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.