Alarming as it may seem, approximately 4% of the population has what is deemed to have antisocial personality disorder. About 20% of these sociopaths are in our correctional system where 50% to 80% of the population has been determined to have the disorder. About 15% of the sociopaths that are incarcerated are believed to be psychopaths, and have a more severe form of antisocial personality disorder. So where are the other 80% of the sociopaths? They are our neighbors, colleagues, and even friends and family members.

At the present time there is no specific test for antisocial personality disorder. During the mental health interview, the doctor discusses the symptoms the patient is experiencing. It is important for the doctor to be familiar with personality disorders, as well as have knowledge of the individual’s culture. The individual could be diagnosed incorrectly because the doctor lacks knowing and experience in either the disorder or the culture, or fails to take culture into consideration at all.http://www.medicinenet.com/antisocial_personality_disorder/page3.htm

This article on How to Treat Antisocial Personality Disorder will discuss how psychopaths (sociopaths) differ from the average criminal, how to recognize a sociopath in your life, and what treatments are available. For more information on symptoms and diagnosis, please read How to Diagnose Antisocial Personality Disorder. Other articles you might find interesting are How to Diagnose Personality Disorders and How to Treat Personality Disorders.

Television shows and movies often portray psychopaths because antisocial personality disorder is the most common mental illness that is associated with crime. Some of the main symptoms are “a pervasive pattern of disregard for the rights of other, and violations of them.” The individual also does not conform and disrespects laws. They are continuously committing crimes that get them arrested. These individuals are deceitful, liars, and con artists, which they often do for profit and/or pleasure. Individuals with the disorder are aggressive, irritable, involved in physical fights or in assaulting others, and have a disregard for their own safety or the safety of others. They tend to lack remorse for their actions.http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/forensic_psychology/32037/2

Psychopaths (sociopaths) are different from other criminals. People always think of cold-blooded serial killers when they think of psychopaths, but not all of them are motivated by bloodlust. The majority of them are clever scam artists, ruthless manipulators, uncaring users, or petty criminals. They often live off of the work of others and play games that are cruel because of their desire for objects and power. The chances are you could lose your money or have a terrible relationship with a psychopath before you would lose your life to on.http://personalitydisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_psychopaths_differ_from_other_criminals

In contrast to criminals who are not sociopaths and turned to crime because that was the way of life in their environment, they suffer from substance abuse and/or poverty, or lack skills to find meaningful employment, psychopaths turn to crime for a different reason. Psychopaths (sociopaths) ordinarily commit crimes because they want to dominate or hurt people, love the thrill of getting away with things, and want to live off of others. They may just as likely come from either loving, supportive homes, as abusive homes. Having a loving home may decrease the individual becoming violent. Being abused or neglected as a child, however, may trigger the development of the disorder and make it worse.http://personalitydisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_psychopaths_differ_from_other_criminals

Psychopaths commit more acts of violence than other criminals because they are incapable of feeling guilt, empathy or remorse. Non-psychopathic criminals often commit violent acts when they are under emotional stress. Psychopaths usually commit violent crimes as an act of revenge, while drinking, or in the commission of a crime. They are very businesslike and callous, and seldom under stress. They are more likely to target strangers.http://personalitydisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_psychopaths_differ_from_other_criminals

Psychopaths repeat crimes and end up back in prison because they cannot control their impulses and feel absolutely no guilt for their actions. They are twice as likely to reoffend, and three times more likely to repeat violent acts, such as a serial rapist.http://personalitydisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_psychopaths_differ_from_other_criminals

“Psychopaths differ from non-psychopathic criminals in both psychological distress and self-perception. Those who have become cold and violent due to severe childhood deprivation or abuse tend to suffer from intense emotional distress and low self-esteem. By contrast, psychopaths are free from anxiety, and think very highly of themselves.”http://personalitydisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_psychopaths_differ_from_other_criminals

Many criminals will revenge those who have harmed children, but psychopaths do not care one way or the other. They might retaliate for the sheer enjoyment of the violence. They also do not have feelings of loyalty to their family and friends, and do not honor promises. They are quick to snitch on others in order to make their conditions better.http://personalitydisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_psychopaths_differ_from_other_criminals

Unlike most criminals, psychopaths commit a wider variety of crimes and they may be more violent and more extreme. The crimes are committed more for the thrill rather than to make a living like theft and forgery. They also may engage in shady behaviors that might not bring a criminal conviction.http://personalitydisorders.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_psychopaths_differ_from_other_criminals

