Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Context--Antisocial Personality Disorder

Context--Antisocial Personality Disorder
from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antisocial-personality-disorder/DS00829

Antisocial personality disorder is a condition in which people show a pervasive disregard for the law and the rights of others. People with antisocial personality disorder may tend to lie or steal and often fail to fulfill job or parenting responsibilities. The terms "sociopath" and "psychopath" are sometimes used to describe a person with antisocial personality disorder.

Early adolescence is a critical time for the development of antisocial personality disorder. People who grow up in an abusive or neglectful environment are at higher risk, and adults who suffer from the disorder were usually showing behavioral problems before the age of 15. Antisocial personality disorder affects men three times as often as it does women and is much more prevalent in the prison population than in the general population.

Symptoms

Common characteristics of people with antisocial personality disorder include:
Persistent lying or stealing
Recurring difficulties with the law
Tendency to violate the rights of others (property, physical, sexual, emotional, legal)
Aggressive, often violent behavior; prone to getting involved in fights
Inability to keep a job
A persistent agitated or depressed feeling (dysphoria)
Inability to tolerate boredom
Disregard for the safety of self or others
A childhood diagnosis of conduct disorders
Lack of remorse for hurting others
Possessing a superficial charm or wit
Impulsiveness
A sense of extreme entitlement
Inability to make or keep friends

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