Antisocial personality disorder is a personality disorder characterized by deficits in empathy, remorse, and conscience. People with this disorder are more likely to behave in ways that are socially unacceptable, cruel, and sometimes even violent or illegal.1,2 These types of behaviors are some of the most obvious signs and symptoms of antisocial personality disorder.
What Is Antisocial Personality Disorder?
Antisocial personality disorder (or APSD) is a very serious psychological disorder that is diagnosed in adults who display a pattern of antisocial behavior. Antisocial behaviors are actions that disregard or violate the rights of other people, and often ones that cause physical or psychological harm to others.1,3 Sociopaths and psychopaths have the most severe forms of the disorder, and are considered a danger to society because of their likelihood to hurt, abuse, and exploit other people.4
What Are the Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder?
The symptoms of antisocial personality disorder are outlined in the DSM 5, the ultimate reference guide for diagnosing all mental health disorders. Antisocial behaviors like lying, stealing, acts of aggression and impulsive or irresponsible decisions are some of the most obvious symptoms of APSD.1 Less obvious signs of APSD include a lack of empathy and remorse for their actions, and a general cool, detached, or apathetic demeanor.2,3
Below are 15 of the most common antisocial personality disorder symptoms:
1. Disregarding Rules, Norms, & Laws
People with antisocial personality disorder often disregard rules, social norms, and even sometimes break laws.1 They may believe they’re ‘above the law’ or that the ‘rules don’t apply’ to them, or at least act in this way. For example, people with APSD are more likely to engage in crime, violence, and to lie, cheat, and steal from other people.2 This disregard for rules and laws is what makes antisocial people so dangerous.
2. Hostile or Aggressive Behavior
Some people with antisocial personality disorder are openly hostile and aggressive towards other people. They may yell, scream, or call people names at work when they’re upset or angry, or they may even become physically aggressive towards others. Violent, hostile, and aggressive behaviors is one of the more common signs of a psychopath, who are known to have a more violent disposition.2,4
3. Deceptive or Dishonest Behavior
Lying is an antisocial behavior, and is one of the hallmark symptoms of antisocial personality disorder. While normal people feel guilty or bad when telling a lie, someone with antisocial personality disorder does not.1,2,3 People with APSD often lie, cheat, and deceive other people to get things they want, and some are even pathological liars who are more likely to lie than tell the truth, even when they have nothing to gain.5
4. Exploiting Others for Personal Gain
One of the key differences between sociopaths and psychopaths (who both have severe forms of APSD) is that sociopaths are more likely to exploit and manipulate others. Psychopaths, on the other hand, may use more direct forms of aggression or intimidation to get things they want. Examples of exploitative behaviors include forming strategic relationships with people who have wealth or power, and using these people to get ahead.4
5. Unexpected Fits of Rage or Anger
Anger is one of the few emotions that a person with antisocial personality disorder may be able to feel and express. People with this personality disorder often have a restricted range of emotions, but are prone to outbursts of anger or rage. They may be extremely irritable and quick to yell, scream, or even become aggressive when they are upset or don’t get exactly what they want from others.1,2
6. Irresponsible or Reckless Decisions
A pattern of reckless and irresponsible behavior is common in people with antisocial personality disorder, who often will seek instant forms of gratification.1,2,3 For example, a large percentage of people diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder engage in recreational drug and alcohol use, gambling, and promiscuity.3 They also may quickly lose interest in activities, becoming easily bored and seeking out new, more exciting thrills.6
7. Superficial Charm That Wears Off Over Time
Some people with antisocial personality disorder have the ability to turn on the charm in order to draw people in and gain their trust. People who first meet them might be impressed with their charisma, sense of humor, or ability to captivate a room full of people. Usually, this charm is superficial in nature, and wears off when people get to know them better. Over time, antisocial people tend to show their true colors, which are a lot less charming in nature.2,6
8. A Hunger for Power & Control
Researchers have long known that there are a disproportionate amount of sociopaths and psychopaths in executive leadership positions. For example, people with antisocial traits can often be found in high level government positions, as CEOs of large companies, or other positions of power.7 This is no coincidence, and is instead an unfortunate truth that it’s easier to get ahead when you’re willing to be ruthless and act without conscience.6
9. Using Coercion or Intimidation Tactics
Another one of the symptoms of antisocial personality disorder in the DSM 5 is the use of coercion or intimidation.1 Antisocial people use these kinds of tactics to get things they want, silence or control those who oppose them, and prevent being held accountable for their actions. For example, they may threaten or blackmail people who may expose a secret or use coercion or intimidation to get people to do things they want.
