Chronicle EditorDr Sacrifice Chirisa Mental Health Matters
Antisocial personality disorder, sometimes called sociopathy, is a mental condition in which a person consistently shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others.
People with antisocial personality disorder tend to antagonise, manipulate or treat others harshly or with callous indifference. They show no guilt or remorse for their behaviour. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder often violate the law, becoming criminals.
They may lie, behave violently or impulsively, and have problems with drug and alcohol use. Because of these characteristics, people with this disorder typically cannot fulfil responsibilities related to family, work or school.
Antisocial personality disorder signs and symptoms may include:
- Disregard for right and wrong
- Persistent lying or deceit to exploit others
- Being callous, cynical and disrespectful of others
- Using charm or wit to manipulate others for personal gain or personal pleasure
- Arrogance, a sense of superiority and being extremely opinionated
- Recurring problems with the law, including criminal behaviour
- Repeatedly violating the rights of others through intimidation and dishonesty
- Impulsiveness or failure to plan ahead
- Hostility, significant irritability, agitation, aggression or violence
- Lack of empathy for others and lack of remorse about harming others
- Unnecessary risk-taking or dangerous behaviour with no regard for the safety of self or others
- Poor or abusive relationships
- Failure to consider the negative consequences of behaviour or learn from them
- Being consistently irresponsible and repeatedly failing to fulfil work or financial obligations
Adults with antisocial personality disorder typically show symptoms of conduct disorder before the age of 15. Signs and symptoms of conduct disorder include serious, persistent behaviour problems, such as:
- Aggression toward people and animals
- Destruction of property
- Deceitfulness
- Theft
- Serious violation of rules
Although antisocial personality disorder is considered lifelong, in some people, certain symptoms particularly destructive and criminal behaviour may decrease over time.
There are certain factors that seem to increase the risk of developing antisocial personality disorder, such as:
- Diagnosis of childhood conduct disorder
- Family history of antisocial personality disorder
- Being subjected to abuse or neglect during childhood
- Unstable, violent or chaotic family life during childhood
Men are at greater risk of having antisocial personality disorder than women are.
Of note is the fact that there are some factors that are under our control as humans; chaotic family lives breed this personality that will haunt the whole family. Complications, consequences and problems of antisocial personality disorder are multiple may include, for example:
- Spouse abuse or child abuse or neglect
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Being in jail or prison
- Homicidal or suicidal behaviours
- Having other mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety
- Low social and economic status, and homelessness
- Gang participation
- Premature death, usually as a result of violence
It is paramount that a psychiatrist treats these individuals before the situation gets out of hand.
It is a generally a difficult problem to manage but there are treatments that decrease the level of violence and malfunction. If you have recognised any of these symptoms see your nearest psychiatrist.
Online Reporter