WK 2 Discussion: Answer Discussion question 250 word. Respond to 3 classmates 250 words each.
Objectives:
CO1: Summarize the link between mental illness and criminal behavior.
CO2: Debate how mental health issues influence behavior.
CO3: Synthesize the mental health diagnosis of conduct disorder.
Discussion Question 2: Antisocial personality disorder is often associated with an individual failing conform to social norms, being impulsive, and deceitful. Taking what you know about anti-social personality disorder discuss the prevalence of this disorder among the general population and the criminal population. Additionally identify the types of crimes these individuals are most likely guilty of committing. Conclude with you identifying and discussing what the best treatment options are for this disorder.
Classmate 1 Emanual: According to the United States National Library of Medicine (2021), “Antisocial personality disorder is a mental condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights of others without any remorse.” (p.1). The same article reports that the cause of this disorder is unknown. However, a person’s genes and other factors, such as child abuse, may contribute to developing this condition (NIH, 2021, p.1). Moreover, Hull (2021) noted that “Approximately 3% of the United States population suffers from an antisocial personality disorder.” (p.2). Additionally, Hull (2021) argued that “Approximately 80% of individuals with an antisocial personality disorder will have started to show symptoms by the age of 11.” (p.2).
As discussed, individuals with ASPD will have started to display symptoms during their adolescent years. According to the Cleveland Clinic (2021), “Traits of ASPD usually develop during late childhood or the early teen years. Before age 18, the condition gets diagnosed as conduct disorder.” (p.1). Furthermore, the Mental Health of America organization (2021) reveals that studies had indicated that the rate among boys in the general population suffering from conduct disorder ranges from 6% to 16%, while the rate among girls ranges from 2% to 9%. (p.1). Many experts argue that conduct disorder comorbid with other mental illnesses, if left untreated, will likely become severe and can rapidly elevate the probability of the adolescent engaging in crimes as an adult. As mentioned in this week 2 lesson, “A child with conduct disorder who goes untreated often becomes an adult who has a high risk of becoming a criminal and even becoming a violent offender with possible incarceration.” (Week 2 Lesson, 2021, para.9).
Black et al. (2010) noted that in a study of 320 incarcerated offenders, ASPD was present in 113 subjects (35.3%) (NIH, 2021, p.1). Moreover, Davison & Janca (2012), argued that “Adults with antisocial personality disorder scores were associated with most offenses, especially obstruction of justice, firearms, robbery and blackmail, escape and breach, fraud, burglary and theft as well as violence.” (p.2). According to the authors, the scores were obtained using the National Survey of Psychiatric Morbidity in Prisoners and Wales to examine the connection between different personality disorder subtype scores and lifetime offenses. On the other hand, adolescents with conduct disorder will likely commit crimes such as theft, shoplifting and will engage in physical fights (NIH, 2021, p.1). Many experts argue that there is a well-established connection between personality disorder and offending. Thus, many people would agree that treatment options for antisocial personality disorder and conduct disorder can effectively prevent and decrease the likelihood of criminal acts from individuals suffering from these conditions.
The Cleveland Clinic (2021) suggests that psychotherapy may help individuals who have an antisocial personality disorder. The same article defines psychotherapy as a type of counseling that focuses on changing a person’s thinking and behavior. Family and group therapy is also recommended by some experts (Cleveland Clinic, 2021, p.1). On the other hand, the Hopkins Medicine Organization (2021) recommends cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, peer group therapy, and medicines for treatment to manage conduct disorder. Like psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy assists the child in learning to solve problems, communicate, and handle stress better.
In closing, as discussed, an anti-social personality disorder is prevalent among the general population and the criminal population. As many experts suggest, the cause of this mental disorder is unknown. Nevertheless, a person’s genes and other factors, such as child abuse, may develop this condition. Symptoms of ASPD will have started to show by the age of 11. When a person starts to show ASPD symptoms before reaching the age of 18, the individual will be treated or diagnosed with conduct disorder.
As mentioned, adults with antisocial personality disorder were associated with most offenses, primarily violent crimes, obstruction of justice, and blackmail. On the other hand, juveniles with disorder conduct were associated with theft, shoplifting, physical fights. As previously noted, studies have shown that there is a well-established connection between personality disorder and offending. Thus, treatment options for antisocial personality disorder and conduct disorder can be effective alternatives to prevent and decrease the likelihood of criminal acts from individuals suffering from these conditions. In addition to the recommend treatments, early intervention would be among the most effective treatment for both conditions. Early intervention can prevent the condition from worsening and may decrease these individual’s probability of criminal acts.
