Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

Effects on socio-emotional development

Effects on intellectual and cognitive development

Representation of ASPD in the media

Effects on physical development

Impacts on relationships with family and friends

Interactions with classmates, peers, and teachers

Symptoms/notable traits

Causes

Occurs more frequently in men than women

Criminal behaviour is common and is often associated with people who have ASPD. There is high chance that a person with this disorder will be questioned by police, arrested, charged, or even imprisoned for a result of their behaviour. This can lead to gaps or negative cognitive development, especially if criminal behaviours had been occurring at a young age.

Typically exploitive, manipulative, and violate the rights of others

Men with ASPD have been to be more than 3 to 5 times likely to misuse drugs and alcohol than women and people without ASPD

Characters

Kai Parker from the Vampire Diaries

Misconceptions

The Joker from the DC universe/Batman

Alex DeLarge from A Clockwork Orange

Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs

Many crime TV shows such as Criminal Minds and Blue Bloods show sociopaths as narcissistic criminals

Although some people with ASPD may commit crimes it is a misconception to believe everyone with ASPD are violent criminals

That antisocial disorder is untreatable. This is untrue as it cannot be cured, but treatment can improve systems. Treatment can consist of medications and different forms of therapy.

Many people get confused between antisocial personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder. However, they are two different mental health conditions.

A person lacks regret, remorse, and concern for other people and their problems

Irresponsible and have disregard for normal social behaviours

Uses the defense mechanism of blaming quite often

Doesn't feel guilt or learn from mistakes

Unable to control anger

Many people only know antisocial personality disorder from the terms of "psychopathic" or "sociopathic" and their tendencies and traits from representation often in fictional universes, film, TV, and literature

As a result there are a lot of misinformed people as the media
only portrays ASPD in certain lights creating stereotypes and misconceptions

Often break the law

Have difficulty forming lasting romantic relationships

In some cases it is not known for why a person develop antisocial personality disorder

Genetics and traumatic childhood experiences such as neglect or abuse often play a role in ASPD

A rough childhood and complicated family circumstances result in ASPD

All people with ASPD are psychopaths - this is false

The worst effects of ASPD can actually be prevented despite many beliefs.

Inability to sustain a job since they struggle to communicate, care, and relate to the greater public. A possible example is interacting with customers while working at a furniture store

Reckless behaviour can result in premature death

Little care on safety for one's health and wellbeing can be concerning for physical development

Health complications may occur

Clouds judgements and facts with their own egotistic views

Might feel more powerful than others

Not very open minded as they like to believe that they are always right

Extreme mood changes and aggressive behaviour may harm the interactions and relationships someone with ASPD has.

Hard for them to sustain healthy relationships as people with ASPD are very self centered and don't care that much for those around them.

ASPD is not an excuse for poor behaviour as these individuals recognize what they are doing is wrong. However, they feel a sense of adrenaline and excitement doing harmful things anyways.

Financial irresponsibility

Impulsiveness

Might feel the urge to learn so they can feel more knowledgeable and superior to those around them. Not wanting to learn for themselves.

Delinquency in childhood or having a traumatic upbringing may bring focuses on other desires or issues rather than spending time on intellectual development and critical thinking.