Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a disregard for social norms and the rights of others since age 15, as demonstrated by behaviors such as failure to conform to social norms, deceitfulness, impulsivity, irritability and aggression, recklessness, irresponsibility, and lack of remorse. The disorder typically follows a chronic unremitting course, with symptoms peaking in late adolescence. Common comorbid conditions include substance abuse disorders and depressive disorders. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, though patients often respond better in peer settings rather than isolation. Pharmacotherapy can also be used to treat comorbid conditions like anxiety, rage, and depression.

1. ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY
DISORDER
Tess Jose
intern

2. • Antisocial personality disorder is an inability to conform to the social
norms that ordinarily govern many aspects of a person’s adolescent
and adult behavior

3. • A. There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and 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 grounds
for arrest
• (2) deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
• (3) impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
• (4) irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults (5) reckless disregard for safety of self or
others
• (6) consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations
• (7) lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another
• B. The individual is at least age 18 years.
• C. There is evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15 years.
• D. The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or a manic episode.

4. Course and Prognosis
• Once an antisocial personality disorder develops, it runs an
unremitting course, with the height of antisocial behavior usually
occurring in late adolescence. The prognosis varies. Some reports
indicate that symptoms decrease as persons grow older. Many
patients have somatization disorder and multiple physical complaints.
Depressive disorders, alcohol use disorders, and other substance
abuse are common.

5. • Treatment
• Psychotherapy. If patients with antisocial personality disorder are
immobilized (e.g., placed in hospitals), they often become amenable
to psychotherapy. When patients feel that they are among peers,
their lack of motivation for change disappears. Perhaps for this
reason, self-help groups have been more useful than jails in
alleviating the disorder

6. • Pharmacotherapy. Pharmacotherapy is used to deal with
incapacitating symptoms such as anxiety, rage, and depression, but
because patients are often substance abusers, drugs must be used
judiciously. If a patient shows evidence of attention-
deficit/hyperactivity disorder, psychostimulants such as
methylphenidate (Ritalin) may be useful. Attempts have been made
to alter catecholamine metabolism with drugs and to control
impulsive behavior with antiepileptic drugs, for example,
carbamazepine (Tegretol) or valproate (Depakote), especially if
abnormal waveforms are noted on an EEG. β-Adrenergic receptor
antagonists have been used to reduce aggression.