Antisocial Behavior :Treatment, Procedure, Cost And Side Effects

Antisocial personality disorder often called sociopathy is a condition in which a person tends to ignore the feelings and rights of others and shows a disregard for the same. Those who are prone to this behavior tend to manipulate and treat others harshly or sometimes with an indifference. They never feel guilty of being harsh or rude. In some situations, they violate laws and often become criminals. They may be addicted to alcohol and drug and may lie, behave violent and impulsive. They fail in coming up with family, work or school-related responsibilities.

The signs and symptoms of such behavior include:

1. The tendency to exploit others by lying and deceit.
2. Being disrespectful to others.
3. Gaining personal pleasure by manipulating others.
4. No feelings of regard to right and wrong.
5. Arrogant feeling, superiority complex
6. A sense of irritation, aggression, violence, and agitation prevails
7. Violating rules and rights and dishonest behavior
8. A sense of failure and impulsiveness.
9. No guilty feeling even after hurting or harming others
10. Abusive relationships
11. Failing to learn or regret about negative consequences.
12. Failing to fulfill responsibilities and financial obligations.

These behavior problems can cause incidents like

1. Destruction of property
2. Theft
3. Violation of rules
4. Aggression towards animals and people
5. Deceitfulness

Most of the symptoms persist for the lifetime but sometimes criminal and destructive behavior tends to decrease with age or can also decrease because of realizing consequences of behavior. If any of your dear ones are affected, you can urge them with love and politeness to consult a doctor. For the first time, one can seek the medical attention of primary care physician or either mental care professional.

For an accurate diagnosis, a doctor must understand how the affected person relates to others. Family members and friends can provide information which might be useful in examination and diagnosis. Once primary care physician evaluates medical symptoms and rules out medical conditions, he will suggest whether further evaluation is necessary by a mental care physician.

The diagnosis comprises of following:

1. A psychological examination which figures out about feelings, relationships, thoughts, behavior and family history
2. Medical and personal history
3. Evaluation of symptoms as listed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association.

These disorders are difficult to treat. Long-term treatment and follow up seems to be beneficial. It is difficult to get completely cured of these symptoms. It is advisable to take treatment from experienced and qualified surgeons who have handled antisocial personality disorders over the past.

One must be willing to participate in the treatment and related activities. Recovery depends on the situation and severity of the symptoms.

• Psychotherapy: It is basically a talk therapy where the doctor engages the person through a set of interaction to treat the disorder. This includes treating anger and violence, substance abuse and other mental health disorders. This is less effective if the symptoms are severe and if the patient is not able to accept the fact that she is prone to serious disorders.
• Behavior therapies:There are different kinds of behavior therapies. One who is addicted to drugs and cocaine was treated using cognitive behavioral therapy. Contingency management proved to be effective in improving social functioning. It involves positive reinforcement to recreate desired behavior. Substance use disorders can be treated effectively using cognitive management. Therapy may be effective or may not be. It depends upon the interest of the person and his attitude. If he is willing to participate and really want to get out of it, then these therapies can be made effective. If one can use empathy and decrease the aggressiveness, behavioral therapy works best for them. Though these disorders are common after the age of 18, some cases are detected among teens. Behavioral therapy is used to treat them as well. Teens who underwent this therapy tend to show less aggressiveness and reduced criminal behavior.
• Medications: There are no particular medications for antisocial personality disorder. Often medications are given to treat anxiety, depression, and aggression. Drugs need to be given with care as some will have a tendency to misuse. Anti-depressant drug Pamelor (nortriptyline) is used to treat alcohol-related problems associated with antisocial behavior. Anti-epileptic drugs are used to treat aggression in antisocial behavior affected people. They can control seizures and can treat mood disorders. Dilantin (phenytoin) when users tend to decrease the impulsive aggressive acts in such affected people. Anti-epileptic drugs Depacon (valproate) or Depakote (divalproex sodium or valproic acid), Tegretol (carbamazepine), and Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) also proved in reducing aggression among patients.

Apart from these psychiatric conditions and mental health problems are also treated. These people are at high risk of anxiety and depression. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat anxiety and depression.

Personality development is an outcome of the interaction of environmental factors with inherited qualities and thoughts. Though actual cause behind such behavior remains s unknown, it is believed that when life situations worsen genes become vulnerable leading to antisocial personality disorder. The arrogant and harsh behavior is due changes in the way one’s brain functions. If a person is having symptoms of such disorder for a prolonged time, leading to substance, relation, and alcohol misuse, then he or she is eligible for diagnosis and treatment.

There are no as such specific restrictions for treatment. Those who are having symptoms can undergo treatment. Early detection and prevention can save you from undertaking medications for depression and drowsiness.

If you are prescribed with depression medications, you may have some side effects like nausea, vomiting, weight gain, lower sex drive, sleeping problems, and vision problems. There are no risks associated with therapies and other medications.

Follow up and multiple sessions might be required in case of behavior therapy.

1. Any symptoms of depression and anxiety must be reported to a doctor and treated properly.
2. Support from family members and friends are important to create awareness and recover the patient from such behavior.
3. Medications if any must be followed properly.
4. You must drink plenty of water.
5. Engaging in activities like meditation and yoga would be an added advantage.
6. Follow a healthy diet.

Since the root cause of the disorder is unknown, recovery is dependent on the severity of symptoms, and situations.

The treatment cost depends on the experience of the health care professional and hospital you are choosing. Consultation would cost you around Rs 500- Rs 800 on an average. Each session of therapy may be charged around Rs 1000-Rs 1500. You may have to undergo multiple sessions. Medications are not that much costly. On an average, it can cost you somewhere around Rs 1000-Rs 1500.

The tendency of abuse and misbehavior tend to decrease with increasing awareness. The results can be effective and beneficial if the person is willing to participate and recover from the disorder. The results can be for a long-term if the person has a self-motivation to come out of it.

1. Yoga and meditation can help in preventing the symptoms and behavior from worsening.
2. Research and studies are on the way to find the exact cause and prevention of this disorder.