CAUSES

The causes of antisocial personality disorder are unknown.“There are no clear biological causes for this disorder, research on the possible biologic risk factors for developing antisocial personality disorder indicates that, in those with antisocial personality disorder, the part of the brain that is primarily responsible for learning from one's mistakes and for responding to sad and fearful facial expressions (the amygdala) tends to be smaller and respond less robustly to the happy, sad, or fearful facial expressions of others.That lack of response may have something to do with the lack of empathy that antisocial individuals tend to have with the feelings, rights, and suffering of others." (Dryden-Edwards R, n.d)
 * CAUS﻿ES **

Individual’s genetic backgrounds may be a factor when coupled with life events such as, abuse or neglect. Individuals with an antisocial or alcoholic parent are at increased risk. More men than women are affected. Other conditions that may be risk factors for antisocial personality disorder include substance abuse, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and a reading disorder or conduct disorder. Also People who experience a brain dysfunction, such as organic brain damage, are at risk for developing violent or otherwise criminal behaviors.

Fire-setting and cruelty to animals during childhood are linked to the development of antisocial personality. There is also a link between antisocial disorder and psychopathic personality disorder. Some people believe they are the same while others believe that psychopathic personality is a similar but more sever disorder.

Antisocial personality disorder is diagnosed based on a psychological evaluation and the history and severity of symptoms. To be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, a person must have had conduct disorder during childhood.


 * Conduct disorder is a disorder of childhood and adolescence that involves chronic behavior problems, such as: **


 * Defiant, impulsive, or antisocial behavior
 * Drug use
 * Criminal activity (PubMed Health, 2010)


 * Some factors that have been linked to the cause of conduct disorder are as follows: **
 * Child Abuse
 * Family conflicts
 * Genetic defects
 * Parental drug addiction or alcoholism
 * Poverty (PubMed Health, 2010)


 * Children with conduct disorder tend to be impulsive, difficult to control, and unconcerned about the feelings of others. Some of the common signs of conduct disorder are: **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Bullying
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Fighting
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Staying out at night without concern for curfew or other limits (PubMed Health, 2010)

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Some effects on society of antisocial personality disorder, are the suffering endured by victims of the crimes committed by people with this disorder. When people with Antisocial disorder are the leaders of religious cults, the devastation they can create is often not known unless and until a catastrophe results. (PubMed Health, 2010)

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">The effects on an individual with antisocial disorder are quite extensive "People with antisocial personality disorder are also vulnerable to mood problems, such as major depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder having other personality disorders, especially borderline (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorders; self-mutilation and other forms of self-harm, as well as dying from homicide, suicide, or accident" (Dryden-Edwards R, n.d) Individuals who have antisocial disorder as well as another mental illness may end up institutionalized. For example People who have both antisocial personality disorder and schizophrenia are less likely to enter into treatment programs and are more likely to remain in an institution such as prison or a hospital.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">There is an indication of the possibility of people having fewer symptoms as they age."Statistics indicate that many people with antisocial personality disorder experience a remission of symptoms by the time they reach 50 years of age."

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 80%;">Leah Anderson