Understanding ASPD

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) or Sociopathy is a mental disorder that makes a person indifferent towards right and wrong. Such people tend to antagonize, manipulate or treat others harshly while being callous about it.

Individuals suffering from ASPD often violate law. Thus, one can say many of them end up becoming criminals. They may lie, behave violently or impulsively, and may even have problems like drug abuse and alcoholism. It thus becomes imperative to say that people with this disorder typically can’t fulfill responsibilities related to family, work or school.

Understanding ASPD:

1. People with ASPD are more likely than others to have been abused as children. Studies show, many people with ASPD have been raised by neglectful, depressed or violent parents. Thus, in many cases, abuse becomes a learned behavior that perpetuates from parents to their own children. Traumatic events faced by a child disrupts the normal development of his central nervous system. Needless to say, child abuse could often result in brain injuries as well. Being a victim of child abuse, such children are often engulfed in stressful events that triggers release of hormones and other brain chemicals, which could alter the pattern of normal brain development.
2. A child who grows up in a disturbed home may enter the adult world emotionally injured. Without having developed strong bonds, he is self-absorbed and indifferent towards others. The lack of consistent discipline results in little regard for rules and delayed gratification. He lacks appropriate role models and learns to use aggression to solve disputes. He fails to develop empathy and concern for those around. People who were physically or sexually abused in childhood[ref], or who grew up in broken families where there they lacked attention and warmth from their parents, are at higher risk of developing antisocial behaviors [ref].
3. Erratic or inappropriate discipline and inadequate supervision have also been linked to antisocial behavior in children. Involved parents tend to monitor their child’s behavior by setting strict rules to be followed. Such parents check on their child’s whereabouts, and even steer them away from troubled playmates. Good supervision is less likely to be found in broken homes as parents may not be available. Antisocial parents often lack motivation to keep an eye on their children. The importance of parental supervision is also underscored in large families where each child gets proportionately less attention.
4. In case of foster care and adoption, depriving a young child of a significant emotional bond could damage his ability to form intimate and trusting relationships. Hence, adopted children are prone to develop ASPD. As young children, they may be more likely to move from one caregiver to another before settling into a final adoption. Thereby failing to develop sustaining emotional attachments to adult figures.
5. Social and home environments also contribute to the development of antisocial behavior. Parents of troubled children frequently show a high level of antisocial behavior themselves. In one large study, parents of delinquent boys were found to be alcoholic or criminals, and their homes — disrupted by divorce, separation, or the absence of a parent.
6. Social factors clearly influence the probability of an individual to have anti- social behavior or worse — suffer from ASPD. Henry et al., for example, found, lack of emotional closeness within the family and poor parenting at the age of 12 years was predictive of both violence and delinquency at the age of 17 years. Perhaps the longest longitudinal study of this phenomenon is the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development. This was able to identify childhood factors that were predictive of antisocial personality and adult convictions up to the age of 40 years. The most important childhood predictors were similar to those of Henry et al.: a convicted parent, large family size, low intelligence or school attainment, a young mother and disrupted family. Family factors may also contribute to the lack of emotion associated with psychopathy

Symptoms:

Antisocial Personality Disorder signs and symptoms may include:

• Disregard for right and wrong and lack of empathy
• Persistent lying or deceit to exploit others
• Being callous, cruel, cynical, and disrespectful of others
• Using charm or wit to manipulate others for personal gain or pleasure
• Arrogance or sense of superiority and being extremely opinionated
• Recurring problems with law and may have 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
• Unnecessary risk-taking or dangerous behavior with no regard for the safety of self or others
• Poor or abusive relationships
• Failure to consider the negative consequences of behavior or learn from them
• Being consistently irresponsible and repeatedly failing to fulfill work or financial obligations

Adults with ASPD 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 ASPD is considered lifelong, in some people, certain symptoms — particularly destructive and criminal behavior — may decrease over time. But it’s not clear whether this decrease is a result of aging or an increased awareness of the consequences of antisocial behavior.

Men with ASPD are more likely to do the following than women with ASPD would do

• Hurt and injure themselves or others, even animals
• Indulge in reckless driving
• Destroy others’ property
• Do dangerous stunts
• Make money illegally
• Indulge in unlawful activities

Women with ASPD are more likely to do the following than men with ASPD would do

• Run away from home overnight
• Frequently miss school or work
• Lie frequently
• Forge someone’s signature
• Pick a fight with partner
• Live with strangers
• Harass, threaten, or blackmail someone

Risk factors that can cause antisocial behavior:

• School and neighborhood environment
• Genetics and family history
• Poor and negative parenting practices
• Violent, unstable, or tumultuous home life

Hyperactivity and neurological problems can also cause antisocial behavior. Youth with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have been found to be at a higher risk of developing antisocial behavior.

How to Treat Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD):

The real causes of antisocial personality disorder are not known. Therefore, it has no cure yet. However, the treatment can help the affected person to have a normal behavior to lead a normal life. Though, the treatment is unique for every patient, depending on the person’s specific circumstances.

• Group psychotherapy or family psychotherapy can be helpful in younger people to teach them new skills and vocations.
• Psychotherapy can teach a person with antisocial personality disorder to become more sensitive and care for others surrounding him/her.
• Cognitive therapy tends to change sociopathic ways of thinking.
• Behavioral therapy uses punishment and rewards intended to teach and promote good behaviour.

In certain cases, medications can help treat people with ASPD. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) medications can help manage irritability and aggressiveness. SSRI medications are also helpful in cases of depression or anxiety. Treatment for ASPD is more likely to be successful if it is started early.

Theories about Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD):

Researchers have their own ideas about ASPD’s cause. One theory suggests that abnormalities in development of the nervous system may cause Antisocial Personality Disorder. Abnormalities that suggest abnormal nervous system development include learning disorders, persistent bedwetting, and hyperactivity.

A recent study showed that if mothers smoked during pregnancy, their offspring were at a risk of developing antisocial behavior. This suggests that smoking lowers oxygen levels which may result in subtle brain injury to the fetus.

Yet another theory suggests that people with ASPD require greater sensory input even for a normal brain function. Evidence shows that people with ASPD have low resting pulse rates , low skin conductance and they even show decreased amplitude on certain brain measures. That’s why people with ASPD, who have chronically low arousal, may seek out potentially dangerous or risky situations to raise their arousal to more optimal levels to satisfy their craving for excitement.

Brain imaging studies have also suggested that abnormal brain function is a cause of antisocial behavior. Likewise, the neurotransmitter serotonin has been linked with impulsive and aggressive behavior. Both the temporal lobes and the prefrontal cortex help regulate mood and behavior. It could be that impulsive or poorly controlled behavior stems from a functional abnormality in serotonin levels or in these brain regions.

Having ASPD doesn’t mean you have to be stuck. Reach out, there’s help out there.