Personality disorders are stable patterns of experience and
behavior that differ noticeably from patterns that are considered normal by a
person’s culture. Symptoms of a personality disorder remain the same across
different situations and manifest by early adulthood. These symptoms cause distress
or make it difficult for a person to function normally in society. There are many
types of personality disorders, including the following:
-
Schizoid personality disorder: entails social withdrawal and
restricted expression of emotions
-
Borderline personality disorder: characterized by impulsive
behavior and unstable relationships, emotions, and self-image
-
Histrionic personality disorder: involves attention-seeking
behavior and shallow emotions
-
Narcissistic personality disorder: characterized by an
exaggerated sense of importance, a strong desire to be admired, and a lack of
empathy
-
Avoidant personality disorder: includes social withdrawal,
low self-esteem, and extreme sensitivity to negative evaluation
-
Antisocial personality disorder: characterized by a
lack of respect for other people’s rights, feelings, and needs, beginning by
age fifteen. People with antisocial personality disorder are deceitful and
manipulative and tend to break the law frequently. They often lack empathy
and remorse but can be superficially charming. Their behavior is often
aggressive, impulsive, reckless, and irresponsible. Antisocial personality
disorder has been referred to in the past as sociopathy or
psychopathy.
Etiology of Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD)
Researchers have proposed that the following biological factors might be
related to the etiology of antisocial personality disorder:
- People with this disorder may have central nervous system
abnormalities that prevent them from experiencing anxiety in stressful
situations. Because they feel no anxiety, they never learn to avoid behavior
with negative consequences.
- Such people may also have a genetically inherited inability to control
impulses.
- Some researchers have suggested that antisocial personality disorder
may be caused by brain damage. Injuries to the prefrontal cortex, which is
involved in planning and impulse control, may be particularly involved.
As with other disorders, however, biological factors alone are
often not enough to cause APD. Environmental factors, such as family abuse
or dysfunction, also play a large role in the development of APD. Generally,
it is the combination of these environmental factors with the biological
vulnerability that brings on the disorder.
