Treatment for Antisocial Personality Disorder

What Is Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)?

Antisocial personality disorder is sometimes called sociopathy. It is a mental health condition that causes people to behave inappropriately. For example, they may show little to no regard for right and wrong actions and ignore the feelings of others.
 
Those struggling with ASPD are more likely to purposely make others upset and mistreat them. It is also common for these individuals to lack remorse or regret for their poor behavior and decisions.
 
Those with ASPD have a higher risk of drug and alcohol misuse and are more likely to behave violently or impulsively, which can negatively impact their responsibilities at home, work, or school.

At What Age Does Antisocial Personality Disorder Develop?

Antisocial personality disorder is more common among males than females, often developing in childhood or early adolescence. Symptoms often appear before age 15. However, it typically goes undiagnosed until adulthood due to diagnostic criteria requirements.

Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Characteristics of antisocial personality disorder include repeatedly:

• Ignoring right and wrong.
• Telling lies to take advantage of others.
• Being purposefully insensitive, manipulative, or hostile to others.
• Having an unfound sense of superiority.
• Having problems with the law.
• Feeling little to no guilt about harming others.
• Being irresponsible.

What Causes Antisocial Personality Disorder?

The root cause of antisocial personality disorder remains unknown. However, primary risk factors include family history of personality disorders, exposure to violence, childhood trauma, conduct disorder, substance misuse, and socioeconomic factors.

Environmental Risk Factors

Several environmental risk factors may increase your risk of developing ASPD, including

• Significant or repeated childhood abuse, neglect, or mistreatment.
• A parent with alcoholism or another substance use disorder.
• Having a parent with antisocial or another personality disorder.
• Exposure to violence or criminal dealings as an acceptable way of life.
• Exposure to traumatic events early in life (e.g., war, pandemics, etc.)
• Exposure to lead paint in childhood.

Genetic Influences: Brain Structure and Neurotransmitter Role

Approximately 50% of ASPD cases can be attributed to reduced gray matter volume in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for higher-level cognitive functions like decision-making, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. The amygdala is responsible for empathy, moral reasoning, and impulse control.
Low dopamine and serotonin levels, common neurotransmitters, may also increase your risk of ASPD as they are highly sensitive to environmental changes.

Diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder

ASPD Diagnostic Criteria

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the criteria for ASPD include the following:

1. The person displays disregard for and violation of others’ rights since age 15 and includes one or more of the seven sub-features below:
   
   
   1. Failure to obey laws and societal norms.
   2. Lying, deception, and manipulation for profit or amusement.
   3. Impulsive behaviors.
   4. Irritability or aggression (e.g., often assaulting or fighting with others).
   5. Blatantly disregards safety of self and others.
   6. A pattern of irresponsibility.
   7. A lack of remorse for actions.
2. The person is at least age 18.
3. Conduct disorder was present by history before age 15.
4. The antisocial behavior must not be related to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

ASPD Assessment and Tools

A licensed clinician or psychiatric provider at Beach House Center for Recovery can perform the following antisocial personality disorder tests:

• Clinical Interview
  A structured or semi-structured interview that helps gather detailed information about your history, including behaviors and symptoms.
• Personality Assessment
  Tools like the Million Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI), Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and Antisocial Personality Questionnaire help assess personality traits and identify patterns consistent with ASPD.
• Behavioral Checklists
  Standardized questionnaires like the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) help assess specific antisocial behaviors and traits.
• Self-Report Inventories
  Questionnaires like the Antisocial Personality Questionnaire (APQ), the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), and the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 (PDQ-4) allow individuals to self-report behaviors and attitudes related to antisocial tendencies.

If you are diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, treatments can help manage your symptoms and improve overall functioning.

Treatment Options for Antisocial Personality Disorder

Therapy for Antisocial Personality Disorder

Beach House Center for Recovery offers a full spectrum of therapeutic services to help you manage symptoms of ASPD, including:

• Individual and Group Therapy
  One-on-one or supportive group sessions with a licensed therapist to explore personal challenges, define goals, and find healing.
• Family Counseling
  Additional support and guidance for families and their loved ones.
• Specialized Therapy ModalitiesSpecialized therapies and holistic approaches to help change thinking patterns and behaviors:
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Medication for Antisocial Personality Disorder

While there is no specific medication for antisocial personality disorder, anti-anxiety, antidepressant, antipsychotic, and mood stabilizer medications may help manage symptoms of aggression, impulsivity, and mood swings.

Combining Therapy and Medication for Best Results

Combining talk therapy like CBT and medication for ASPD provides a comprehensive treatment approach to treating behavioral symptoms and emotional dysregulation. This often leads to improved quality of life and better symptom management for those struggling with ASPD.

Managing Antisocial Personality Disorder

While there is no known cure for ASPD, early intervention may help reduce certain behaviors and help improve your health and relationships. Here are a few tips to help manage the symptoms of ASPD:

• Practice self-care
  Try positive self-talk, eating healthier foods, getting plenty of restorative sleep, and practicing mindfulness (e.g., yoga, meditation, or journaling).
• Limit alcohol or drug use
  Drugs and alcohol can negatively impact your brain’s chemistry, increasing your risk of aggression.
• Follow your treatment plan
  Attend all therapy sessions and continue all medications as directed by your licensed therapist.

Get Antisocial Personality Disorder Treatment at Beach House Center for Recovery

At Beach House Center for Recovery, we provide compassionate, integrated mental health and substance use disorder treatment in Florida to ensure you get the exact care you need.

Our skilled team is ready to help you manage your personality disorder symptoms and support any co-occurring conditions. Contact our caring admissions counselors for more information and to start your recovery journey.