Conduct disorder is commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents who display chronic antisocial behavior. The prevalence of life-course-persistent antisocial behavior has been estimated to be fewer than 10% in population-representative samples.
What is antisocial behavior?
A person with antisocial personality disorder, commonly referred to as sociopathy, consistently disregards right and wrong as well as the rights and feelings of others. People with antisocial personality disorder treat others in a hostile, cunning, or ruthless manner. They don’t admit any regret or guilt for what they did.
It is believed that a mix of genetic and environmental variables, particularly child abuse, contribute to antisocial personality disorder. It appears to be linked to a number of issues, including:
- Childhood conduct disorder diagnosis
- Antisocial personality disorder or other personality disorders or mental health illnesses run in the family
- Being a victim of abuse or neglect as a youngster
- Childhood family life that was unstable, violent, or chaotic
- In contrast to women, men are more likely to develop an antisocial personality disorder.
What is covert antisocial behavior?
Covert antisocial activities like stealing and property destruction are an essential subtype of externalizing behavior patterns that have the significant predictive potential for adolescent delinquency while being less visible than overt actions like fighting and assault.
How does poverty relate to antisocial behavior?
First, childhood poverty has been linked to antisocial behavior at many stages of life. Children from low-socioeconomic-status (SES) families are more likely to exhibit chronic aggression during their first four years of life, participate in major crime and violence during adolescence, and continue their antisocial conduct as adults.
Second, antisocial behavior in children and adolescents has been linked to a variety of negative adult outcomes, including physical health issues, broad-spectrum psychiatric disorders, economic/occupational challenges, and engagement in crime and violence.
Third, the societal costs of antisocial behavior are enormous, with estimates putting the total cost of crime in the United States (US) between $1 and $2 trillion per year.
Taken together, the research shows that childhood poverty is a significant risk factor for the development of antisocial conduct, a serious and critical societal issue.
When do life-course-persistent antisocial acts emerge in life?
Children and teenagers have a wide range of antisocial behaviors. Antisocial behaviors become less common when young individuals enter late adolescence and adulthood, due to developmental changes that occur during puberty. However, some persons have severe and persistent behavioral issues that are accompanied by significant functional disability.
According to Office of National Statistics (ONS) surveys between 1999 and 2004, their prevalence was 5% among children and young people between ages 5 to 16.
What are the other mental disorders that have been linked to antisocial youth?
The most common mental disorder linked to the development of Antisocial personality disorder is conduct disorder (CD). Other disruptive behavior disorders, like oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may also predispose young people to antisocial behavior.
According to Moffitt (1993), what initiates life-course-persistent antisocial behavior?
According to Moffitt, life-course antisocial behavior is primarily caused by cognitive impairment suffered at a young age. Those affected begin life normally but the subject begins to act antisocially when they confront a maturity gap, which is the perceived age difference between biological and social age. This gap occurs as their needs for independence, material things, and sexual contact grows during puberty, yet society still considers them young and places limits on them.
What is the cure for antisocial behavior?
The cure for antisocial behavior depends on the cause and context. If a person has an antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) the condition can be managed, not cured. The long-term management of ASPD necessitates preserving supportive networks and good relationships.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on improving a person’s thinking and behavior. People with ASPD may benefit from therapy that encourages them to consider how their actions affect others. Individual, group or family therapy may be beneficial to someone with ASPD.
Along with ASPD, medication usually only assists persons with violence, despair, or unstable moods. Your doctor might suggest:
- Antidepressants
- Antipsychotics
- Mood stabilizers