The essential feature of antisocial personality disorder is a widespread pattern of contempt for the rights of others; Moreover, this breach of the rights of others tends to lead them not to hesitate to violate them when they hinder their interests.
This pattern of contempt usually begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. The disorder has also been called psychopathy, sociopathy, or disocial personality disorder.
In addition, lying and manipulation are central features of antisocial personality disorder.
For a person to be diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder, they must meet certain criteria, the first is that they must have turned 18.
Therefore, a person under the age of 18, despite all the evidence to indicate it, cannot be diagnosed with this disorder, and the person must also have a history of certain symptoms of behavioral disorders before age 15.
What is behavior disorder? Behavioral disorder involves a pattern of repetitive and persistent behavior in which the fundamental rights of others or the main age-appropriate social norms or rules of the person are violated.
The characteristic behavior of behavioral disorders falls into four categories, which are assault on people and animals, destruction of property, fraud or theft, and gross violation of the rules.
We find that, with the exception of intervention, the pattern of antisocial behavior does not disappear, on the contrary this model continues in adulthood, these people do not conform to social or legal norms.
In fact, these persons may repeat acts that are grounds for detention. Examples of such acts are destruction of property, harassment of others, theft or participation in illegal activities.
People with antisocial personality disorder despise the desires, rights or feelings of others, they are liars and manipulators. They do it for personal gain or pleasure (e. g. for money, sex, or power).
Repeated lying is also a feature of antisocial people, so they can lie repeatedly, use a pseudonym, deceive others, or simulate a disease. The impulsive model manifests itself in the inability to plan for the future.
Decisions are made without thinking, depending on the moment, there is no foresight in such decisions and there are abrupt changes in positions, residence or relationships.
People with antisocial personality disorder tend to be irritable and aggressive, and can also be e wrapped up in fights or physical violence (this includes ill-treatment of couples or children).
Nor do they show scruples when it comes to compromising the safety of others, which is reflected in their behaviour, for example in driving, as they drive at a speed higher than allowed, drive in a drunken state and often suffer various accidents.
They can perform high-risk activities with very harmful consequences, for example, they may have unprotected sex or consume illegal substances, they can also be negligent in the care of their children, in order to expose them to dangerous situations.
This high degree of irresponsibility can manifest itself, for example, in the working environment, in this way, they remain unemployed for long periods of time, even if they have the opportunity to work.
It also manifests itself in the abandonment of several jobs without a realistic plan to get another job. There may also be a pattern of absenteeism that cannot be explained by an illness per se or that of a family member.
The absence of financial responsibility results in acts such as defaulting on debt or non-compliance with the basic needs of children or others in their care.
Similarly, people with antisocial personality disorder show no remorse for the consequences of their actions (Rosenblum, 2011). They may be indifferent or superficially justify harm, abuse or theft to people (e. g. , “Life is difficult”, “Losers deserve to lose, “etc. ).
They can blame victims for being naive, powerless, or worthy of their fate. For example, can you say that?
As we see, antisocial personality disorder is a disorder with a serious impact on the lives of sufferers and those around it.
It is a difficult-to-treat personality disorder, usually starting in childhood or adolescence with a behavioral disorder.