Antisocial personality disorder: therapy/treatment paper

According to Hare and Hart (2005) Antisocial personality disorder is one of the mental disorders which constitute a large segment of mental disorder patents.

This disorder begins right from childhood and continues through adolescent to adulthood.  The main feature of the disorder as outlined by the American Psychiatric Association is continuous disregard and violation of other rights with deceit and manipulation seen as key features of the disorder.

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In the diagnoses of the disorder, it is usually considered accurate to take diagnostic materials from others and not specifically from the individual themselves. Individual with this disorder may exhibit symptoms ranging from lying and stealing, difficulties in obeying the law, violation of rights or others, abuse of substance, aggressive behavior and involvement in fights, lack of remorse, and many others.

The disorder is also referred to as sociopathic personality disorder. In this paper we are going to explore the different therapies or treatment that have been done or continue to be done regarding the disorder.

Symptoms and diagnosis

There are many theories that try to explain the cause of this disorder but prominent genetics and environment factor have been used to explain the occurrence of the disease. The genetic theory asserts that the disease can be passed on from parents to children. It is a part of the nature and nurture debate.

Environmental factors including the patterns of relationship are related to be a leading cause of the disorder. Other theories suggest abnormalities in the development of the nervous system while another theory assert that people with this disorder have a higher sensory input for normal functioning of the brain. These theories attribute the cause to brain functions.

According to the DSM-IV criteria diagnoses of the disorder requires presence of three or more of the following symptoms:

· Lack of conformation with respect to the social norms and laws with repeating acts leading to arrests

· Deceit with repeated lying, aliases, conning just for personal pleasure or profit

·  Impulsivity

·  Irritability and aggressive behavior resulting in increased physical fights

·  Disregarding safety for others and for self

·  Irresponsibility and lack of consistent work behavior

· Un-remorsefulness resulting to indifferent rationalizing, mistreatment of others

According to the National Comorbidity Survey, it has been documented that using DSM-IV criteria, the disorder is prevalent in about 3% of males and about 1% of females.  However the prevalence has been found higher in some populations like prisoners including non-violent offenders and in substance abuse rehabilitation centers.

Although most of the diagnoses have been found in adulthood, there are three critical tools or markers which can be used to assess children with the disorder. They include bedwetting, abusing animals and pyromania.

Case study

For his entire life, john has been incapable of loving which means he has never loved anyone including himself. His childhood proved to be less ideal than others and his poor background could have given way to his current unhealthy emotions.

However John is John and a John of many faces. He is a brilliant and manipulative John who is able to simulate and emulate love when he needs it and when he doesn’t need it s. He will act very loving but which should not be in any way confused with real love. This is when John wants to achieve something, money, food, adoration, and many others.  One the target avails his goal they are usually abandoned callously, in a cruel manner and abruptly.

In man instances, there are many people who have found themselves an admirable stop over for John. They will supply all what he needs to move a step ahead to gain what he wants.  In other words, they are a source of narcissistic supply including adoration, submissive, approval, admiration, and others. John will use foul language when venting his aggression.

When John is not in need, he will not contact anyone not even his girlfriend. John will not bother doing anything for other people so long as he is not benefiting from its.  John is simply suffering from antisocial personality disorder

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