References
Black, D. W., Gunter, T., Loveless, P., Allen, J., & Sieleni, B. (2010). Antisocial personality disorder in incarcerated offenders: Psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life. Annals of clinical psychiatry: official journal of the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists, 22(2), 113–120.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20445838/
Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Antisocial personality disorder. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/965…
Davison, S., Janca, A. (2012). Personality disorder and criminal behavior.http://www.antoniocasella.eu/archipsy/Davison_Janc…
Hull, M. (2021). Personality disorders facts and statistics. https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/p…
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2021). Conduct disorder. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-…
Metal Health of America. (2021). Conduct disorder. https://mhanational.org/conditions/conduct-disorde…
United States National Library of Medicine. (2021). Antisocial personality disorder. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000921.htm
Classmate 2 Natalie: From a general aspect, individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder often begin their adolescent years with the diagnosis of Conduct Disorder. There is truly not a difference when it comes to the diagnosis of both of the disorders, the difference can be seen in regards to age. If the behavior is not noticed as an adolescent then it can escalate to criminal acts. People with Antisocial Personality Disorder are guilty of committing various crimes and being involved with drugs. Individuals with this disorder have no regard for the difference between right or wrong, let alone any remorse for their actions. Thus, these individuals start off small and work their way up to more heinous crimes if the behavior is not attempted to be altered. It is evident that individuals with ASPD commit an “endless series of offences: stealing, burglary, car-theft, larceny…” (Stone, 2007).
An example, is with a Scotland man named Archibald McCafferty in which he had already began vandalizing and committing thefts by the young age of eight. As years went by, McCafferty’s behavior did not change, committing “larceny, receiving stolen goods… and the occasional fist fight” (Stone, 2007). Due to this, it was apparent that leading into his adulthood he had become familiar with the neighboring jails as well as drugs. Despite these negative aspects, McCafferty did end up getting married, however, shortly after he “cheated on his wife and when home, battered her” (Stone, 2007). In time they had a child together and his wife accidentally “smothered the child to death” (Stone, 2007). This traumatic incident caused McCafferty to continue to indulge in drugs, which led him to “kill random victims,” thus leading him to be sentenced to life in prison (Stone, 2007).
While that was trying to make a long story short, it is evident that if ASPD is not attempted to be treated at a young age then the events only get worse. Not siding with McCafferty and his actions, however, McCafferty’s parents did not aid in trying to help change his behavior. Therefore, it can be assumed that McCafferty most likely had symptoms of Conduct Disorder as a youth which in turn metamorphized into Antisocial Personality Disorder due to lack of treatment and support.
As stated previously, Antisocial Personality Disorder is closely correlated with Conduct Disorder. In order to treat Antisocial Personality Disorder it is advised to start as early as possible. In adolescents with Conduct Disorder it is directed for them to go through various therapy sessions, however, from an internal perspective (i.e. family), rather than through a hospital. Therapy is recommended for an adolescent because it aids in the child, “learning healthier ways to interact with others” (Child Mind Institute, 2021). However, it is crucial for the child to go through therapy over a long period of time, as well as those involved in the child’s life to take part in the journey.
While, “there is no medication specifically for conduct disorder… kids sometimes have other disorders as well, like depression or bipolar disorder” (Child Mind Institute, 2021). In this instance, medications can be included to assist in treating the child. In a study, one medication that was used to treat CD was Lithium. Lithium is known as a mood stabilizer, in which it “helps reduce the severity and frequency of mania” (Casarella, 2020). In regards to the study, lithium and a placebo were given to thirty-three subjects that had been diagnosed with CD. The subjects ranged from 12 to 17 years of age and the treatment was given to them over a span of two weeks. To determine if lithium was beneficial or not to the treatment of CD, physicians rated the subjects each week on an Overt Aggression Scale. “This scale measures… verbal aggression, physical aggression against self, physical aggression against objects… other people” (Moeller, 2006). Due to the lack of subjects and short duration of treatment, the results “failed to support a difference between lithium and placebo treatment… in adolescents”(Moeller, 2006).
