ASPS is characterized by self-centered, impulsive, aggressive and sometimes violent behavior. There is no sense of responsibility and no sense of guilt. The law is regularly broken and not everyone always takes each other into account equally. Sometimes so bad that you can speak of a social behavior. However, when someone leaves behind a trail of misery without any hesitation, without any sense of guilt, they probably have ASPS.
Characteristics
According to the DSM, someone has antisocial personality disorder when they meet three or more of the following criteria. The person is at least 18 years old and the behavior does not only occur as part of schizophrenia or a manic episode.
- Does not obey the law and regularly breaks it
- Lies and cheats for his own benefit and pleasure
- Impulsive, does not look ahead, does not plan anything for the future
- Aggressive and violent
- Reckless, disregards own safety or that of others
- Irresponsible, does not fulfill (financial) obligations, has difficulty keeping a job
- No feeling of guilt when he has disadvantaged someone else in any respect
There is often already a behavioral disorder (in young people it is called antisocial behavioral disorder because it may be transient) before the age of 15, the first symptoms sometimes start from the age of 8, at least three of the following criteria.
- Often bullies, threatens, or intimidates others
- Often starts fights
- Uses a weapon (including bat)
- Abuses people
- Abuses animals
- Steals and breaks in
- Sexual abuse
- Arson
- Vandalism
- Lies a lot
- Often stays away from home at night, despite parental orders.
- Ran away from home at least twice and stayed out overnight.
- Skips regularly
General
It is estimated that ASPS affects approximately 2 to 3 percent of adults in Western countries. This estimate is probably on the low side, it is very difficult to diagnose as people with ASPS are rarely honest about themselves and are masters of deception. They always blame someone else for their problems. In prison the percentage rises to 75 percent. It occurs more in men (3 percent) than in women (1 percent).
A hereditary factor has been demonstrated and there is often a mild neurological abnormality (possible brain damage at a young age). Environmental variables are usually decisive (abuse, deprived area) and in children with ADHD there is a greater risk that ASPS can develop. About 20 percent are also psychopaths. The disorder is most common in people aged 25 to 44. After this age, criminal behavior often decreases, but there is no cure.
Because a person with ASPS is unscrupulous, he sees no reason to seek help; when he gets into trouble, he will blame it on someone else. He also does not see what he is doing wrong and his self-interest comes before everything. The environment generally experiences many more problems and it is only when they are taken into custody that they are inclined to seek help. This will be more from the point of view of avoiding their punishment than from their problems.
Relationships with other people
People with ASPS usually have an attachment problem, which means they often only interact with others because they can use them. Often there is apparently nothing wrong with them, but their history usually only reveals that something has gone wrong in their development. They can be very charming towards the opposite sex, but they are often manipulative towards their own sex. Their changing moods are often difficult to follow and it becomes even worse when they start to behave aggressively and violently. Anger and excitement are often the only genuine feelings they have, emotions are generally feigned because in reality they feel nothing. They never think about the consequences of their actions, which often brings them into contact with the law. Because they have no remorse, they do not learn from it, which means they often repeat themselves. Sometimes they manage to manipulate and mislead their environment in such a way that it continues to keep a hand over their heads.
Relationship with a partner
It is not easy living with someone with ASPS. There is usually no love involved, the relationship is characterized more by power, coercion, adultery and sometimes abuse. There are also often physical complaints, depression, alcohol abuse and drugs. Although someone with ASPS can usually make first contact very well, they have difficulty maintaining long-term relationships.
SPS compared to other personality disorders
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- ASPS: personal gain
- BPD: attention seeking
- Similarity: manipulative and violent behavior
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
- ASPS: unconscionable
- NPS: Demands admiration
- Similarity: little to no empathy and empathy