Antisocial Personality Disorder Psychopaths or Survivors

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Psychopaths or Survivors

Thomas Bird

Montana State University-Billings

Overview

This paper will focus on Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), including the main features, diagnostic criteria, biological factors, and psychosocial factors of this disorder. The treatment and current understanding of ASPD causes and methods currently being practiced, as well as preventative models will also be discussed. In conjunction with these contextual focuses, this paper will also include a personal reflection of other possible causes including a theory of prevention.

Main Features

When considering any approach of this disorder, psychopathy needs to be explored, for if no other reason, their behavior patterns seem to be very closely related. Criminality will also need to be referred to as an equally overlapping symptom of ASPD and psychopathy. While antisocial personality disorder and psychopathic personalities are at elevated risks of becoming criminals, they cannot be considered a predetermination of criminality. However, criminality is one of the diagnostic criteria found in the DSM-IV-TR for ASPD; although this criterion is considered to be in correlation of the IQ scores of a specific group. This disorder is pervasively resistant to treatment, especially when the manipulative nature of the individuals presenting with ASPD is considered. Prevention is now being focused on, as the best, chance for successful intervention in these cases with limited but growing consistent results.

Diagnostic criteria

Antisocial personality disorder has many disturbing features. The DSM-IV-TR lists the diagnostic criteria for ASPD as: A pervasive pattern of disregard for and the violation of the rights of others, occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three or more of the following.

1. Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are...