10. A Lack of Clear Direction or Life Purpose
People with antisocial personality disorder tend to lack purpose, meaning, and direction in life. Because they are mostly apathetic and emotionally detached, it’s difficult for them to develop long term goals, passions, or meaningful activities and relationships.8 Their lack of direction and purpose in life might also help to explain why they tend to be impulsive. Impulse control normally comes from weighing out the short-term pleasures vs the long-term goals and values, which people with APSD may not have.
11. Ruthless Attacks Against Opponents
Because someone with antisocial personality disorder lacks empathy and remorse, they can be ruthless when attacking someone who opposes them. They are known to seek revenge against people who have “wronged” or “slighted” them in the past, and their revenge can be brutal.2,4,6 For example, they could attack a person’s character or reputation so badly that the person loses their job or is unable to find work in the future. They may be especially ruthless against people who they perceive as a potential threat to them.
12. A Lack of Empathy, Guilt, & Remorse
It bears repeating that a lack of empathy, guilt and remorse is one of the most common symptoms of antisocial personality disorder. While some people with APSD (including sociopaths) may feel a twinge of regret if they do something to hurt someone close to them, they lack the capacity for true remorse.(DSM) It’s usually easy for them to shrug off or justify their actions, even when they’ve really hurt or offended someone. Because they’re emotionally stunted, they also have trouble relating and empathizing with others.3
13. A Cold, Callous, or Detached Attitude
Antisocial personality disorder symptoms can also show up in a person’s overall mood and affect. People with APSD are often described as emotionally detached, indifferent, and even cold or callous2,3,6 For example, they may not seem affected at all when someone is hurt or emotional, and may not feel driven to help or assist someone in need. Some psychopaths even have a sadistic streak, and actually enjoy the pain and suffering of other people.4,6
14. Fearlessness & Risky Behaviors
People with antisocial personality disorder often have a blunted affect and restricted emotional range. Most people with APSD don’t experience nervousness, anxiety, and fear to the same extent as most people do.2,4 Their fearlessness can cause them to behave in reckless or dangerous ways, make risky decisions, or to seek out adrenaline rushes, even putting themselves in harm’s way.
15. Entitlement or Acting Superior to Others
Feeling superior to others, having inflated egos, or acting entitled is also common in people with antisocial personality disorder.3 This is especially true of malignant narcissists, who are diagnosed with both antisocial and narcissistic personality disorder. This combination is rather common, and can show up as acting better than others, entitled to special treatment, and angry when they aren’t treated with the respect or admiration they feel they deserve.5
Treatment for Antisocial Personality Disorder
Treatments do exist for APSD, but none have been proven to be completely effective. Part of the problem is that people with antisocial personality disorder rarely seek treatment on their own. When they are forced to (like in the case of court-ordered treatment), many will use their antisocial tactics to fake their way through treatment, without actually making lasting changes.3,5
Still, there is always hope for someone with APSD who has a true desire to change and improve. Finding a therapist who specializes in APSD is important, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy combined with psychiatric medication has helped some people with this condition. 3 Many people begin their search online using a free therapist directory which allows them to filter results based on their location, insurance type, and specific specialties.
Final Thoughts
People with antisocial personality disorder are often people who you want to avoid developing a relationship with. Because of their aggressive and emotionally manipulative tendencies, those who do get lured in by their charm often regret it later on. Knowing the signs and symptoms of antisocial personality disorder can help you spot antisocial traits, making it easier to protect yourself from these potentially dangerous individuals.
For Further Reading
- Psychopath Free (articles, information, resources, and tools like an online journal and support forums and chats)
- Mental Health America: Psychopathy vs Sociopathy
- Merck Manual: ASPD
Antisocial Personality Disorder Symptoms Infographics
