Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by pattern of disregard for the safety & rights of others without feeling remorse.
They are unreliable, manipulative, incapable of lasting relationships & unable to conform to social norms.
As thought previously, it is not synonymous with criminality.
Epidemiology:
3% in general population
Male to female ratio: 2:1 to 7:1
Most common in Younger Adults.
More common in Urban areas & Lower socio-economic groups.
Aetiology:
# Biological :

• Genetic factors strongly contribute.
• Antisocial personality in males is often associated with ‘hysteria’ in female of same family.
• Reduced brain serotonin activity (Reduced 5-HIAA in CSF) is also seen.
# Early development:
• Parental deprivation, Inconsistent maternal care & Family violence can lead to development of Antisocial Personality Disorder.
# Social Determinants:

• Antisocial Personality can be due to normal adaptation to an abnormal environment.
(However, early onset indicate that it can not be attributed to cultural conflicts and social determinants.)
Clinical Features:
• Reckless behavior unaffected by punishment is typical of antisocial individuals.
• Lack sense of responsibility.
• An easy going hedonistic attitude may be interrupted by rage, cruelty & violence.
• Lying, truancy, running away from home, thefts, fights, substance abuse & illegal activities may be typical experiences, beginning in early childhood.
• Reduced ability to anticipate the negative consequences of behaviour.
• Frequent suicide threats & attempts.

• ICD-10 criteria:( Dissocial P.D.) F60.2
1.Unconcern of the feelings of others.
2.Disregard for social norms, rules & obligations.
3.Incapacity to maintain enduring relationships, though having no difficulty in establishing them.
4.Very low tolerance to frustration & a low threshold for discharge of aggression.
5.Incapacity to experience guilt & to profit from experience/ punishment.
6.Marked proneness to blame others.
Comorbidity:
• Depression
Differential Diagnosis:
• Bipolar disorder (mania)
• Mental Retardation (learning difficulties)
• Substance Abuse
• Atypical schizophrenic disorder (pseudopsychopathic schizophrenia)
• Temporal lobe syndrome
• Limbic lobe syndrome
• Borderline personality disorder
• Histrionic personality disorder
Course & Prognosis:
• Most pronounced in early adult years & gradually decreases with age.
• Professional motivation & establishing a stable couple or partnership may have a beneficial effect.
• Depression & hypochondriasis emerge when rage and aggression are abandoned.
Treatment :
For anxiety, Depression, rage or aggression:
• SSRIs
• Lithium
• Valproic acid
• Carbamazepine
If any evidence of ADHD:
• Methylphenidate
*Benzodiazepines should be used with caution as they might cause behavioral disinhibition.
Reference:
- New Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry(2nd edition).
- ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders.
I’m writing a paper on this for my psychology class.
Good for himself knowledge and precure