A person with an antisocial personality disorder lacks in empathy and can't show remorse.In everyday life and pop culture, the terms psychopath and sociopath are often used to refer to someone with APD, but they are not used in the clinical setting.APD is the diagnosis of someone who is often dangerous.Anyone on the APD spectrum can be difficult to be around and sometimes dangerous, but not all sufferers are serial killers or con artists like the movies depict.You can protect yourself and the person suffering from the disorder by learning how to recognize someone with a disorder.
Step 1: There are requirements for a clinical diagnosis of personality disorders.
In order to be diagnosed with APD, a person needs to have at least three of the DSM's other behaviors.The DSM is the official compendium of mental illnesses and their symptoms, and is used by psychologists to determine a diagnosis.
Step 2: Check to see if you have a history of criminal activity.
A person with a personality disorder will have a history of being arrested for crimes.These crimes start in adolescence and go on into adulthood.People with a personality disorder are more likely to have drug and alcohol abuse problems and may be arrested for possession or use of drugs.If the individual does not reveal his past history to you, you may want to run a background check on him.
Step 3: There is a tendency to lie or conning behavior.
People with the disorder will show lifelong habits of lying.As they grow older, this pattern of lying may turn into a form of con artistry in which they manipulate others for their own gain.They may be able to hide behind a number of different names, either for the purpose of conning people or just as another form of lying.
Step 4: Be careful for a reckless disregard for safety.
People with personality disorders don't care about the safety of themselves or others.They can either ignore a potentially dangerous situation or put themselves in danger.On a small scale, this might include driving at high speeds or starting fights with strangers, while on a more extreme scale it might mean torturing or neglecting another person.
Step 5: Pick out impulsive behavior or a failure to plan.
A lot of sufferers of the disorder show a lack of planning ability for either near-to-date or future plans.They may not be aware of a correlation between their current behaviors and long-term outcomes, such as how doing drugs now and going to jail might affect their future plans.They may make decisions without thinking.
Step 6: Don't allow physical assaults on others.
There are different types of assaults by individuals with APD, from a bar fight to kidnapping and torture.A person with a personality disorder may or may not have been arrested for abusing others.If they had Conduct Disorder earlier in life, this pattern would continue into their childhood when they abused their parents or caretakers.
Step 7: Poor work and financial ethics can be seen.
People with a personality disorder have a hard time keeping their jobs, have multiple complaints from their bosses, and may have debt.The person will not be financially stable and will spend his money badly.
Step 8: Look for a lack of compassion.
Someone who has APD will not be able to empathise with someone who he has hurt.He will rationalize his actions and not feel guilty if he is arrested for a personal crime.He won't be able to understand someone who is upset by his own behavior.
Step 9: Pick up on a pattern of disregard.
Some people with APD will be indifferent to other people and will cross personal boundaries without seeming to care.
Step 10: It's a good idea to avoid contact when possible.
It can be hard to cut ties with a close friend or family member who is suffering from a personality disorder.This can be used for your own safety.
Step 11: Appropriate boundaries need to be set.
It can be difficult to maintain a relationship with someone with a personality disorder.If you can't avoid an individual with APD, you should set clear boundaries for what is acceptable interaction with the individual.People with APD are likely to violate boundaries due to the nature of the disease.You should seek counseling or support groups if you want to manage the situation.
Step 12: It's a good idea to anticipate signs of potentially violent behavior.
If you have a relationship with an individual with APD, particularly if the individual also practices substance abuse, you need to be aware of the warning signs of violent behavior to protect yourself and others.DANGERTOME: Delusions (or violent fantasies) Access to weapons Noted history of violence Gang involvement of intent to harm others Remorselessness about harm inflicted Troublesome abuse
Step 13: You can contact the police.
If you feel like a threat of violence is imminent, contact your local police department.It is possible that you need to take steps to protect yourself.
Step 14: A qualified psychologist or psychiatrist can give you a diagnosis.
Antisocial personality disorder can be hard to spot, because there are so many possible symptoms.It may seem like someone has the disorder if he doesn't meet all of the requirements.A mental health professional can give an official diagnosis.You can see signs of the disorder by looking for a combination of symptoms over a lifetime.Someone may be diagnosed with symptoms of both anti-social personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorders.A lack of empathy is one of the characteristics of individuals who suffer from antisocial personality disorder.
Step 15: Don't offer an amateur diagnosis.
It's one thing to suspect someone has a personality disorder, but another to try to diagnose them.If the person you're worried about is a family member or a friend, you should seek professional help.Some behavior may not be related to a disorder.Some people form bad habits of living carelessly and irresponsibly because they are comfortable with living recklessly.People with a personality disorder rarely seek treatment because they don't believe there's anything wrong with them.If you are persistent, you may be able to keep the person out of jail.
Step 16: There are signs of personality disorder that can be seen across a person's lifetime.
Antisocial personality disorder is caused by a combination of biological and social factors, which manifest over a person's entire life.A person with a personality disorder can show symptoms when they are a child, but they can't be diagnosed until they turn 18.The symptoms of antisocial personality disorder do not disappear entirely, but they tend to diminish as a result of biological factors or social conditioning.It is thought that personality spectrum disorders are genetic and may never go away.
Step 17: Along with APD, watch for substance abuse.
Drug addiction or drug dependence is an underlying substance abuse problem for people with this disorder.A survey shows that people with a personality disorder are more likely to abuse alcohol and dependence.This may not always be the case.Alcohol or drug abuse is not required in individual cases of APD.
Step 18: It is rare for women to have a personality disorder.
Scientists don't know why men are more likely to have a personality disorder.According to research, men make up three out of four cases of APD.The presentation of APD may be different for men and women.Women are more likely to report having many sexual partners, running away, and gambling than men are.
Step 19: People with APD have a history of abuse.
Extensive childhood abuse is a serious risk factor for triggering the illness because it is thought to be biological.A person with a personality disorder is often abused physically and emotionally by someone close to them.They may have been neglected as children.The anti-social tendencies of the abusers are passed on to their children.
Step 20: There is a relationship between conduct disorder and personality disorders.
Conduct disorder is a form of personality disorder for children.It is indicated by bully behavior, disregard for life (mistreating animals), anger and authority problems, inability to show/feel remorse, and general poor or criminal conduct.Conduct problems can appear as early as 10 years old.Conduct disorder is considered a top predictor of a future diagnosis of personality disorders.
Step 21: There are characteristics of conduct disorder that you should watch for.
Conduct disorder includes aggression towards other children, adults, and animals.Rather than being isolated to a single event, it is behavior that is repeated or developed over time.There are some behaviors that may indicate conduct disorder.
Step 22: Understand the treatment limitations for conduct disorder.
Conduct disorder and antisocial personality disorder are not easily treated with therapy.Treatment is complicated by the tendency of conduct disorder to coincide with other disorders such as substance abuse problems, mood disorders, or psychopathy.The co-morbidity makes the treatment of these individuals more complex, requiring the involvement of psychotherapy, medication, and other approaches.Depending on the severity of the individual case, the effectiveness of a multi-pronged approach may be different.Milder cases are more likely to respond successfully to treatment.
Step 23: There is a difference between conduct disorder and oppositional defiance disorder.
The consequences of the children's actions are what they feel responsible for.They break rules and blame others for their problems.Therapy and medication can be used to treat ODD.Family cognitive behavioral therapy and giving the child social skills training are included in this treatment.
Step 24: Do not think that conduct disorder will lead to personality disorders.
If the symptoms of conduct disorder are mild, it is possible to treat it before it develops into APD.The more severe the symptoms of conduct disorder are in a child, the more likely the child is to develop it as an adult.