Antisocial

A mental illness is when a person has difficulty relating to others and themselves. Antisocial personality disorder is a mental illness that is exhibited by persistently disregarding and violating other’s rights. They have a conduct disorder before the age of 15 that includes activities such as stealing, vandalism, violence, cruelty to animals or bullying. They will be diagnosed with the disorder at the age of 18. The peak for this disorder is in the age of the 20’s but it may decrease after time. Most people with antisocial disorder are charming, have wit, manipulate and intimidate others, careless with money, fail to pay off debts, impulsive, irritable, agitated, aggressive, and violent; are quick to start fights that include physical assaults, repeatedly break the law and are reckless in their behaviors. They feel that they don’t have a problem and don’t care. They have little regard for their own safety or anyone else, they are self centered, lack remorse for hurting others, have poor and abusive relationships, have trouble making close relationships, have a knack for making capital at the expense of other people and will do whatever it takes regardless of the consequences. They lack moral conscience, can con, rob and are often in jail. Antisocial people have high rates for drug/substance abuse. Men are four times more likely to have antisocial personality disorders than women. .
There are other closely related mental diseases to anti-social such as borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personalities. These all have an odd pattern to thinking and behaving that is rigid and unhealthy. They consistently have problems in relationships, and society as a whole, including work and school. They don’t think that they are ill and blame others for their problems and infrequently seek help with their disease. Sometimes they may obtain treatment when they escalate into serious brushes with the law or with society.
Treatment for people with antisocial personality disorder is usually ineffective because of the person’s non-desire to change. They don’t believe that they have a problem and don’t really care. A person with this disorder will have many people working with them on their care if treatment is begun. The anti-social will have a family physician, psychiatrist, psycho-therapist, pharmacist, social workers and family members. The general goals of management for this person would include psychotherapy, stress and anger management, medications, and hospitalization. The hospitalization is usually utilized if the person demonstrates danger of harming themselves or others or if they are unable to care for themselves. The hospitalization can include a 24 hour inpatient, partial or day treatment program, or residential treatment. Each person must be approached in their care based on their unique situation and symptoms.
Cognitive theorists work with the clients to change unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and have them think about moral issues and the needs of other people. Psychodynamic psychotherapy uncovers unconscious thoughts and thinking and attempt to have them approach a different way. They can set up a therapeutic community of a structured environment and teach responsibility toward others. Psycho-education is an educational based program that teaches the person about their treatment, coping skills, and problem solving.
The person can be put on psychotropic medications. There are no medications that are recommended but some suggested category of medications are antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anti-anxiety and antipsychotic drugs.