Aetiology and Treatments of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) by emphasising its characteristics, pathological causes and treatments. ASPD is identified as a type B personality disorder which is characterised by consistently disobeying social norms and lacking remorse. The following sections discuss the contributors to ASPD from both nature (biological) and nurture (environmental) perspectives, highlighting the essential influences of inheritance and adverse childhood experiences. Specifically, this study explores the abnormalities in brain structures involving the frontal lobe and amygdala, as well as the effects of abuse and ignorance in its development. In addition, this paper recalls the treatment methods, with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) exhibiting a higher possibility of reducing violent behaviours, while the psychodynamic approach and pharmacological intervention function to mitigate comorbidities of ASPD. Furthermore, ASPD behaviours in real life have been addressed through analysing the case study of Ted Bundy, illustrating the importance of diagnosis and intervention in the early stages. The findings supply useful suggestions for relevant experts and professors and also help society to better understand the complexity of ASPD.