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What Causes Antisocial Personality Disorder?

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Posted on Tue, 15 Jul 2014
Question: If a person, this is a hypothetical example for this question here, is emotionally or otherwise an abusive person and is married, got married somehow and the abuse has maybe gotten worse or at least no better, and it has been discussed,with them, the behavior and yet it is repeated, I read they will not change. Is this true? This refers to classically accepted abuse such as emotional (isolation from family or friends), to financial (interferes with work or spends too much or keeps all the money), and other types.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes it will not chagne unless otherwise treated

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcare magic.

The behavior you described is very classical of antisocial personality disorder and most of them have pervasive pattern of abnormal behavior. Other than this they do not feel emotionally attached to the victim and make use of situation in their own interest. These individuals disregard right of others whenever they get chance and there is quite possible that they got problem with legal system. they have inability to conform to the social norms that ordinarily govern many aspects of a person's adolescent and adult behavior and is characterized by continual antisocial or criminal acts including abuse. They often seem to be normal and even charming and ingratiating. They are extremely manipulative and can frequently talk others into participating in schemes for easy ways to make money or to achieve fame or notoriety. Those with this disorder do not tell the truth and cannot be trusted to carry out any task or adhere to any conventional standard of morality. Promiscuity, spousal abuse, child abuse, and drunk driving are common events in their lives. A notable finding is a lack of remorse for these actions; that is, they appear to lack a conscience.

If they are not treated they are unlikely to change.

'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (10 hours later)
Will they, in the example given by you above regarding the condition, be able to be brought all they way to "normal" status regarding that condition through a type of treatment? If that status can be achieved through treatment, what kind? If not, what is the best possible outcome in such a case? (As an example). Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Not completely

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back.

They can not become completely normal if you consider social norms. What I described is part of their personality and they do not feel anything abnormal with that. They are comfortable in their own system but they are misfit as per our society norms.
The treatment options are multiple but all are limited in efficacy and outcome. They make good change but unable to make a person which he is not. These includes various kind of psychotherapy and medications.
I would say almost all kind of available treatment we employ for various psychiatric disorders can also be tried with these individuals.
If treatment is not effective or not tried than the abusive behavior continues almost life long, but after 40 years of age many of these people show reduced abuse and develop some empathy(understand emotion of others) leading to improvement in situation.

'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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What Causes Antisocial Personality Disorder?

Brief Answer: Yes it will not chagne unless otherwise treated Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using healthcare magic. The behavior you described is very classical of antisocial personality disorder and most of them have pervasive pattern of abnormal behavior. Other than this they do not feel emotionally attached to the victim and make use of situation in their own interest. These individuals disregard right of others whenever they get chance and there is quite possible that they got problem with legal system. they have inability to conform to the social norms that ordinarily govern many aspects of a person's adolescent and adult behavior and is characterized by continual antisocial or criminal acts including abuse. They often seem to be normal and even charming and ingratiating. They are extremely manipulative and can frequently talk others into participating in schemes for easy ways to make money or to achieve fame or notoriety. Those with this disorder do not tell the truth and cannot be trusted to carry out any task or adhere to any conventional standard of morality. Promiscuity, spousal abuse, child abuse, and drunk driving are common events in their lives. A notable finding is a lack of remorse for these actions; that is, they appear to lack a conscience. If they are not treated they are unlikely to change. 'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help". Thanks