Antisocial personality disorder more common than you think

Just recently, Joseph DeAngelo was sentenced to life in prison without parole for

13 murders and rapes committed back in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Dubbed as the “Golden State Killer,” DeAngelo made headlines last month, which emphasized the amount of misery caused to his victims and their families.

It’s believed he has been responsible for far more than simply the cases charged and may have had as many as 87 victims in various places across California.

Some media sources mentioned DeAngelo’s “psychopathy,” but did not explore the details of exactly what this term means.

Psychopathic, sociopathic, and antisocial personality disorders are all basically the same. They describe a behavioral style that has been around forever, but terms used to label it have changed over the years with the latest being “Antisocial Personality Disorder.”

Today, the term generally applies to adults over 18, but characteristics may appear earlier in life in what is known as “Conduct Disorder.” The difference is that some children may grow out of CD, but adults rarely leave their APD diagnosis behind.

There are those who believe only criminals have criteria for APD, but there are some on this side of the fence who may appear to be socially adaptive and successful, but display some of the same symptomatology. They can include examples from the following groups: Politicians, social activists, community leaders, attorneys, business people, law enforcement personnel, medical professionals, the clergy — actually, just about anyone from any walk of life.

The percentage of people with this disorder varies depending on which sources you cite, but generally, it runs anywhere from three to five percent of the population. While mostly males, females are certainly not immune from this diagnosis.

So what exactly are the characteristics of this personality style? There are several criteria to examine, but here are a few:

1. Disrespect for rules, laws and the rights of others: The sociopath sees him or herself as smarter and more clever than most people. Moral standards usually involve only one, which is, “Anything is perfectly OK, as long I benefit.” The rights of others are rarely respected. Someone else being hurt by their behavior is simply a non-issue.

2. Bullying and intimidation can be signs of ADP: “Getting one’s way” without considering the feelings or the needs of others is common. In business for example, this personality type has no concern for ripping off prospects, and view them as suckers or hopelessly naïve.

3. Lies, deception and manipulation as common methodologies: If sociopaths think people will believe a lie, they’ll say it. They also know with repetition, many more believers will follow. In other words, the end justifies the means.

4. Impulsivity and the need for immediate gratification: However, some APDs with superior intelligence may be more patient, cold and calculating — having goals and objectives based on how cleverly they take advantage of others.

5. Irritability and aggression: Fighting, assaults — either verbal or physical, may be part of the picture — especially for the impulsive. Those who appear to be more socially adaptive and respectable may engage in more calculated and delayed aggression.

6. Alcoholism, drug abuse, gambling and other vices: These activities are often part of the sociopath’s regular routine. Irresponsible risk-taking can also be observed.

7. Lack of conscience and remorse for their own personal behavior: This is the most common and unique characteristic of APD — especially when it causes harm to others. They lack empathy. Their willingness to blame others is a certainty.

How one becomes a psychopath is controversial. Some social scientists believe it is environmental while others have presented credible evidence that these characteristics can be traced to biological markings and hereditary factors.

Unfortunately, psychological treatment for an APD is usually ineffective with some exceptions. About the only things that change the interpersonal dynamics of most with this personality style are advanced age and death.

People should not armchair judge individuals based on the limited information reported in this column. There can be other diagnostic conclusions drawn on these criteria, or perhaps no DX may be appropriate in certain cases. Therefore, only trained, experienced professionals should determine who presents with possible APD.

But I hope I’ve given you a basic understanding of what this personality style is like, along with some aspects of what makes an extreme case of APD, such as the Golden State Killer, tick.