by Broken Blade

Created on: August 03, 2009

Antisocial personality disorder is a rare disorder. It is often resulted from a combination of biological, genetic and environmental causes. Men and women affected by this disease total to less than five percent of the total population. Symptoms of this disorder include a constant breaking of laws, repeated deceitfulness in relationships often using false names and conning for selfish means, impulsiveness, irritability, anger, and aggression, etc.

People with antisocial personality disorder are dangerous in that they have no regard for the rights and safety of others. They have no sense of guilt or remorse which means they could do all types of wrong and not feel guilty about it. They are more likely to abuse alcohol and many other drugs. They are also vulnerable to mood disorders. This disorder is not diagnosed in children. But the person would have had to shown the symptoms of this disorder at least since the age of 15. It can't be diagnosed if the person shows these symptoms only during when he is suffering from schizophrenia or he is bipolar going on a manic episode. If untreated the condition will worsen in many ways which could result in the individual engaging in self harm, self mutilation, or he could commit suicide or die from being murdered.

There is no exact test which can determine if a person has antisocial personality disorder. Mental health interviews are done in an attempt to spot the symptoms of antisocial personality disorder. The people screening the symptoms must have in mind the individual's culture and upbringing or else there may wind up being a bad diagnosis where a person is diagnosed as having antisocial personality disorder when he or she in fact doesn't have it.

Antisocial personality disorder is rather resistant to treatment. But there are effective treatments. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy has proven to significantly decrease the frequency of antisocial behavior in teenagers. But reflective and insightful programs tend to worsen the condition of antisocial people. In cases like these a more firm and straight up form of programming makes a more useful treatment for the condition. The programming usually teaches the individual skills that can be used to live independently and productively within society.

Medications do not treat antisocial personality disorder directly but they are helpful in fighting conditions that occur with the condition. If antisocial personality disorder is accompanied by depression in a certain individual, antidepressants would make a big difference in the person.

If a person is successfully treated with antisocial personality disorder, they will function adequately but typically before the age of 50, they experience a return of symptoms. Antisocial personality disorder though it is rare, is a disruptive, dangerous disorder. People who suffer from this are a danger to themselves and more so the people who surround them.

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