As it was stated previously that therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adolescents, “an appropriate algorithm fails to exist today” when it comes to therapy for adults (Fisher, 2021). It has been seen as ineffective due to the severity of the potential harms that occur within adulthood, such as committing crimes that was discussed earlier. Instead, medications are highly recommended due to there being links between ASPD and other disorders. Medications such as, “risperidone, quetiapine… sertraline, fluoxetine, lithium…” are used to treat individuals associated with the disorder. Therefore, it is evident that therapy and medications are the only plausible treatments for the disorder. However, it is pivotal that the families, coworkers, and so forth, that are involved remain vigilant, despite the disorder being taxing at times.
References
Casarella, J., MD. (2020, September 11). Lithium Treatment for Bipolar Disorder: Side Effects and More. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-lithium
Child Mind Institute. (2021, September 07). Quick Guide to Conduct Disorder. Retrieved from https://childmind.org/guide/quick-guide-to-conduct-disorder/
Fisher, K. A. (2021, May 21). Antisocial Personality Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546673/
Moeller, F. G. (2006, April 01). Lithium treatment of conduct disorders in adolescents. Retrieved from https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/ajp.154.4.554
Stone, M. H. (2007). Violent crimes and their relationship to personality disorders. Personality and Mental Health, 1(2), 138-153. doi:10.1002/pmh.18
Classmate 3 Jamie: Mayo Clinic’s definition of antisocial personality disorder states, “Antisocial personality disorder, sometimes called sociopathy, is a mental disorder in which a person consistently shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others. People with antisocial personality disorder tend to antagonize, manipulate or treat others harshly or with callous indifference. They show no guilt or remorse for their behavior” (Mayo Clinic, n.d). This week’s lecture referenced Glied & Frankwhich emphasizes thatantisocial personality disorder is a cultivated disorder from youth conduct disorder that eventually fosters criminality. Criminality is developed according to what an individually believes is acceptable. Furthermore, empathetic response is not natural for those who suffer from this disorder. For instance, individuals who have an inherent belief their criminal action has just cause do not observe their actions as wrong. Blair discusses empathetic and decision-making impairment among youth develops those with antisocial behaviors (Blair, 2013). These impairments are the root cause for the mental disorders from a psychological standpoint. The traits presented in the definition would lead one to think that crimes against persons, such as assault, homicides, sexual assaults, robbery or any crimes that is abuse of another person, would be the types of crimes committed by an individual with antisocial personality disorder. Theses crimes innately have no regard for the other person’s emotional or physical well-being. Antisocial personality disorder is prevalent in the criminal population, especially among repeat offenders. There is a propensity for criminal behavior when there is no ability to understand or relate to the suffering of another.
For some reason, in reviewing this definition, I couldn’t help but relate the definition to what is socially acceptable on social media platforms. The described traits seem to be promoted in the general population, receive more popularity and attention then what right. Granted, these behavioral traits are considered a disorder because they are on a consistent basis as opposed to advertised social trends. However, these traits are becoming sociable accepted and learned in adolescence. These traits are extremely prevalent in general population and has shown to be monetarily beneficial. WebMD references environmental and psychological factors are causes for conduct disorders (WebMd, n.d). Since personalities are formed in the stage of childhood, what is observed as socially accepted or beneficially has significant effects. Our juvenile populations are being shaped by what is observed a socially acceptable regardless of its trending status. Copeland mentions matured criminality maybe reduced if juvenile delinquency is addressed (Copeland &et.al, 2007). Juvenile crimes are given a substantial grade of leniency; therefore, adult criminality is compelling because there is no legitimate address to juvenile issues. Agreeable, the juvenile court system, seeks the best interest for the juvenile offender, but, in turn it disregard sthe victim which perpetuates the antisocial behavior. The best treatment for this disorder is adequately addressing conduct disorders in adolescent years with proper psychological and environmental support. (Copeland & et. al, 2007). Psychotherapy for youths should become more prevalent to address the increase of antisocial behaviors.
References
Blair, R. J. R. (2013). The neurobiology of psychopathic traits in youths. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, 14(11), 786–799.Retrieved from https://www-proquest-com.ezproxy1.apus.edu/docview/1458738070?pq-origsite=primo&accountid=8289
Copeland, W. E., Miller-Johnson, S., Keeler, G., Angold, A., & Costello, E. J. (2007). Childhood Psychiatric Disorders and Young Adult Crime: A Prospective, Population-Based Study. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(11), 1668–1675.Retrieved from https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/…
Mayo Clinic. (n.d) Antisocial personality disorder. Diseases and Conditions. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ant…
WebMd (n.d). Mental health and conduct disorder. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-c…
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