Sample Essay On Antisocial Personality Disorder

Introduction

Antisocial Personality Disorder is said to be the most common personality disorders in terms of complexity and its impact on the society. Antisocial Personality Disorder is a mental condition whereby a person deviates from the societal and cultural expectations which later leads to impairment or personal distress. It is a condition that is characterized by violating and disregarding other people’s rights, and this is a criminal behavior. The condition is diagnosed when an individual is above the age of 18 years, unless the person has a history of the conduct disorder at the age of 15 (National Institutes of Health, 2006). Antisocial PD is a most common condition in prison settings and it is prevalent in men that it is ion women.

Causes

The causes of antisocial personality disorder are unidentified. However, it is said to be caused by environmental and genetic factors. Environmental factors such as child abuse, which is believed to be primary cause for the development of this mental condition. Apart from child abuse, children of alcoholic and antisocial parents are said to have an increased risk of suffering from this condition. The antisocial mental condition is more common in men than in women and is common to people in prison or who are always in and out of correctional facilities.

Symptoms

The indispensable characteristics of a person suffering from a personality disorder is the manifestation of antisocial behavioral patterns. These patients will always have a problem with the authorities because the disease makes them less conscious of social rules and obligations. In addition, they are aggressive and irritable and show narcissism in their personal correlations. Another characteristic of antisocial personality disorder is that they lack the guilt conscience even after committing a mistake or crime, and this makes them never to learn from their mistakes. Moreover, a person with antisocial disorder acts impulsively, and has a difficulty in finding and keeping relationships. And if they find any, the relationships are short lived because they tend to be turbulent and fiery because of the condition. Lastly, people suffering from antisocial disorder always have a criminal record or a history of being in and out of penitentiary (Grohol, 2010). People with antisocial PD may seem to be charming but in the end they turn aggressive and irritable. Therefore, antisocial personality disorder affects the behavior of an individual both socially, mentally and behavior wise and this affects their relations with the people around them. Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by antisocial behaviors in an individual and most people with this condition is not properly monitored, the person might end up in correctional facilities.

Diagnosis and Tests

According to the American Psychiatric Association, the antisocial personality disorder has experienced many changes when it comes to its diagnosis (1994). However, to accurately diagnose the antisocial personality disorder, the patient must have the following characteristics; consistent deceitfulness, failure to conform to the social standards, and acts on impulse. In addition, the person is always aggressive and shows no concern for family obligations and work. Furthermore, these people do not always care about their safety and the safety of others as well as showing no remorse for their aggressive acts (National Institutes of Health, 2006). They have no interest in their lives and the lives of others and will always do what they want as they manipulate and intimidate the people around them. Moreover, an individual should be 18 years and above to be diagnosed with this mental condition. However, individuals diagnosed with conduct disorder at a younger age are likely to be diagnosed with antisocial PD in their later life. Antisocial PD can start in the early adolescent years and continue into adulthood.

Treatment

Antisocial personality disorder is said to be one of the most difficult diseases to be treated. It is difficult to treat APD because, once a person has been diagnosed with this condition, it is very hard to cure their antisocial behavior. Most people suffering from this condition do not seek for a treatment because some of them are not aware they are sick while others just refuse. APD patients do not see their behaviors as wanting or abnormal, therefore, they do not see the aim of seeking medical attention or changing their personality. Nonetheless, the patients are always forced therapy or treatment by the court after they get on the wrong side with the authorities. There are a number of treatments for antisocial PD, for instance, psychotherapy treatments, pharmacological treatments, psychological treatments, and the psychosocial interventions. The most known and reliable treatment for APD is extensive psychotherapy from professional a therapist (Grohol, 2010). When APD patients undergo therapy, it helps them in becoming more socially responsible and exhibiting positive behaviors. Psychological treatments are used in patients with antisocial PD even through its evidence base is limited.
Although there is no reliable evidence on the use of pharmacological treatment for antisocial PD, there are several drugs that can be prescribed for this condition. Drugs such as depressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics, and antiepileptic stimulants can be used with patients suffering from antisocial PD. These drugs are not said to ultimately treat this condition, but they can be used to diminish a patient’s violent and aggressive episodes. Prevention is also the best psychosocial intervention for antisocial PD. Prevention programs can be formed to help provide intervention services for children showing antisocial PD symptoms. The possible complications of antisocial personality disorder are violence, imprisonment, drug abuse, and suicide. Most APD patients end up dying prematurely due to homelessness, incarceration, and violence.

 Treatment Reality in a Correctional Setting

Antisocial PD is most common in people in correctional facilities, and, therefore, psychosocial intervention and therapy is used for such patients. Incarcerated patients can be allowed to undergo therapy so as to help them improve their social behavior. Cognitive therapy can be used for patients in correctional facilities as it will help in the improvements in their social behavior, us a positive impact on their lives (Grohol, 2010).  People with APD account for such a large portion of the criminal population. Therefore, there is a need for treatment of interventional programs so as to help them manage this mental condition.  It is obvious that APD is an acute mental disorder with serious consequences in criminals. Therefore, criminologists should understand this mental disorder in criminals and allow them to seek medication because antisocial PD patients show criminal characteristics (Hollin, 2004).

Conclusion

In conclusion, antisocial PD is a mental condition that affects an individual’s personal and working life. People suffering from Antisocial PD tend to lack the sense of empathy, and remorse, and this makes them callous, aggressive and skeptical. Moreover, patients with APD fail to adhere to the set social norms and get in trouble with the law. APD is more prevalent in men and its starts in early adolescence, and it can proceed into adulthood if not treated. The underlying causes of APD are unknown, but it is linked to genetic and environmental causes. APD can be treated especially, if diagnosed at an early stage. Additional, there are interventions for this conditions especially for the individuals in correctional facilities. The most common treatment for this mental condition is extensive psychotherapy from a professional therapist. However, APD is still the most difficult mental condition to treat because, most patients with this condition lack remorse and therefore, they do not see the need for treatment. Antisocial personality disorder is among the most difficult personality disorders to be diagnosed and treated in psychology.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th Ed.). Washington, DC
Grohol, J. M. (2010). Antisocial personality disorder treatment. Retrieved July 29, 2010, from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx7t.htm
Hollin, C. R. (2004). The essential handbook of offender assessment and treatment. West Sussex, England: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus, 2006. Antisocial Personality Disorder.www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000921.htm