Many assume an antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is someone who avoids social events and spends a lot of time alone. However, people with the condition can actually be charming, witty, and fun.

In fact, they often use social opportunities to manipulate, exploit, and violate the rights of others for their own advantage, without remorse for those they are affecting. Naturally, this can lead to relationship and (potentially) legal complications. ¹

Throughout this article, we’ll take a deeper look at ASPD, its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

Symptoms

While personality types of people with ASPD vary from person to person, some of the most common traits of the condition include:

• Ability to act charming and witty
• Difficulty with substance abuse
• Disregard for the safety of others and self
• Flattering and able to manipulate other’s emotions
• Lack of guilt or remorse
• Often arrogant or angry
• Repeatedly breaking the law
• Will often lie, steal, and fight

People with ASPD tend to have no emotions for others and disregard social rules to garner their own benefits.

On average, symptoms for ASPD tend to begin during a person’s teenage years or early 20s. While many never overcome the condition, some will find they naturally improve by the time they’re in their 40s.

Causes

It remains unclear what causes ASPD in a person. Scientists have agreed it’s likely due to a combination of genes and other factors, such as child abuse (or other previous traumas). ² ³

However, what is clear is that more men struggle with the condition than women and it’s common among people in prison. ⁴ Furthermore, those who pose antisocial traits during childhood (i.e. setting fires or animal cruelty) are much more likely to carry ASPD into adulthood. ⁵

There are some discussions as to whether or not ASPD is the same as psychopathic personality (psychopathy), but some argue that ASPD is less severe.

Treatment

Clinicians can diagnose ASPD based on a psychological evaluation. These look into a person’s current behaviors and their childhood conduct. However, treating ASPD is much more difficult.

Beyond the fact that people with ASPD don’t usually seek treatment, many end up struggling with legal ramifications due to their behavior. While a court may require therapy if it recognizes ASPD, it’s more likely these individuals will end up in prison.

Furthermore, there are no guidelines for treating ASPD. More often than not, those with ASPD will be treated for other conditions they may struggle with, such as a mood disorder or substance use disorder. ⁶

Final Word

Since we still don’t know a lot about ASPD, it’s one of the most difficult conditions to treat. Furthermore, since many of those who pass an antisocial personality disorder test end up in prison, it’s unlikely most receive treatment.

The best way to intervene with this condition (along with its related conduct or personality disorders) is by addressing it at an early age.

References

¹ Fisher KA, Torrico TJ, Hany M. Antisocial Personality Disorder. 2024 Feb 29. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 31536279.

² Rautiainen MR, Paunio T, Repo-Tiihonen E, Virkkunen M, Ollila HM, Sulkava S, Jolanki O, Palotie A, Tiihonen J. Genome-wide association study of antisocial personality disorder. Transl Psychiatry. 2016 Sep 6;6(9):e883. doi: 10.1038/tp.2016.155. PMID: 27598967; PMCID: PMC5048197.

³ Gobin RL, Reddy MK, Zlotnick C, Johnson JE. Lifetime trauma victimization and PTSD in relation to psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder in a sample of incarcerated women and men. Int J Prison Health. 2015;11(2):64-74. doi: 10.1108/IJPH-06-2014-0016. PMID: 26062658; PMCID: PMC9236186.

⁴ Black DW, Gunter T, Loveless P, Allen J, Sieleni B. Antisocial personality disorder in incarcerated offenders: Psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2010 May;22(2):113-20. PMID: 20445838.

⁵ Black DW. The Natural History of Antisocial Personality Disorder. Can J Psychiatry. 2015 Jul;60(7):309-14. doi: 10.1177/070674371506000703. PMID: 26175389; PMCID: PMC4500180.

⁶ Gibbon S, Duggan C, Stoffers J, Huband N, Völlm BA, Ferriter M, Lieb K. Psychological interventions for antisocial personality disorder. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jun 16;(6):CD007668. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007668.pub2. Update in: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Sep 3;9:CD007668. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007668.pub3. PMID: 20556783; PMCID: PMC4167848.