Causes and risk factors
Exact cause is unknown. Antisocial personality disorder is thought to be caused due to combination of genetic and environmental influences. Environmental factors like abuse in childhood, childhood full of physical and verbal abuse, anger outburst in family members, repeated exposure to such type of domestic violence, alcoholic parents, people in prison, fire setting and cruelty to animals in childhood are the predisposing factors for developing antisocial personality disorder in later life. The disorder can be associated with other psychological disorders like mood disorder, anxiety disorder etc.
Clinical presentation
A person with Anti social personality disorder presents as having disregard for right and wrong. He shows deceitful behaviour by frequent lying, use of aliases, or tricking people for personal profit or pleasure. There is a sense of superiority and bullying nature. Failure to follow social norms by breaking laws repeatedly, irresponsible work behaviour, impulsivity. Repeated physical fights and assaults, unnecessary risk-taking, creating violence , lack of empathy for others and lack of remorse about harming others are also suggestive of antisocial personality disorder.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and psychological evaluation by the psychiatrist or psychotherapist helps in diagnosis. It involves criteria which is as follows – the person must be at least 18 years of age, has a history of conduct disorder before the age 15, and presence of above mentioned symptoms clears the picture for anti social behaviour. Psychological evaluation of the patient is necessary for diagnosis of the condition.
Treatment
Psychotherapy is required for treating Anti social personality disorder. It involves cognitive behavioural therapy, which teaches anger management techniques, relaxation techniques to combat Anti social personality disorder. Medications like anti depressants, anti anxiety drugs, anti convulsants, mood stabilizers help in treatment of the disease. Treating other accompanying psychological diseases contribute further to the treatment.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating Anti social personality disorder. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating Anti social personality disorder.
