Diagnosing
To be diagnosed with antisocial behavior a person must represent symptoms in childhood (conduct disorder). A person usually is not diagnosed until after age 18, but must represent symptoms through childhood. This can be difficult to diagnose and treat since people with antisocial behaviors would not seek care, or listen to others. It may take a court mandate for people to seek treatment they need. Diagnosis is done by a trained mental health professional.
DSM IV entry criteria- A. There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15, 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. Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure. 3. Impulsivity 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 or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another. B. The individual is at least age 18 years of age. C. There is evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before age 15. D. The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of Schizophrenia or a manic episode.
'Because the criteria for diagnosing Antisocial Personality Disorder emphasize overt violations of social rules, it is not surprising that it correlates so well with criminality. Research on American criminals showed that 25 to 30 percent of the imprisoned inmates meet the criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder. Canadian researcher Robert Hare (1983) reported that 40 to 50 percent of the convicted prisoners in Canada met the criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder and that in some Canadian prison populations the rate was as high as 75 percent. Psychopathic prisoners on average, have longer sentences and are less successful in staying out of prison than nonpsychopathic prisoners'-DSM IV TR
Read more about this topic: Anti-social Behaviour