The symptoms of antisocial personality disorder include

Antisocial personality disorder is a mental condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others without any remorse. This behavior may cause problems in relationships or at work and is often criminal.

Cause of this disorder is unknown. A person's genes and other factors, such as child abuse, may contribute to developing this condition. People with an antisocial or alcoholic parent are at increased risk. Far more men than women are affected. The condition is common among people who are in prison.

Setting fires and animal cruelty during childhood are often seen in the development of antisocial personality.

Some doctors believe that psychopathic personality (psychopathy) is the same disorder. Others believe that psychopathic personality is a similar, but a more severe disorder.

A person with antisocial personality disorder may:

  • Be able to act witty and charming
  • Be good at flattery and manipulating other people's emotions
  • Break the law repeatedly
  • Disregard the safety of self and others
  • Have problems with substance abuse
  • Lie, steal, and fight often
  • Not show guilt or remorse
  • Often be angry or arrogant

Antisocial personality disorder is diagnosed based on a psychological evaluation. The health care provider will consider how long and how severe the person's symptoms are. To be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, a person must have had emotional and behavioral problems (conduct disorder) during childhood.

Antisocial personality disorder is one of the hardest personality disorders to treat. People with this condition usually don't seek treatment on their own. They may only start therapy when required to by a court.

Behavioral treatments, such as those that reward appropriate behavior and have negative consequences for illegal behavior, may work in some people. Talk therapy may also help.

People with an antisocial personality who have other disorders, such as a mood or substance use disorder, are often treated for those problems as well.

Symptoms tend to peak during the late teenage years and early 20s. They sometimes improve on their own by the time a person is in their 40s.

Complications may include imprisonment, drug use, alcohol use, violence, and suicide.

See a provider or a mental health professional if you or someone you know has symptoms of antisocial personality disorder.

Sociopathic personality; Sociopathy; Personality disorder - antisocial

American Psychiatric Association. Antisocial personality disorder. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. 2013;659-663.

Blais MA, Smallwood P, Groves JE, Rivas-Vazquez RA, Hopwood CJ. Personality and personality disorders. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 39.

Updated by: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others. This behavior is often criminal.

Causes

The cause of antisocial personality disorder is unknown. Genetic factors and environmental factors, such as child abuse, are believed to contribute to the development of this condition. People with an antisocial or alcoholic parent are at increased risk. Far more men than women are affected. The condition is common among people who are in prison.

Fire-setting and cruelty to animals during childhood are linked to the development of antisocial personality.

Some doctors believe that psychopathic personality (psychopathy) is the same disorder. Others believe that psychopathic personality is a similar but more severe disorder.

Symptoms

A person with antisocial personality disorder may:

  • Be able to act witty and charming
  • Be good at flattery and manipulating other people's emotions
  • Break the law repeatedly
  • Disregard the safety of self and others
  • Have problems with substance abuse
  • Lie, steal, and fight often
  • Not show guilt or remorse
  • Often be angry or arrogant

Get Help

Learn how to talk about mental health or how to get help for yourself or someone you care about

Last Updated: 03/01/2022

Antisocial personality disorder is one of a larger category of personality disorders. Each personality disorder is different and is treated differently. It is important to speak to a doctor right away if you notice symptoms of a personality disorder in yourself or your child.

3% of men and 1% of women in the U.S. have antisocial personality disorder. This condition often leads to serious criminal behavior. People with this disorder may seem charming and attractive but can lack empathy and regard for the law or other people. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder may use their abilities to manipulate others. 

Antisocial Personality Disorder Symptoms

Antisocial personality disorder is a condition that requires consistent treatment and attention from medical professionals. Contact your physician and ask for an evaluation if you see any symptoms in yourself or your child, including:

  • Physical cruelty to people or animals
  • Consistent manipulative or exploitative behavior toward others
  • A lack of conscience or remorse for actions that negatively affect others
  • A disregard or contempt for authority or authority figures including the police
  • A repeated pattern of lawbreaking with no regard for the consequences
  • Frequent outbursts of violence, anger, or aggression
  • A pattern of deceptive or lying behavior to their own benefit 
  • Substance abuse problems
  • Disregard for their own, or others’, safety
  • Frequently using flattery, wit, and charm to gain advantage for themselves
  • Trouble forming attachments or maintaining relationships 

Antisocial Personality Disorder Causes

The exact cause of antisocial personality disorder is unknown. Several contributing factors can lead to an increased risk of developing this condition. Some of those risk factors include:

  • Abuse, neglect, or mistreatment in childhood
  • A parent with alcoholism or another substance use disorder
  • A parent with antisocial personality disorder or another personality disorder
  • Childhood exposure to violence and criminal dealings as an acceptable way of life
  • Traumatic events early in life, or exposure to trauma such as war
  • Environmental factors, including exposure to lead paint in childhood

Antisocial Personality Disorder Treatment

Antisocial personality disorder can be treated with a combination of therapy, medication, and support. Your doctor and therapist can help you come up with a treatment plan that works well to keep symptoms of antisocial personality disorder under control.

Medication: Antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety medications, and other types of medication are often used to treat this disorder. Your care team can help you find the medications and dosages that are right for you. Find a doctor or therapist at Sheppard Pratt.

Therapy: Many kinds of therapy can help you and your family overcome the hurdles of antisocial personality disorder. Learn more about your options for residential therapy at The Retreat at Sheppard Pratt or outpatient therapy.

Education: Learning more about antisocial personality disorder can help you and your loved ones recognize triggers and signs and know when to get help. See our resource library to learn more.

Support: Finding the right support network is a crucial step toward recovery. Sheppard Pratt offers many kinds of support groups that can help. Find your support group today. 

What are some examples of antisocial behavior?

Examples of antisocial behaviour.
noisy neighbours..
graffiti..
drinking or drug use which leads to people being rowdy and causing trouble..
large groups hanging about in the street (if they are causing, or likely to cause, alarm and distress).
litter problems..
racism..

What factors are associated with antisocial personality disorder?

Genetic factors and environmental factors, such as child abuse, are believed to contribute to the development of this condition. People with an antisocial or alcoholic parent are at increased risk. Far more men than women are affected. The condition is common among people who are in prison.