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Causes and symptoms of sociopathic personality disorder

The antisocial personality disorder is often referred to as sociopathy, is a mental condition in which a person constantly shows no regard for right or wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others. People with the sociopathic personality disorder often treat other people harshly and are indifferent to their sufferings.

Causes and symptoms of sociopathic personality disorder
These people show no remorse or guilt for their callous behavior.

People with the sociopathic personality disorder often become outlaws. They give into alcohol and drugs, inhibit violent behavior and some of them even get involved in criminal activities. They often fail to fulfill their responsibilities related to family, work, or school.

There are various symptoms which these people tend to exhibit, such as:

  • Disregard for right or wrong.
  • Violation of emotional or physical rights of other people
  • Lack of stability in home or work life
  • Irritable and aggressive
  • Lack of remorse
  • Irresponsible, reckless and impulsive
  • Deceitfulness
  • Angry outbursts and hostile behavior
  • Arrogance, agitation, and criminal behavior
  • Failure to be able to consider the negative consequences of behavior
  • Unnecessary risk-taking or dangerous behavior with no regard to safety of others
  • Good at flattery and manipulating others
  • Have problems with substance abuse

The sociopathic personality disorder is confirmed by a psychological evaluation. Any other physical or mental disorders should be ruled out first since this is a serious diagnosis.

Causes of sociopathic personality disorder
Researchers today can’t find the exact cause of the sociopathic personality disorder. Most professionals refer to a bio-psychosocial model of causation, which in simple terms, stands for the causes are likely due to genetic factors, social factors (how the person interacts in their earlier development stages, with his family, friends, and children), and psychological factors (his personality, his temperament, how he dealt with the environment and coped with stress). Hence no single factor can be held responsible, rather it is the combined effect of all these factors which need to be taken into account. A person with the sociopathic personality disorder may very likely pass it on to their children.

About three percent of men and approximately one percent of women suffer from the sociopathic personality disorder. Much higher percentage exists among the prison population.

Risk factors
Certain factors increase the risk of developing the sociopathic personality disorder. They are:

  • Diagnosis of childhood conduct disorders.
  • Family history of personality disorders or sociopathic personality disorder.
  • Mental illness.
  • Being subjected to abuse or neglect during childhood or adolescence.
  • Unstable or chaotic family ambiance during childhood.

Complications and consequences of the sociopathic personality disorder may include the spouse or child abuse, alcohol or substance abuse, low social or economic status, feeling of homelessness, gang participation, homicidal or suicidal tendencies, criminal activity, and premature death generally due to violence.

Diagnosis
People suffering from sociopathic personality disorder are very unlikely to accept the fact that they need help. However, they may seek help and advice from their health care provider because of the other symptoms such as anger outbursts, anxiety, and depression.

A significant part of the diagnosis is how the affected person relates to others. Family and friends may be able to provide important information.

The diagnosis is based on few factors:

  • A psychological evaluation that is based on thoughts, feelings, relationships behavior patterns and family history
  • Personal and medical background
  • Symptoms which have been listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Although before the age of 18, antisocial personality disorder isn’t diagnosed, symptoms and other signs may occur in childhood years.

Treatment for the sociopathic personality disorder

  • One should look for medical and mental health professionals with experience in treating antisocial personality disorder.
  • People with this disorder generally don’t seek treatment on their own. They may only start the therapy when compelled to do so, by court orders.
  • In the case of some people, rewards for appropriate behavior and negative impact on improper behavior may show the result. Talk therapy may also help.
  • Individuals suffering from other disorders that are related to the sociopathic personality disorder are treated for those issues as well.
  • The treatment would depend on the person’s situation, his willingness and participation and the state or condition of the symptoms.

Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is often referred to as talk therapy. Talk therapy is one of the practices used to treat the sociopathic personality disorder. Therapy may be given on issues related to anger, violence, drug and alcohol abuse and other psychological conditions. Psychotherapy doesn’t always give positive results. There are times when the person will not admit that he is a threat, and during these times, psychotherapy is of hardly any use.

Medications
No specific medications are approved by the food and drug administration in order to treat the sociopathic personality disorder. Doctors generally prescribe medications for symptoms associated with this disorder, such as an act of depression, an act of violence or anxiety. Drugs need to be prescribed cautiously as some could be potentially misused.

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