Antisocial Personality Disorder

“Prince Charming Among Us”

Anyone who remains in a relationship with someone displaying the classic personality traits of an individual with Antisocial Personality Disorder is destined for continuous hurt and disappointment. People with ASPD do not outwardly appear different from the norm, however with time and opportunity, they will demonstrate unacceptable and hurtful behaviors towards others.

People who come into contact with individuals having ASPD or, who try to enter into or remain in a relationship with them, (acting as their "enabler"), may experience hurt, loss of self-esteem and self-worth, depression and, in severe cases, loss of property and life, as this disorder is prevalent and consistent in the person afflicted and prognosis for change or recovery is poor. Complications for recovery often include the fact that the person has had a history of:

Having been imprisoned for unlawful behavior
Alcoholism
Drug abuse

About 3% of men and 1% of women in the population have this disorder. Estimates reveal that as high as 70 - 80% of the prison population has antisocial personality disorder. Although in later adulthood, the more outward and aggressive symptoms of ASPD may diminish and the person may not be involved in criminal activity, many of basic personality characteristics can remain, thereby affecting the individual’s role in society as well as all those who come in contact with him/her.

The cause of this disorder is unknown, but biological or genetic factors may play a role. The disorder tends to occur more often in men than in women, and in people whose predominant role model had antisocial features. The incidence of antisocial personality is higher in people who have an antisocial biological parent; parents with histories of drug and/or alcohol abuse and who physically and/or emotionally abused the individual during childhood.Abandonment may have been an issue for the person with ASPD. (See: Early Maladaptive Schemas and Early Maladaptive Schemas and Schema Domains for a better understanding of the influences of dysfunctional childhood experiences).

Outwardly, the person with ASPD may appear quite charming, a “Knight in Shining Armor”, to coin a phrase.Society’s first impression of the afflicted is that of a friendly, outgoing “Prince Charming”, who is selfless and romantic. However, superficial charm and wit can be highly developed and skillfully used for their own ends, at the expense of those who know and come in contact with the individual.

Characteristically, the person is at least 18 years of age and there is evidence of Conduct Disorder before age 15 years. (For more information, follow the aforementioned link. See also, brief description of Conduct Disorder below.) Although the diagnosis is limited to those over 18 years of age, there is always a history of antisocial behavior before age 15 demonstrated by repetitive lying, truancy, delinquency, and substance abuse.

Perhaps the following entry from Health-Center says it all:

"Mental health professionals who work with this population claim these people have an emptiness and sadness at the heart of their personality. They often begin experimenting with drugs, alcohol, and sex at a very early age. People with this disorder are at risk for substance abuse, alcoholism, vagrancy, suicide, incarceration, criminal activity, and dying a violent death. Those with antisocial personality disorder who are able to avoid incarceration are typically exploitative, irresponsible, and deceptive. As spouses, they tend to be abusive, unfaithful, dishonest, and manipulative".

While antisocial personality disorder symptoms tend to decrease as the person enters his/her thirties, basic characteristics remain that affect their lives and the lives of people whose lives they touch.

Perhaps most tragic is the fact that, were a person with "Anti Social Personality Disorder" to read this brief, they would probably not identify with the characteristics or believe they applied to them in any way.

Characteristics of an individual with Antisocial Personality Disorder

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (American Psychiatric Association, 1994, pp. 649-650) describes Antisocial Personality Disorder as a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by 3 (or more) of the following characteristics:

1) Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest. These offenses may range from repeated simple traffic and moving violations to more severe displays such as violating rights of others, by theft of property, shoplifting, physical sexual abuse, legal and financial matters, and emotional abuse or neglect.

2) Irresponsible
They have difficulty in fulfilling responsibilities and commitments such as jobs or financial obligations.

3) Lack of remorse and empathy, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another. Individuals with this disorder have no feelings of remorse for those whom they hurt. In fact, they may blame the victim for making them act in the harmful manner. They may rationalize why they have hurt people. When listening to such individuals, it is “always the other person’s fault” for the breakup of a relationship, for one’s financial situation, for lack of sexual performance, etc. The individual with ASPD is blameless.

4) Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
The lack of stability in job and home life often affords the individual a type of lifestyle with “no ties”, thereby allowing him/her to “pick up stakes” on a whim in an attempt to change one’s life and achieve grandiose goals. Such people may move to another location at a moment’s notice, only to move again when faced with the reality that personal gain and fulfillment just is “not happening”…time to move on. In fact, many such individuals are, in reality, unemployed drifters living in a fantasy world that will never come to fruition.

5) Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure.
Lies may include grandiose claims of personal achievement, lies about successes in life, their abilities, former or present employment status and/or title, prior or present criminal record or activities, and reasons for making past life choices and decisions.
Conning others may, at first, not be evident to victims of the abuser since the behavior may often be simply a series of promises, never meant to be kept, that allow the person with ASPD to engage in and enjoy a lifestyle for personal gain while at the expense of the other individual who believed in honesty and integrity that never existed.

In short, these individuals are much more concerned about their own needs than the needs of others.

