Antisocial personality disorder a

Question 1

“Antisocial personality disorder

Answer 1

is a type of chronic mental
condition in which a person’s ways of thinking, perceiving
situations and relating to others are dysfunctional — and
destructive.

Question 2

People with antisocial personality disorder

typically

Answer 2

have no regard for right and wrong and often

disregard the rights, wishes and feelings of others

Question 3

Antisocial personality disorder signs and symptoms may

include:

Answer 3

Disregard for right and wrong
Persistent lying or deceit to exploit others
Using charm or wit to manipulate others for personal gain or
for sheer personal pleasure
Intense egocentrism, sense of superiority and exhibitionism
Recurring difficulties with the law
Repeatedly violating the rights of others by the use of
intimidation, dishonesty and misrepresentation
Child abuse or neglect
Hostility, significant irritability, agitation, impulsiveness,
aggression or violence
Lack of empathy for others and lack of remorse about harming
others
Unnecessary risk-taking or dangerous behaviors
Poor or abusive relationships
Irresponsible work behavior
Failure to learn from the negative consequences of behavior

Question 4

People with antisocial personality tend

Answer 4

They may often violate the law, landing in
frequent trouble, yet they show no guilt or remorse. They may
lie, behave violently or impulsively, and have problems with
drug and alcohol use. These characteristics typically make
people with antisocial personality disorder unable to fulfil
responsibilities related to family, work or school

Question 5

Nurses who have worked
with people who have
personality disorders have
reported the following
reactions:

Answer 5

Apprehension –
Anxiety – 
Dislike – 
Inconsistency of Care
Intense Feelings

Question 6

Apprehension –

Answer 6

constant
crises and emotional intensity
puts them ‘on edge’

Question 7

Anxiety –

Answer 7

due to
unpredictable, stressful or
manipulative behaviours

Question 8

Dislike –

Answer 8

due to the person’s
difficulties with
relationships, their company
may be unpleasant, leading to
avoidance

Question 9

Inconsistency of Care

Answer 9

taff
may try to avoid or appease
the person, leading to ‘staff
splitting’ and conflict

Question 10

Intense Feelings

Answer 10

staff
report their own intense
feelings (positive and
negative) towards the person
– ‘buttons pushed’, making it
difficult to maintain
professional distance and
therapeutic relationship

Question 11

Personality disorders are thought to be caused

Answer 11

by a
combination of genetic and environmental influences. Some
people may have genes that make them vulnerable to
developing personality disorder — and life situations may
trigger its development

Question 12

To be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder

Answer 12

a
person must meet the symptom criteria in the latest
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM)