Other interesting facts

*The National Comorbidity Survey (using DSM-III-R criteria) found that 5.8% of males and 1.2% of females showed a life long chance of developing APD.
*The disorder often improves as the sufferer grows older, and is at its worst in young adulthood.
*It is most common with first degree relatives, as it can be of a genetic cause.

Where can I get more Information?

Almost any health care website that includes mental health will provide you with information about Antisocial Personality Disorder.

The links to some of these websites are listed below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_personality_disorder
http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-pe04.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antisocial-personality-disorder/DS00829
http://www.accg.net/antisocial.htm

These websites provide information very similar to the information listed in these blogs.

Cures

At this point in time there are no known successful cures for APD. However, when correct phsyciatric treatment is given, it has been known for sufferers to over come the symptoms and problems to lead as normal life as possible.

Symptoms and Causes

A person who has Antisocial Personality Disorder over the age of 15 must have had shown symptoms of Conduct Disorder under the age of 15. The symptoms are basically what the criteria shows, which includes disregard for others and self, aggrivation and violence, manipulation and lying.

This disorder can be passed through the genes, such as a sufferers having shy parents or unhappy outlooks on life.
It can also be caused by your life's experiences, such as a harsh up-bringing or parents getting divorced during childhood.
APD is caused mainly by a combination of these two things, rather than just the one.

Criteria for APD

In order for a person to be properly diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder, they must posses 3 of the following:

1. Failure to conform with social norms with respect to lawful behaviours as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest.

2. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure.

3. Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead.

4. Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assualts.

5. Reckless disregard for the safety of self and others.

6. Consistent irresponsibility, as indicted by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behaviour or honour financial obligations.

7. Lack of remorse, as indicted by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.

ETIOLOGY

Before antisocial personality disorder was given that name, it was known as Phsycopath and Sociopathic disorder. People are not usually born with this disorder, but the symptoms grow from one's life experiences. They are long lasting symptoms, so in some cases it is believed that they can start in childhood and teen years. However, the negative side effects may not show until adulthood.

In some cases of this disorder, when looking back on an adults earlier years they can detect behavioural symptoms. This can be behaviour such as lack of conduct towards authority, setting fires, cruelty to animals or breach of the law. It is much more commonly diagnosed in males.