Personality disorders are
enduring and inflexible patterns of thinking or behavior that interfere with
an individual's social, occupational, or other important areas of
functioning. Many offenders involved in deviant crimes often demonstrate
traits of personality disorders such as Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD),
which can be extremely dangerous if the individual also has sadistic traits.
This combination produces a person that enjoys inflicting pain and suffering
on others and lacks empathy for the victim. Psychopathy is often used
interchangeably with ASPD, yet is not recognized in DSM-IV. To read more
about psychopathy, click
here.
Below is the diagnostic criteria for the antisocial, narcissistic, and
borderline personalities as presented in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, (Fourth Edition).
Diagnostic criteria for 301.7 Antisocial
Personality Disorder
A. There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights
of others occurring since age 15 years, as indicated by three (or more) of
the following:
(1) failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as
indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
(2) deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or
conning others for personal profit or pleasure
(3) impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
(4) irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical
fights or assaults
(5) reckless disregard for safety of self or others
(6) consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain
consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations
(7) lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing
having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another
B. The individual is at least age 18 years.
C. There is evidence of Conduct Disorder with onset before age 15 years.
D. The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the
course of Schizophrenia or a Manic Episode.
(pp. 649-650)
Diagnostic criteria for 301.81 Narcissistic Personality
Disorder
A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for
admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in
a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
(1) has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements
and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate
achievements)
(2) is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance,
beauty, or ideal love
(3) believes that he or she is "special" and unique and can only be
understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people
(or institutions)
(4) requires excessive admiration
(5) has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of
especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her
expectations
(6) is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to
achieve his or her own ends
(7) lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings
and needs of others
(8) is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or
her
(9) shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes
(p. 661)
Diagnostic criteria for 301.83 Borderline Personality Disorder
A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships,
self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood
and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the
following:
(1) frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not
include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.
(2) a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships
characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and
devaluation
(3) identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or
sense of self
(4) impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging
(e.g., spending, sex, Substance Abuse, reckless driving, binge eating).
Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in
Criterion 5.
(5) recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating
behavior
(6) affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense
episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and
only rarely more than a few days)
(7) chronic feelings of emptiness
(8) inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g.,
frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)
(9) transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative
symptoms
(p. 654)
References
American Psychiatric Association.
(1994) Diagnostic and statistical manual of
mental disorders, (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
E-mail your questions or suggestions to
Bryan Nelson
