Antisocial personality Disorder (ASPD) is the most reliable personality disorder in terms of criteria. People with this disorder tend to antagonize, manipulate or treat others harshly or with callous indifference. They show no guilt or remorse for their behavior. (Mayo Clinic 2017). There are a very high rate of criminals diagnosed and undiagnosed in prisons. Substance abuse such as alcohol and drugs are used at a proportionally high rate among those with ASPD.
Overall individuals with ASPD are violent (Narayna 2007). Onset can begin in adolescents. Most individuals are diagnosed after 18 years of age however in extreme cases may diagnosed as young as 15 (Psychcentral.com). Interestingly this behavior of ASPD usually starts in childhood and is more common in men. Evidence suggest this disorder is caused by genetics but also environment seems to play a key role as well (Crowe 1974). Individuals with ASPD are suspected to have definitive structural differences in the brain. This is unique compared to the other personality …show more content…
These two disorders together show unique differences in the brain. The neurotransmitter serotonin is believed to be a factor with individuals with low mood, aggression, and substance abuse. Thus it is likely that ASPD and substance abuse could be the result of serotonin excitation or inhibition. A study was done with group of men with ASPD and substance abuse disorder according to DSM-111-R. They were compared to a healthy male control group. The were given a “serotonin agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine ( m-CPP), and prolactin (Moss 1990). The study suggests that the serotonin receptor 5-HT caused by the drug decreased aggression which is an inverse relationship. So it is possible that SSRIs could have a positive effect on ASPD (Moss 1990). Thus unlike the other personality disorders in cluster b, drug therapy specifically affecting serotonin levels could help treat people with ASPD in the
Overall individuals with ASPD are violent (Narayna 2007). Onset can begin in adolescents. Most individuals are diagnosed after 18 years of age however in extreme cases may diagnosed as young as 15 (Psychcentral.com). Interestingly this behavior of ASPD usually starts in childhood and is more common in men. Evidence suggest this disorder is caused by genetics but also environment seems to play a key role as well (Crowe 1974). Individuals with ASPD are suspected to have definitive structural differences in the brain. This is unique compared to the other personality …show more content…
These two disorders together show unique differences in the brain. The neurotransmitter serotonin is believed to be a factor with individuals with low mood, aggression, and substance abuse. Thus it is likely that ASPD and substance abuse could be the result of serotonin excitation or inhibition. A study was done with group of men with ASPD and substance abuse disorder according to DSM-111-R. They were compared to a healthy male control group. The were given a “serotonin agonist m-chlorophenylpiperazine ( m-CPP), and prolactin (Moss 1990). The study suggests that the serotonin receptor 5-HT caused by the drug decreased aggression which is an inverse relationship. So it is possible that SSRIs could have a positive effect on ASPD (Moss 1990). Thus unlike the other personality disorders in cluster b, drug therapy specifically affecting serotonin levels could help treat people with ASPD in the