Patient education: Antisocial personality disorder (The Basics)

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What is antisocial personality disorder? — People with antisocial personality disorder, or "ASPD," have many behavior problems. Examples include lying, cheating, fighting, and breaking the law. These problems affect many parts of their lives (for example, school, work, and relationships). The disorder is more common in males than in females.

People with ASPD often have trouble getting along with others and keeping a job. They do not feel sorry about how their actions might hurt other people.

What are the symptoms of ASPD? — Adults with ASPD have symptoms such as:

●Breaking laws

●Getting arrested often

●Using a fake name (called an "alias")

●Taking advantage of other people

●Hurting other people

●Bragging about their bad behavior

●Not feeling sorry about their bad behavior

●Being unable to keep a job

To be diagnosed with the disorder, a person must have multiple symptoms that last for years and affect all parts of their lives. People who have a few of these symptoms for short periods of time do not have ASPD.

A person must be at least 18 years old, and have symptoms since the age of 15, to be diagnosed with ASPD. Behaviors in teens can include:

●Breaking rules

●Destroying things

●Lying

●Stealing

●Fighting

Many teens do some of these things sometimes, and the behaviors eventually stop. But some teens do go on to develop ASPD.

How is ASPD treated? — Unfortunately, there are no good ways to treat ASPD. But people with this disorder often have other problems, such as depression and alcohol or drug misuse. Seeing a counselor (such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse, or social worker) and/or taking medicines can help treat those problems.

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This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Feb 02, 2024.

Disclaimer: This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient's specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms. 2024© UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.

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Patient education: Antisocial personality disorder (The Basics)