6) Physical aggression, fights, assaults, irritability.

7) Reckless disregard for safety of self or others.

The Five-Factor Model

Self-absorbed

People with antisocial personality disorder are only concerned with their own needs and wants and do not care that they must hurt to achieve their goals. Because people with this disorder are so egocentric and lack empathy, they typically have few friends and fail to sustain long-term relationships.

Low Extroversion

Social isolation is the world of the person with ASPD.

Interpersonal detachment by way of physical and emotional isolation is evident in the lack of support networks, close friends and family. Pseudo-relationships are sometimes formed, especially those kept “at a distance” and requiring little or no intimacy (often Internet companions or acquaintances that live hundreds of miles away).

Low Openness

Difficulty adapting to social or personal change; low tolerance or understanding of different points of view or lifestyles; emotional blandness and inability to understand and verbalize own feelings. There is a lack of anxiety or emotion in situations that warrant such emotions.

Low Agreeableness

Such individuals are prone to cynicism and paranoid thinking.They are unable to trust even friends or family. Blame is placed for a family member’s attempt to sabotage a marriage, or undermine one’s financial stability, etc. Quarrelsomeness prevents a normal exchange of words in an attempt to resolve differences with such an individual.Hypersensitive to criticism and even positive suggestions, they are all too ready to react negatively and to pick fights, even if only verbal. They are keenly exploitative and manipulative for their own gain, lying when necessary for this purpose. Under an often “charming” exterior, they are rude and inconsiderate, with an inflated and grandiose sense of self and a pervasive arrogance; a demeanor that eventually alienates friends and limits social support. Lack of respect for social conventions can sometimes lead to troubles with the law.

Low Neuroticism

Displayed by a lack of appropriate concern for potential problems in health or social adjustment; emotional blandness, absence of concern for personal grooming and hygiene (such as brushing of teeth and taking regular showers) and a display of reckless personal behavior.

Low Conscientiousness

The individual is an underachiever, often with grandiose ideas of self-worth and potential for future employment, financial status and overall achievements.

They may possess intellectual and artistic potential, but do not use these abilities, often displaying poor academic performance relative to their ability.

There is a disregard of rules and responsibilities that can lead to trouble with the law.

A distinct inability to discipline oneself (e.g., stick to diet, exercise plan, personal grooming such as brushing of teeth, taking regular showers) even when required for medical reasons is prevalent in people with ASPD.

Personal and occupational aimlessness is evident, as displayed by an absence of personal goals, failure to obtain and hold onto employment and failure to fulfill family responsibilities, an overall consistent lack of stability in both job and home life.

There is a marked and consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations.
Debts may accrue with little or no attempt on the part of the individual to honor these debts.

Source: PTypes Personality Types

Prognosis and Recovery

The prognosis for the treatment and recovery of a person with ASPD is poor. Effective treatment is limited. Occasionally group psychotherapy can be helpful if the person can develop a sense of trust. Individual psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy can also be beneficial.

Recognizing this disorder is crucial for one’s own self-preservation. Allowing such an individual to become an important and significant part of one’s life can lead to possible troubles and heartaches.

For more information on this topic, please see Sources below.

Examples of Conduct Disorder Before Age 15

Deceitfulness or theft:

Has broken into someone else's house, building, or car.
Often lies to obtain goods or favors or to avoid obligations (i.e., "cons" others).
Has stolen items of nontrivial value without confronting a victim (e.g., shoplifting, but without breaking and entering; forgery).

Serious violations of rules

Often stays out at night despite parental prohibitions, beginning before age 13 years.
Has run away from home overnight at least twice while living in parental or parental surrogate home (or once without returning for a lengthy period).
Is often truant from school, beginning before age 13 years.

Aggression, such as:

Has been physically cruel to people.
Has been physically cruel to animals.
Has stolen while confronting a victim (e.g., mugging, purse snatching, extortion, armed robbery).
Has forced someone into sexual activity.

The disturbance in behavior of these young people causes clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

The Flip-Side of the Issue: The Enabler

If you are presently involved with a person who displays the characteristics of ASPD…
If you are allowing them to lie to you, use or abuse you….
If you are depressed because of your relationship with such a person…
If your self-esteem has plummeted to an all-time low...
You are an enabler and need to “get out NOW”.
Please learn more about Codependency and seek help for yourself. The ASPD has a poor prognosis for change, but codependency can be helped. Staying in a relationship or the company of a person with ASPD is opening oneself to constant heartache and failure.

Sources:

PTypes Personality Types: Antisocial Personality Disorder
Conduct Disorder
HealthInMind.Com: Antisocial Personality Disorder (Links to one case of antisocial personality: The Case of the Greedy Groom).
Antisocial: Health Center
Personality Disorder Information (terminology)
Antisocial Personality Disorder: American Description: Internet Mental Health
Rhyme Of The Ancient Wanderer: Cluster B Antisocial Personality Disorder
Early Maladaptive Schemas
Early Maladaptive Schemas and Schema Domains
Antisocial Personality Disorder