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Antisocial Personality Disorder Essay

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Serial killers Jeffery Dahmer, Ted Bundy, John Wane Gacy, and many other serial killers all suffered from an extreme disorder called Antisocial Personality disorder (ASPD). In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) are three different classifications of personality disorders: class A, B, and C. Class A personality disorders are characterized by outlandish ways of thinking reflected in their personality. Class B tends to contain disorders in which people have fluctuating behaviors and dramatic thoughts. Finally is Class C, and people with class C personality disorders tend to be more anxious and fearful, which makes it harder for these people to make connections with others. Antisocial personality disorder falls within …show more content…

ASPD is characterized by the inability of the person diagnosed to feel remorse towards other living things. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with ASPD may act recklessly and treat others with cruelty for personal gain. A more extensive list of symptoms provided by the Mayo Clinic includes: telling lies, manipulation, narcissistic tendencies, disregard for the law, and violence and hostility toward others. The most defining traits of ASPD are the use of manipulation for personal gain, sociopathic behaviors, and little regard for the safety of others. (Antisocial Personality Disorder - Symptoms and Causes - Mayo Clinic, 2023) An example of sociopathic behaviors would be harming others without remorse or feeling nothing towards another person’s injustice. The symptoms listed above are the most prominent when an individual is older, but antisocial personality disorder will present itself during earlier ages of child development in somewhat different …show more content…

According to the Mayo Clinic, people diagnosed with Antisocial personality disorder also have a coexisting disorder that can increase or cause their symptoms. Many disorders paired with ASPD are anxiety/stress disorder, substance abuse disorder, or depression. ASPD is oftentimes found when someone goes in for treatment or help with another mental illness and ends up meeting the criteria for ASPD. The exam includes extensive questioning regarding thoughts, feelings, relationships, and frequent behaviors. There is also a list of symptoms and criteria that must be met to be diagnosed with ASPD, one of them being that an individual must be considered CD before the age of 18 in order to meet the criteria. The individual will also need to provide a personal and medical history for their doctor containing a possible criminal record or any other mental health conditions. It is also advised that a family member or close friend who knows the individual well is present at the exam so they can answer or clarify the questions and answers given. Having someone else who is familiar with that individual’s life is important for the validity of the test. Some people with ASPD may not know they have it or might deny it by answering the questions falsely. (Antisocial Personality Disorder - Symptoms and Causes - Mayo Clinic, 2023) After being

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