Antisocial Personality Disorder

Personality disorders are mental health disorders that are defined by established and enduring patterns of behaviour and thinking that interfere with your ability to function and maintain healthy relationships, and in general, impact your life negatively.

There are 10 personality disorders that are divided into 3 clusters:

  • Cluster A: Odd or abnormal behaviour
  • Cluster B: Dramatic or emotional behaviour
  • Cluster C: Anxious or fearful behaviour

Antisocial personality disorder is categorized under Cluster B (dramatic or emotional behaviour). Antisocial personality disorder is related to conduct disorder. However, conduct disorder is diagnosed in children and teenagers, while antisocial personality disorder is diagnosed in adults. The two disorders do have some traits in common, most notably that people with these disorders resist conforming to various societal behavioural norms.

Symptoms & signs of antisocial personality disorder

  • Lack of empathy or remorse
  • Complete disregard for authority or law
  • Extreme impulsiveness
  • Aggressive irritability towards others
  • Hostile actions and violence towards others
  • Disregard for personal safety or the safety of others
  • Lying or stealing regularly

When is it time get help?

Like many other mental health and personality disorders, people with antisocial personality disorder don’t always see that they have a problem – they may believe the problem is with other people! If you find you possess the above symptoms and you have trouble interacting with people, maintaining relationships, and find yourself in trouble legally, its time to get assessed to see if you have antisocial personality disorder and to seek support.

Antisocial personality disorder treatment methods

Treatment methods that may be effective in treating antisocial personality disorder include:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)is an evidence-based approach to treatment that focuses on how people’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behaviour and how they perceive themselves.
  • Rational Emotive Therapy generally views, thoughts, feelings and actions as having a reciprocal cause-and-effect relationship and that one needs to emphasize all 3 of these modalities in their interactions when impacting behavior.
  • Gottman Couples Therapy believes that couples need to be able to work on becoming better friends, learn to manage conflict, and create ways to support each other’s hopes for the future.
  • Solution focused therapy views people as inherently strong and resilient, and capable of creating change and discovering solutions to their everyday problem.
  • Reality therapy generally believes that individuals choose their behaviour and as a result, are responsible for not only what they are doing, but also how they think and feel. Clients develop the psychological strength to evaluate their own behaviour and acquire more effective behaviour with the support of a warm and accepting counselling environment.
  • Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a treatment method that is similar to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) but emphasizes building skills to manage stress, mental health issues, and the psycho-social aspects of relationship building.

Before any therapeutic treatments are recommended, a full assessment must first be completed by one of Insight Psychological’s licensed therapists. Once you’ve had an assessment, your therapists will discuss with you the best treatment methods for your unique circumstances and personality.

What will I get out of treatment with Insight Psychological?

By meeting with a therapist, you can learn to manage symptoms and reduce harm to those in your life and to yourself because of your antisocial personality disorder. You will find ways to understand the impact this disorder has on you and your loved ones and find ways to manage and understand your emotions and fears, and to have healthier relationships with others. We have knowledgeable and non-judgmental therapists who can support you. Please call us today! 

Brooke Hendricks

Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Assessments

Loriann Quinlan

Edmonton South, Edmonton West, Online

Adults, Seniors

Brandi Enns

Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Families, Couples, LGBTQ community, Sexuality, Assessments

Sabrina Brady

Edmonton Central, Edmonton North, Online

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Seniors, Couples, LGBTQ community, Sexuality, Assessments

Karla Buchholz

Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Seniors, Families, Couples, LGBTQ community, Sexuality

Terri Mulveney

Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Children (3-5), Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), LGBTQ community

Nikesha Deenoo

Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Seniors, Sexuality

Nicole Donovan

Edmonton South, Online, Sherwood Park

Adults, Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17)

Kathryn Maier

Edmonton North, Online

Adults, Children (3-5), Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), Families, Assessments

Cody Cobler

Edmonton North, Online

Adults, Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), Families, LGBTQ community

Dawn Doucet Banting

Edmonton South, Online

Adults, Children (3-5), Children & Youth (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), Seniors, Families, Couples, LGBTQ community

Chantelle Owen

Edmonton South, Edmonton Central, Online, Edmonton West

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Families, Couples, LGBTQ community, Sexuality

Luke Suelzle

Edmonton South, Online, Edmonton Central

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Families, Couples, Sexuality

Kim Phua

Edmonton North, Online

Adults, Adolescents (13-17), Seniors, Families, Couples, LGBTQ community, Sexuality, Assessments

Dr. Hendriatta Wong

Corporate Services

Shirley Leonard

Corporate Services

Shaheel Hooda

Corporate Services

Lisa Standeven

Corporate Services

Tara-Lee Goerlitz

Corporate Services

At this time, Insight Psychological does not have therapists who specialize in this specific area, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help you! Please contact us to talk with our Intake Personnel to find a therapist that is a good fit for you and your unique circumstances.