Understanding Antisocial Personality Disorder and The DSM Axes

Understanding Antisocial Personality Disorder and The DSM Axes:

Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is a mental health condition characterized by a pervasive pattern of disregard for the rights of others, lack of empathy, and a consistent violation of societal norms and rules. People with ASPD often exhibit manipulative and deceitful behaviors, a tendency towards impulsivity, irritability, and a lack of remorse for their actions. It’s important to note that a diagnosis of ASPD should be made by a qualified mental health professional based on a thorough assessment of the individual’s behavior and history.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a widely used classification system for mental health disorders. It provides criteria and guidelines for diagnosing various psychological conditions, including Antisocial Personality Disorder. The DSM-5, outlines the criteria for diagnosing ASPD as follows:

To be diagnosed with ASPD, an individual must meet certain criteria, including:

Impairment in Self-Functioning (Axis II):

Identity: Ego-centrism; self-esteem derived from personal gain, power, or pleasure.
Self-direction: Goal-setting is based on gaining personal profit, power, or pleasure.

Impairment in Interpersonal Functioning (Axis II):

Empathy: Lack of concern for feelings, needs, or suffering of others; absence of guilt or remorse for hurting others.
Intimacy: Incapacity for mutually intimate relationships; exploitation of others for personal gain.

Pathological Personality Traits (Axis II):

Antagonism: Manipulativeness, deceitfulness, callousness, hostility.
Disinhibition: Impulsivity, irresponsibility, risk-taking behaviors.

Stable and Pervasive Pattern (Axis II):

The pattern of behaviors described above must be stable and persistent over time, typically since adolescence or early adulthood.

It’s worth noting that the DSM-5 uses a dimensional approach, which means that a diagnosis may include a severity rating for each of the specific criteria.

Please remember that only a qualified mental health professional can make a diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder or any other mental health condition. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health concerns, seeking professional help is important for accurate assessment and appropriate treatment.
​Shervan K Shahhian