Antisocial Personality Disorder Essay

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Antisocial Personality Disorder Introduction Each of us has a personality. It is a set of unique expression that characterizes and influences how we behave. It also shapes our emotions, thoughts and interactions. According to Comer (2015) our personalities are flexible and as we learn from experiences, we interact with our surroundings and try various responses to see which one fits us best and is more effective. This type of flexibility is lacking in persons who suffer from personality disorders. They possess personality traits that are much more extreme and dysfunctional than other people in their own cultural environment which leads problems and psychological pain for themselves and others around them. Discussion of the Diagnostic Criteria …show more content…

B. The individual is at least age 18 years. C. There is evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15 years. D. The occurrence of antisocial behaviour is not exclusive during the course of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. (Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder 2017) Aggressive acts that are required to defend oneself or someone else are not considered to be evidence of having Antisocial Personality Disorder. Course of Disorder The important feature of antisocial personality disorder is a blatant and pervasive pattern of violation of the rights of other persons. The onset of this pattern is at childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. This particular pattern is also referred to as psychopathy, sociopathy or dissocial personality disorder. In order for a person to be diagnosed with ASPD, the individual must have a history of symptoms of conduct disorder 15 years and must be at least 18 years old. Conduct disorder means the individual must have a repetitive and persistent pattern of violating the rights of others around him; for example, aggression to persons and animals, destruction to property, deception, theft and serious violation of rules. The behavour might become less evident as the individual becomes …show more content…

Both environmental and genetic factors have been questioned. Genetic factors have been suspected since the incidence of antisocial behaviour is higher in people with an antisocial biological parent. The environment is also contributes to the factor of antisocial behaviour. Studies have shown that a person whose role model had antisocial behaviour, is more than likely to develop the same behavour. According to Psychology Today (2017) Approximately 3 percent of men and one percent of women have antisocial personality disorder. A much higher percentage exist among the prison population. Antisocial personality disorder appears to be associated also with low socioeconomic strata and urban settings. Concerns have been raised that the diagnosis may at times be misapplied to individuals in settings in which seemingly antisocial behavour may be part of a protective survival strategy. In assessing antisocial traits, it is helpful for the clinician to consider the social and economic context in which the behaviour

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