To be able to understand what Antisocial Personality Disorder is, you first must understand what a personality disorder is. A personality disorder is a psychological disorder that effects ones personality and how they relate to the rest of the world. Someone with a personality disorder has a lot of trouble dealing with their surroundings and the people in it. People with personality disorders can be inflexible, intolerant and often fear change or the thought of change. In many cases the person with the personality disorder feels they are acting completely "normal." Unfortunately, it can be the exact opposite of the social norm. Those who suffer with the disorder have trouble adjusting to social situations and may act in two extreme ways. They may either act completely withdrawn and sheltered, hiding from the public whenever possible or they may act erratic and out of control, which makes it difficult to go into public in the first place. .
There are three categories of Personality Disorders:.
A) Odd or eccentric behavior (types of disorders that fall under this category are Schizoid Personality Disorder, Paranoid Personality Disorder and Schizotypical Personality Disorder.).
B) Dramatic, emotional or erratic behavior (types of disorders that fall under this category are Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder or Narcissistic Personality Disorder.).
C) Anxious fearful behavior (types of disorders that fall under this category are Avoidant Personality Disorder, Dependent Personality Disorder and Compulsive Personality Disorder.).
(www.nmha.org, Personality Disorder).
It is very common for different characteristics and aspects of each category to intertwine with another personality disorder, because of this it is very hard to categories any specific disorder. .
What is Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)?.
Antisocial Personality Disorder falls under the second category, dramatic, emotional or eccentric behavior.