Anti-Social Disorder

Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by overwhelming anxiety, and excessive self-consciousness in everyday situations. People with social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others. They are always afraid of being embarrassed or humiliated by their actions, this in turn can have a severe effect on work, school, or any other ordinary activity. Common symptoms that accompany social phobia are; blushing, sweating, trembling, difficulty talking, nausea, and other stomach discomfort. These symptoms can be a fear themselves, once someone starts to worry about the symptoms, they have a better chance developing them.

Social phobia (Antisocial disorder) can be passed on genetically, however the more common cause is believed to be the amygdala. The amygdala is a small structure in the brain that is believed to control fear responses. Research is ongoing, but this is the most excepted and widespread theory. It also tends to occur more often in people whose predominant role model had antisocial features.

Psychotherapy is nearly always the treatment for this disorder, and sometimes medications will be used to stabilize mood swings. There is no research that supports the use of medications for direct treatment. Most individuals will not voluntarily seek treatment. Many times it takes a court to mandate therapy, or a significant other to seek the treatment for them. Therapy focuses on the patients emotions (or lack thereof), and is usually taken with others that have the same disorder. Groups are especially helpful for people with this disorder, however most will not seek self-help.

Many effects on the individual deal with unlawful behavior, failure of job and family responsibility, reckless personal behavior, and aggressive behavior. Since people who have antisocial disorder often experience difficulties with authority figures, this is often the most common and severe effect on the individual. Some other effects of antisocial disorder are; Failure to conform to social norms, deceitfulness, impulsively, irritable, reckless disregard for safety of self or others, consistent irresponsibility, and lack of remorse

As of 1999 about 3.7% of the US population ages 18-54 (5.3 million) Americans had some form of social phobia. Antisocial disorder occurs in women twice as often as in men, although a higher proportion of men seeks help for it. The disorder typically begins in childhood or early adolescence and rarely develops after age 25.

In conclusion, antisocial disorder is a terrible and very serious disorder that can reek havoc on people s lives. One can t realize the seriousness of this disorder until they experience themselves. In a society were there is so much interaction with other people it would seem almost impossible to stay happy, and enjoy life with a disease so devastating and overwhelming.