cluster B personality disorder

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Cluster B personality disorder:

Cluster B personality disorder is characterized by dramatic, overly emotional or unpredictable thinking or behavior. They include antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic and narcissistic personality disorder.

Antisocial personality disorder:

Antisocial personality disorder (AS PD) or (APD) is defined by the pervasive and persistent disregard  for moral , social norms and the right  and feeling of others. Individual with this disorder will typically has no compunction in exploiting others in harmful ways for their own gain and pleasure and frequently manipulate and deceive  other people achieving this through wit and a facade of superficial charm or through intimidation and violence. They may display arrogance , think lowly and negatively of others and lack remorse for their harmful actions and have a callous attitude to those they have harmed. The diagnoses of AS PD is not given to individuals under the age of 18 but is given only if a history of some symptoms of conduct disorder before 15.
       AS PD is much more common in males than in females. The highest prevalence of AS PD is found among males who abuse alcohol or drugs or who are in prisons or other forensic setting.

Symptoms:

Symptoms may include:

  • disregard for society's laws
  • violation of physical and emotional rights of others
  • lack of stability in job and home life
  • irritability and aggressiveness
  • lack of remorse
  • consistent irresponsibility 
  • recklessness, impulsivity
  • deceitfulness
  • a childhood diagnoses conduct disorder

Cause:

Genetic causes:

Research into genetic association in AS PD is suggestive that AS PD has some or even a strong genetic basis. Prevalence of AS PD is higher in people related to someone afflicted by the disorder Twin studies which are diagnosed to discern between genetic and environmental  effects, have reported significant genetic influences in AS PD and conduct disorder.

 Physiological causes:

Hormones and neurotransmitters:

traumatic events can lead to disruption  of the standard development of the central nervous system, which can generate a release of hormones that can change  normal patterns of development.
    Testosterone is a hormone that plays an important role in aggressiveness in the brain. For example criminals who have committed a violent crimes tend to have higher levels of testosterone than the average person.
    One of the neurotransmitters that have been discussed in individuals with AS PD is serotonin, also known as 5HT. It has been shown that lower levels of serotonin may be associated with AS PD.

Neurological causes:

Antisocial behavior may be related to head trauma. Antisocial behavior is associated with decreased grey matter in the right lentiform  nucleus. 

Environmental causes:

Family environment:

Some studies show that the social and environment have contributed to the development of antisocial behavior. The parents of those children have been shown to display antisocial behavior, which could be adopted by their children.

Cultural influences:

The socio-cultural perspective of clinical psychology views disorders as influenced by cultural aspects.Since cultural norms differ significantly, mental disorders such as AS PD are viewed differently.

Complications:

Complications, consequences and problems of AS PD may include:
  • spouse abuse or child abuse or neglect
  • alcohol or substance abuse
  • being in jail or prison
  • homicidal or suicidal behaviors
  • having other mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety
  • low social and economic status and homelessness
  • gang participation
  • premature death, usually as a result of violence

Treatment:

AS PD is one of the most difficult personality disorder to treat. Individual rarely seek treatments on their own and may initiate therapy only when mandated to do so by the court.There is no clearly indicated treatment for AS PD. Recently an anti psychotic  drug medication called clozapine has shown promising results in improving symptoms among men with AS PD.

References:

  • pAntisocial ersonality disorder.(n.d). Retrieved from: https//en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/antisocial-personality-disorder.Accessed on 8th march 2018
  • psychology today.(n.d).Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/antisocia;-personality-disorders.accessed on 8th march 2018
  • Antisocial personality disorder.(n.d). Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/antisocial-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353928

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