Antisocial Personality Disorder: a different perspective?

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There are two men with whom I have been acquainted during the past two years. One works as a nurse in a local hospital. The other is a talented psychotherapist who has worked in the past with prison convicts, and he now makes his living helping patients who suffer from chronic pain. They are both extremely gifted people, and they do have a genuine curiosity about the world. Both of these men have admitted to meeting some of the diagnostic criteria for antisocial personality disorder.

In spite of this label, though, both of them have very pleasant personalities and generally stable temperaments. Ironically, given the reputation of this disorder, they have another thing in common: they make their living by providing assistance for people who are in deeply distressing situations. They are very successful at it, and they are respected for what they do.

Here is one interesting thing about them, though: both of them are capable of intellectually understanding the idea of compassion. In fact, they both seem to have a recognition for its importance. What makes them different, though, is that their emotions are not directly affected by it. In spite of valuing it, they seem to view it with a sense of casual detachment.

While we are contemplating alternative views on autism and Asperger Disorder, I have another interesting thought. Perhaps those who are known to society as "sociopaths," possibly doomed to spend their lives in and out of prison, may also deserve a second look. I don't have a well-formed theory of the condition at this time, but what I do know of it is that, when faced with an ethical decision, they perform equally to non-sociopaths when required to give their decision a few brief moments of thought. What does this suggest?

Of all groups, this one may benefit the most from receiving better psychiatric care. Some of them, in fact, may turn out to have a great capacity for reform if given the proper medical attention. If nothing else, it is an interesting thing to contemplate, given society's natural aversiveness to helping those who are affected with this disorder.

Maybe after dealing with people all day they want to spend some time by themselfs.

I have a firend (At least I think he is) that was anti-social in school, I was one of his only friends and only person he'd open up to. Today all he does is play World of Warcraft, sure he is interacting with people but it would be nice to see him in person.

This is why I hate MMORPGs. I play offline RPGs because I can play to a storyline, and if I want to leave, all I have to do is save and turn off the system without pissing off anyone in a raid.

Now imagine the fun of meeting criteria for both ASD and APD/DPD/psychopathy.

Anyway, this is sure a topic of controversy. From the few info, I believe you're talking about APD or psychopathic personality traits here. Or the very form of APD/DPD/psychopathy that would not get diagnosed. Rather than about diagnosed APD/DPD.

Remember, a diagnosis is made by a professional if there is an impairment or danger obvious. The same debate as with AS being a non-disabling difference applies here - psychopathic traits all along, but not usually diagnoseable as such. Lack of obvious display = lack of impairment and danger.

Which nowadays translates into being 'perfectly healthy'.

In the easiest instance, it depends on which traits people meet. It is certainly different to be unable to feel guilt, acting on impulse and be violent due to that as opposed to violent and antisocial behaviour that is accompanied by psychological co-morbidities. Such as mood disorders, PTSD caused by abuse and the presence of suicidal thoughts.

That just strikes me as entirely different. Especially since the cause of APDs is still discussed.

Another difference between displayed controlled and criminal behaviour seems to lie just there. Genetic traits and environmental reasons seem to play slightly different roles. Worst case scenario is both adding up of course.

I'd say it's best to assume he worst case scenario is represented by a vast vast majority of those with APD. I'm sure you wouldn't enjoy crossing the paths of these people who are in prison and arouse the public's attention.

Well, I was thinking that there could be two different versions of it, as with autistic spectrum: a positive version, which will necessarily lead to criminal behavior, and a negative version, in which the person affected may intellectually embrace a sense of morals but lack the instinctive motivation for it. It is a funny concept, but I find it interesting. What do we do, for example, for gifted children who are affected with this?

The men in question are capable of functioning in their fields because of their lack of instinctive empathy. It allows them to continue working where other peolple would need either a break or emotional counselling. They work it to their benefit, and, again, they're respected for what they do. And yes, the diagnosis has actually been suggested to them by trained clinical psychologists. I don't know whether they've ever been officially labelled so, but they literally have no sensitivity to feelings of distress in others. It just doesn't push any buttons for them.

Don't like them? People don't like Aspies, either. Too bad. The world's going to have to live with all of us, so let's not stand for any group being unnecessarily abused or, worse, subject to early neglect for a treatable condition.