When we look at criminals, there can be many reasons for why they decided to do the crime. Some of us would automatically think they enjoy breaking the law, or they are bad people. This can be true and whilst there are different arguments for their behaviour, a lot of people can agree it is down to an individual’s personality traits that can determine how they act.
A personality disorder known for being common among criminals is antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). But what other factors come with this, and how does it affect them? Criminals are susceptible to trauma, substance abuse and mental illness. So, there can be more variables taking effect then you would think.
What is Anti-social Personality Disorder (ASPD)
If you’ve met someone who you think has ASPD, a key trait you may have noticed is a lack of empathy. You could characterize ASPD by this. It is a set of personality traits that can result in a person being harmful to those around them, as a result, it could be described as sociopathy. Because of this, you will typically find someone with ASPD will be very manipulative or have no concern for others. Furthermore, those with the disorder are very impulsive, this can result in irresponsible behaviour where others are put into a dangerous position. Psychopathy has been identified as an extreme form of ASPD which may make it easier to understand how this disorder works.
Signs
As mentioned, the key feature is a lack of empathy, whilst people do use sociopathy to describe ASPD it is not the official diagnosis for it. However, their symptoms do overlap. The key signs for someone with ASPD are:
- Breaking the law or social norms
- Reckless behaviour, putting yourself or others at risk
- A lack of empathy
- Trouble with maintaining relationships
- Aggressive behaviour. May attack others.
- Manipulative or exploit others
A child may typically start exhibiting these symptoms from the age of 8 years, but anti-social behaviour at this age will be diagnosed as Conduct Disorder. If the behaviour persists following into adulthood, they will be diagnosed with ASPD. You will find that people with ASPD have had it from a young age. Up to 80% of children will display symptoms of the disorder from the age of 11.
Causes
The causes for ASPD aren’t fully understood yet. You may find that there are a variety of reasons why an individual can develop the disorder. Usually, it can be a mix of each variable, such as having a genetic risk and being within an abusive household. Some potential contributors are:
- Genetics. It is believed ASPD could have up to 50% heritability. Traits such as impulsivity, aggression and psychopathy have a genetic likelihood. There have been some studies that have found a difference in serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. Both chemicals effect a person’s mood. Being in an environment that can reinforce this behaviour will increase the likelihood.
- Environment. There have been many environmental factors that can increase the risk of ASPD. For instance, parental neglect, abuse or a dysfunctional home all play a part in this. Children could begin to copy negative behaviour from parents and exhibit them at an early age. Children being in these environments could also get PTSD or a mood disorder such as anxiety/depression, which also makes it more likely they can develop it. Some families from low-income backgrounds may cause a child to develop anti-social behaviour. If a child struggles in school because of mood disorders or problems at home, they may begin to break social norms at an earlier age.
- Brain development. Exposure to a hostile environment at a young age can cause developmental issues in the brain. This can result in emotional regulation issues with the person, where they may become more aggressive or impulsive.
- Gender. Males are 5 to 6 times more likely to receive a diagnosis.
Treatment
People with ASPD can receive treatment, but it can be very difficult. If you think someone has this condition, there is a chance they may not want any support. Additionally, the behaviours from ASPD such as manipulation or aggression, can make it difficult for people to provide support for them. This means it can be down to the individual and whether they want to receive the treatment. If there’s no personal motivation, treatment may not work.
Therapy
The person may need psychotherapy. It would range over an extensive period where the person would be taught how to manage their emotions. Therapy may not even treat the condition, but it can provide insight on what’s considered right or wrong for them. Usually, the person may receive Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which is a personal therapy session where they would discuss their thoughts and feelings. Democratic therapeutic communities (DTC) is another option. It is a group therapy where the prisoners discuss their offences and issues together.
Medication
When it comes to medication for ASPD the treatment can differ depending on the person’s situation. Some people are drug dependant, others may be suffering with mental health issues that can aggravate their ASPD. When it comes to a person who needs treatment for their ASPD, some people will be given anti-psychotics or mood stabilizers to lower aggression and impulsive decisions.
A study found up to 90% of people with ASPD are suffering with another mental illness. This means many of them will need treatment for the other condition as well. Drug dependence is very common among this, and people will usually need to receive medication for substance dependence.
Moreover, people with ASPD are more likely to have anxiety or depression. Up to a quarter of them are suffering with depression, while half can have anxiety. As a result, they may be given selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This drug helps increase the serotonin levels in your brain, which is an important chemical messenger that can improve your mood, sleep, and emotions.
Summary
ASPD can be problematic to treat. Many of them have had a tragic upbringing and their criminal behaviour is a product of their environment. The individual will have to be motivated before they receive support. For others, they may neglect treatment until they calm down at an older age. If you know someone that would like support, see if they are willing to talk to a professional. Doing this will help them find out if they are suffering with any other mental health problems. For others, it can be vital to receive treatment/support. Those with ASPD can struggle to live a normal life and may end up neglecting work or damage relationships by breaking social norms.