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$Unique_ID{BRK03475}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Antisocial Personality Disorder}
$Subject{Antisocial Personality Disorder ASP Substance Use Disorders Attention
Deficit Disorder}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
672:
Antisocial Personality Disorder
** IMPORTANT
It is possible that the main title of the article (Antisocial Personality
Disorder) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to
find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
ASP
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Substance Use Disorders
Attention Deficit Disorder
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Antisocial Personality Disorder is a mental illness which usually
manifests itself before the age of fifteen. Major symptoms may include
antisocial behavior in which there is little concern for the rights of
others. Excessive drinking, fighting and irresponsibility may also occur.
Symptoms
ASP Disorder may be characterized in early childhood by behavior such as:
lying, stealing, fighting, truancy, and resisting authority. In adolescence,
there may be excessive drinking, use of illicit drugs and, aggressive sexual
behavior. The behavior difficulties usually last into late adult life with
markedly impaired capacity to sustain lasting, close, warm, and responsible
relationships with family, friends, or sexual partners. The disorder may
result in failure to become an independent, self-supporting adult. In many
cases disrespect for authority leads to problems with the law.
The following are the diagnostic criteria for ASP Disorder:
Onset before age 15 is indicated by a history of three or more of the
following before that age:
A) Truancy at least five days per year for at least two years
B) Expulsion or suspension from school for misbehavior
C) Delinquency, arrested or referred to juvenile court because of bad
behavior
D) Running away from home overnight at least twice while living in
parental home
E) Persistent lying
F) Repeated sexual intercourse in casual relationships
G) Repeated drunkenness or substance abuse
H) Thefts
I) Vandalism
J) School grades way below expectations as indicated by IQ score
K) Chronic violations of rules at home or school
L) Initiation of fights
At least four of the following manifestations of the disorder since age
18:
A) Inability to hold a job
B) Lack of responsible parenting
C) Failure to abide by laws
D) Inability to maintain enduring sexual attachment
E) Irritability and aggressive behavior (including spouse or child
beating)
F) Failure to honor financial obligations
G) Failure to plan ahead, or lack of a fixed address for a month or more
H) Disregard for the truth, or "conning" others for personal profit
I) Recklessness, as indicated by driving while drunk or recurrent speeding
A pattern of continuous antisocial behavior in which the rights of others
are violated, is characteristic of this disorder. If a person can live for a
period of at least five years without antisocial behavior after the age of 15
the diagnosis of ASP is no longer valid.
The antisocial behavior of ASP must not be related to either Severe Mental
Retardation, Schizophrenia or manic episodes.
Causes
The cause of ASP Disorder is unknown. It may be caused by the absence of
parental discipline in the home, extreme poverty, removal from the home, and
growing up without parental figures of both sexes. Lack of educational
achievement and the use of drugs may also be contributing causes of ASP
Disorder. There may be predisposing factors to ASP such as: Attention
Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Conduct Disorder during the years before puberty.
Affected Population
ASP Disorder affects approximately 3% of American males and 1% of American
females. Males are also affected at a much earlier age than females; usually
during the early childhood years.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Antisocial
Personality Disorder. Comparisons may be useful for a differential
diagnosis:
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) usually starts before age
4, but may not be diagnosed until the child enters school. This disorder is
characterized by a very short attention span, impulsiveness, and
hyperactivity. Symptoms usually occur to varying degrees depending on
environmental factors. Symptoms typically get worse in situations requiring
sustained attention, such as listening to a teacher in a classroom, attending
meetings, or doing class assignments or chores at home. Signs of the
disorder may be minimal or absent when a person with the disorder is
receiving frequent reinforcement, in a very structured setting or in a one-
to-one situation where there are no distractions. Often, symptoms improve
with maturity, and adults with ADHD learn how to compensate for their
handicap. (For more information on this disorder, choose "ADHD" as your
search term in the Rare Disease Database).
Substance Abuse refers to the maladaptive behavior associated with
regular use of a substance that can modify mood or behavior. The continued
use of the substance (such as alcohol or drugs) when the user knows that the
substance is causing addiction, causes social, occupational, psychological,
or physical problems. The symptoms of addiction must persist for at least
one month, or occur repeatedly over a longer period of time in order to be
diagnosed as a Substance Abuse Disorder.
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of ASP Disorder is psychological counselling. In the more serious
cases psychiatric hospitalization and drug therapy may be necessary. Other
treatment is symptomatic and supportive.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through April
1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Antisocial Personality Disorder, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
National Mental Health Association
1021 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
1901 N. Fort Meyer Dr., Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 524-7600
National Mental Health Consumer Self-Help Clearinghouse
311 S. Juniper St., Rm. 902
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-2481
NIH/National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20205
(301) 443-4515 or (301) 496-1752
(800) 421-4211 (24 hrs.)
References
DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS, (DSM III-R) 3d.: R.L.
Spitzer, et al., eds; American Psychiatric Association, 1984. Pp. 342-346,
165-185.
GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ANTISOCIAL
PERSONALITY. R.J. Cadoret, et al,; J Stud Alcohol (January, 1987, issue 48
(1)). Pp. 1-8.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATTENTION PROBLEMS IN CHILDHOOD AND ANTISOCIAL
BEHAVIOR EIGHT YEARS LATER. J.L. Wallander, J Child Psychol Psychiatry
(January, 1988, issue 29 (1)). Pp. 53-61.
PARENTAL BEHAVIOR IN THE CYCLE OF AGGRESSION, J. McCord, Psychiatry
(February, 1988, issue 51 (1)). Pp. 14-23.