Antisocial Personality Disorder

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Introduction

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is one of the broader categories of personality disorders, which is described as the violation of the rights of other people by an individual suffering from this disorder. It involves personal experiences of an individual which he/she endures during their life, and which are also responsible for building their behavior which results in harming others. This disorder is generated among the individuals over a certain period of time, and the individual tend to possess inflexible and pervasive behavior (Messina, Wish, Hoffman, & Nemes, 2002). Most commonly, this is found among adolescents or even in the early part of the adulthood of an individual. Individuals having antisocial personality disorder may well be charming by nature; however, normally they possess a very aggressive and irritable nature, and also tend to be very irresponsible. There are also complaints of such people committing suicide. Therefore, it also becomes difficult for other people to understand them because of their manipulative tendencies.

Diagnostic Characteristics of ASPD

There include several characteristics through which antisocial personality disorder can be found in an individual. An individual having difficulty in conforming to the social norms and also tend to represent unlawful behaviors since age of 15 are normally said to possess antisocial personality disorder. In addition to that, the person will also repetitively tell false information to others in order to gain personal pleasure or profit. The persons also fail to plan for their future, and tend to show aggressive behavior towards others (Corff, & Toupin, 2010). They also do not hesitate to physically assault to others or provide them physical harm. It is most commonly seen in the individuals having age of 18 years of lesser. The individuals are also found to be remorseless for their acts and actions with the others. These all characteristics help in diagnosing antisocial personality disorder in an individual.

Etiology (Causes) of the Disorder

Personality of an individual is a combination of his/her emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, which makes them unique from the other people. Through this way, the individuals understand, view and relate them with the outer world and environment (Walters, & Chlumsky, 1993). The main cause of antisocial personality disorder is based on two factors, which include inherited tendencies and environment.

Inherited Tendencies

Inherited tendencies, also known as genes, are the aspects which are supposed to be passed on an individual through their parents. Such examples of inherited tendencies include possessing ...