Antisocial personality disorder is characterised by a pervasive pattern of disregard for consequences and for the rights of others.
- Individuals with antisocial personality disorder go after what they want without considering the consequences for themselves or others and without feeling any remorse or guilt.
- Medical professionals diagnose antisocial personality disorder based on symptoms, including disregard for consequences and for the rights of others and use of deceit and/or manipulation to get what they want.
- Antisocial personality disorder is difficult to treat, but cognitive-behavioural therapy and certain drugs may help lessen aggression and impulsive behaviour.
Personality disorders are long-lasting, pervasive patterns of thinking, perceiving, reacting, and relating that cause the individual significant distress and/or impair an individual’s ability to function.
Individuals with antisocial personality disorder may commit unlawful, deceitful, exploitative, and reckless acts for personal profit or pleasure and without remorse. They may:
- Justify or rationalise their behaviour (for example, they may think that “losers deserved to lose”).
- Blame the victim for being foolish or helpless.
- Be indifferent to the exploitative and harmful effects of their actions on others.
- Callously disregard the rights and feelings of others and the law.
Antisocial personality disorder occurs in a little over 3% of the general population in the United States.
It is 6 times more common among men.
The disorder is less common in older age groups, suggesting that individuals can learn over time to change their behaviour.
Other disorders are also often present. These disorders include:
- A substance use disorder.
- An impulse control disorder.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
- Borderline personality disorder.
Most individuals with antisocial personality disorder also have a substance use disorder, and about half of those with a substance use disorder have antisocial personality disorder.
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