There are several ways to spot a sociopath when you run across them in your life. Some of the things to look for are as follows:

- They are very glib and their charm is superficial.
- They tend to con and manipulate.
- They don’t value other’s rights and see their own self-serving behavior as permissible. Even though they appear to be charming, they are actually hostile and domineering, and their victim is just an instrument.
- They have grandiose thinking about themselves.
- They believe they are entitled.
- They are often pathological liars. They have difficulty being truthful and lie easily. They often believe they have powers and abilities and believe it so much, that they often can pass a lie detector test.
- They have no feelings of guilt, remorse or shame. They don’t see others around them as people, just targets and opportunities. Friends don’t exist; they are victims and accomplices who end up as victims. They do not let anything stand in their way.
- They have very shallow emotions. They can fake things like joy, warmth, compassion, and love to fulfill their ulterior motive. They are not genuine and do not honor promises. They do not get upset by things a normal person would be upset by.
- They are incapable of love.
- They constantly need to be stimulated. They live on the edge and they often gamble or lead promiscuous lives.
- They are callous and are unable to be empathetic to others’ feelings and feel nothing but contempt for them.
- They are unable to control behavior and are very impulsive. They believe they are “all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.”
- They experience behavior problems early on and often have trouble in school. They have problems making and keep friends, may steal, and are often cruel to animals and people.
- They are unreliable and irresponsible. They do not care about wrecking the lives and dreams of others. They are oblivious or don’t care if they cause devastation. They do not accept blame and blame others, even if it is known that they committed the act.
- They often have promiscuous sexual behavior and are unfaithful in relationships. They may commit child sexual abuse, rape, and act out in all sorts of sexual activities.
- They have poor work ethic, but are able to con others quite easily. They may move around a lot and make promises that never come to pass.
- They change their image as needed to avoid prosecution and often change their life story.http://federalism.typepad.com/crime_federalism/2008/01/how-to-spot-a-1.html

Hopefully this list will help you to understand what a sociopath is and spot them if they attempt to manipulate and con you. Call it a “preventive” list!

Antisocial personality disorder is very resistant to change, but there are a number of treatments that can be effective. Treating it like some other condition, however, has been shown to not be effective. Individuals who have another disorder in conjunction with antisocial personality disorder may find their conditions worsened. “In those cases, a combination of firm but fair programming that emphasizes teaching the antisocial personality disorder individuals skills that can be used to live independently and productively within the rules and limits of society has been more effective.” http://www.medicinenet.com/antisocial_personality_disorder/page3.htm

Medications can be helpful for conditions that co-occur with antisocial personality disorder even if they do not directly treat its behaviors. Having the disorder makes it difficult to treat other conditions. It can make the person with substance abuse problems have a harder time abstaining from alcohol and drug use. Individuals with schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder, often are institutionalized because they are less likely to comply with a treatment program. Individuals with depression or anxiety may benefit from antidepressants, and those who have anger and impulsivity problems may be helped with mood stabilizers. There is one bright note, however -- individuals with antisocial personality disorder often have a decrease in symptoms by the time they reach 50 years of age.http://www.medicinenet.com/antisocial_personality_disorder/page3.htm

You can help your loved one by sitting down and having a discussion about your concerns. Even if you can’t force them to see treatment, you can offer your support and encouragement. You can help them find a qualified mental health provider, make the appointment, and even go to the appointment with them. If there is a danger of them hurting themselves or someone else, take them to the hospital or call 911.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antisocial-personality-disorder/DS00829/DSECTION=symptoms

Treatment may be possible in some individuals under some conditions, but the doctor should be realistic about what is achievable. “Yet so masterful are the machinations of the antisocial personality—so practiced are the habits of self-interested calculation and manipulation—that clinicians can easily be hoodwinked. Nobody is such a good clinician that he or she can never get conned. You can have all the training in the world and still get taken.” A rule is not to get taken in by thinking that the individual has the same thoughts and feelings as you do, because they are not the same as everyone else. Trust your instincts when dealing with a socialpath.http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/39/1/25.1.full

Some of the factors that determine when therapy is not favorable are a history of sadistic violence resulting in death or injury to others, a total lack of remorse, incapable of forming emotional attachments, and an intelligence level from mildly mentally retarded or very superior.http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/39/1/25.1.full

The content on this page is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Speak with a qualified heath care professional to ensure that you have the most accurate information regarding any mental health diagnosis.