What does it feel like to have antisocial personality disorder?

Hi... I'm curious about ASPD. For no really good reason, its just I hear about it in the media and TV all the time, but I don't really understand it.

I've heard that people with ASPD don't experience empathy or guilt, is this true?

Surely people with ASPD can't be totally emotionless, so what emotions do you feel?

hmmm helloooooooo - everyone must be asleep meme_uk

Hello. I'm Michael, the resident psychopath and a person of antisocial personality. Pleasure.

Antisocial personality disorder is basically a wastebasket term for habitual criminals. There is much dispute over the diagnosis of ASPD because it covers a wide variety of different mindsets, from heartless monsters such as myself to individuals who grew up in a troubled home and fell into the "wrong crowd". (Seeming) Lack of remorse is one of the criteria for ASPD, but it's one of seven and only three are necessary for the diagnosis. The rest are as follows:

A) There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three or more of the following:

1. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;
2. deception, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure;
3. impulsiveness or failure to plan ahead;
4. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults;
5. reckless disregard for safety of self or others;
6. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations;
7. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another;

B) The individual is at least age 18 years. C) There is evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15 years. D) The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or a manic episode. (Courtesy of the DSM-IV as quoted from Wikipedia.)

Antisocials are capable of feeling the full spectrum of human emotion. They are typically individuals who were socialized to be criminals, although genetics may be a factor. Children who are exposed to criminal, violent, and/or otherwise antisocial behaviour tend to model that behaviour. They are capable of feeling guilt, but they usually rationalize criminal acts. They believe that their target deserved having been harmed because they "fell for it" and "it's survival of the fittest" or any other such whimsical notion. On the other hand, they do feel guilty for harming one of their friends or family. Gangs are a good example of this. Other antisocials may have been able to feel guilt and empathy, but it was never developed during those essential early years of childhood. This is usually due to abusive or negligent parents. It's more that they can't develop healthy relationships in which trust and empathy can flourish than truly not feeling guilt or empathy.

And then there are the psychopaths... These are the sort that don't feel empathy or remorse at all for anyone. It's a brain abnormality. Primary psychopaths can feel certain emotions to a far lesser degree than most people, and what emotions we do feel are usually fleeting. Complex emotions we're completely oblivious to. For example, I'll jump at loud noises, feel irritated by annoying company, content, interested, etc ... But I'll never understand empathy, horror, selfless love, compassion, etc.

I read a book which stated that secondary psychopaths feel guilt constantly. During childhood, secondary psychopaths were punished regardless of what they did, which lead to high guilt and anxiety that was never associated with a bad deed. It was an interesting concept, but I can't seem to find the book at the moment. If I do, I'll be sure to post bits of it.

That is confusing, as a psycopath you do not have the capability to feel any remorse or empathy for anyone. But as an antisocial you can have the full spectrum of feelings. That doesnt make sense either you can feel the senses of feelings as described or you can't.

?

Open Eyes

Except the notion that a decent amount of antisocials appear quite callous and one of the criteria, a (seeming) lack of remorse, the presence or absence of emotion has little to do with a diagnosis of ASPD.

Psychopathy, while not a diagnosis recognized in the DSM-IV, can be determined by the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (Hare). This scale measures both antisocial behaviours and interpersonal/affective traits, which include:

• Lack of remorse or guilt
• Shallow affect (genuine emotion is short-lived and egocentric)
• Callousness; lack of empathy

(courtesy of Wikipedia)

Thank you for the explanation Michael. I often wonder if there are normally varying degrees of the amount that a person can feel remorse guilt etc. Well, we are all somewhat unique.

Now, as you know we have been following the case of Casey Anthony. I don't think she has any real remose at all, I think that child was just an object to her. Curious as to what you think Micheal.

I have the opposite, too much empathy for others I think, however my neighbors could leave at any time and I would never miss them one bit. No I had to run out and calm down the horses and baby sit while they set off their fireworks tonite, it is not the 4th yet. I can't have a crippled horse panicing and getting worse, I can't afford any more damage, cant afford the damage that has already been caused. How would something like that effect you? Well, you may not have loved the horses but certainly you would have had a sense of value to these animals and what they were worth and could make in a business.

And I am pretty sure that I was born empathetic as well. I would really like to see the difference in my brain from yours. I just like to learn, I think the brain is pretty facinating. I do really like to learn about the different so called disorders and I enjoy trying to understand the minds of others and the possibility of overcoming some of the different so called disorders and I cant totally agree with that word disorder all the time. I guess I just don't like the labeling.

Open Eyes

Yes.

I haven't been following it.

I would be upset with my neighbours.

Hello, I am also a psychopath. I have a very strange degree of emotions. Most of the time I don't feel anything or it's a very shallow range of emotions, and when I do it's usually only negative emotions. I feel emotional pain the same as any normal person would, however since I don't have much to compare it to on the positive side, it often overwhelms me. I also don't feel remorse or empathy. It is very hard for me to relate to other people because I can't feel anything for most of them.

I'd like to provide insight to as an "antisocial by proxy" I suppose as a result of persistent/constant mania due to Bipolar Disorder Type I & NPD. Mainly because I have a whole bunch of free time, but also because I consider myself unique in the way I've chosen to function as a result of my perceived issues.

While I am aware that strong waves of emotion exist within me, they are usually fleeting & I feel that it's a personal choice whether I decide to feel connected to them or not. I forget where I read it, so you can excuse this as ******** if you please, but I heard of research done on people with ASPD who were tested on the parts of the brain in which they processed emotion. While neurotypical controls responded strongest in the emotional part of the brain, the amygdala, people diagnosed as antisocial responded similarly in the cognitive area of the brain, the prefrontal cortex.

I'm usually a pretty positive individual, but that's a result of my grandiosity & the fact that I focus on doing a lot to keep myself happy. Though this has become a "disorder" for me at many points in the past & assuredly in some future situations to come, I maintain a lot of focus on assuring that I don't unnecessarily allow my atypicalities defeat me & the progress I am capable of.

I've also managed to have meaningful relationships with others, though the intensity of emotional interactions is questionable at best... Hahahahaha. But everyone functions differently, regardless of the issue they are diagnosed with or labelled as.

I haven't been diagnosed, but I have a lot of Antisocial traits. I was diagnosed with Conduct disorder as a kid, but another doctor said Aspergers. I find it strange that psychiatrists can confuse Conduct disorder with Aspergers syndrome. Anyway, I also don't feel much emotion, and when I do, it's only ever negative emotions like hate, depression, rage. I very rarely can actually feel the feeling of love.

As for me,
I'm pretty severe. Do I manipulate? Yes, constantly.
As for empathy, I do know what I'm doing SOMETIMES, but most of the time, I'm clueless...
I'm trying to get better though... It is wrecking my life.