patterns. However, the effect usually only appears after a long course of treatment.

In addition, group and family therapy as well as mentalization-based therapy - to change the ability of people with antisocial personality disorders to perceive their mental states and those around them - have also been shown to be effective for antisocial personality disorder.

If you feel you are having symptoms of antisocial personality disorder, go to a medical facility for a timely examination and diagnosis, or contact the Vietnam - France Psychology Institute via Hotline: 0979.158.463 for specific advice. Early intervention is key to improving health and quality of life.

References:

[1] Tâm bệnh học. Đặng Hoàng Minh (chủ biên)

[2] Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders _ DSM-5-TR. 

[3] What Is Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)?. https://www.verywellmind.com/antisocial-personality-disorder-2795566

[4] Antisocial Personality Disorder. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546673/

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