Antisocial Personality Disorder is a condition characterized by persistent disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others that begins in childhood or early adolescence and continues into adulthood. Deceit and manipulation are central features of this disorder. For this diagnosis to be given, the individual must be at least 18, and must have had some symptoms of Conduct Disorder (i.e., delinquency) before age 15. This disorder is only diagnosed when these behaviors become persistent and very disabling or distressing. And you may not be able to fulfill responsibilities to your family, work or school. People having antisocial personality disorder are sometimes referred to as "sociopaths" and "psychopaths", although some researchers believe that Psychopathy/Sociopathy are not synonymous with Antisocial Personality Disorder. Individuals with this disorder have an increased risk of dying prematurely by violent means (e.g., suicide, accidents, and homicide). Prolonged unemployment, interrupted education, broken marriages, irresponsible parenting, homelessness, and frequent incarceration are common with this disorder. Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders, Substance-Related Disorders, Somatization Disorder, Pathological Gambling (and other impulse control disorders), and other Personality Disorders (especially Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic) frequently co-occur with this disorder.

Signs and symptoms of antisocial personality disorder may include:

• Disregard for right and wrong
• Persistent lying or deceit
• Using charm or wit to manipulate others
• Recurring difficulties with the law
• Repeatedly violating the rights of others
• Child abuse or neglect
• Intimidation of others
• Aggressive or violent behavior
• Lack of remorse about harming others
• Impulsive behavior
• Agitation
• Poor or abusive relationships
• Irresponsible work behavior

The intensity of antisocial symptoms tends to peak during the 20s and then may decrease over time. It's not clear whether this is a result of aging or an increased awareness of the consequences of antisocial behavior. But while you might be less likely to commit crimes against others later in life, you may still have trouble functioning in relationships, work or school.

Although the precise cause of antisocial personality disorder isn't known, researchers have identified certain factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering antisocial personality disorder, including:

• Being diagnosed with childhood conduct disorder
• A family history of antisocial personality disorder or other personality disorders or mental illness
• Being subjected to verbal, physical or sexual abuse during childhood
• Having an unstable or chaotic family life during childhood
• Loss of parents through death or divorce during childhood

Antisocial personality disorder is relatively uncommon. It affects about 3 to 5 percent of men and 1 percent of women. It is more common among first-degree biological relatives of those with the disorder than in the general population
Cluster B Personality Disorders (dramatic, emotional, or erratic disorders)

A Cluster Personality disorder is one with symptoms of more than one of the four types identified as cluster B.  The Cluster B Personality Disorders are:

• Antisocial Personality Disorder: "pervasive disregard for the law and the rights of others."
• Borderline Personality Disorder: extreme "black and white" thinking, instability in relationships, self-image, identity and behavior
• Histrionic Personality Disorder: "pervasive attention-seeking behavior including inappropriate sexual seductiveness and shallow or exaggerated emotions"
• Narcissistic Personality Disorder: "a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy"

*For further information on Cluster B Personality Disorder see this topic in the soberMD topic index.