Antisocial Personality Disorder (for sirio11)
 

Excellent poster and great guy sirio11 (I'll add him to the thread starter list next update) wanted to discuss this here:

[sirio post]
--

I read the following definition in the internets.

How many poker players fit this definition?



Antisocial Personality Disorder is also known as psychopathy or
sociopathy. Individuals with this disorder have little regard for the
feeling and welfare of others. As a clinical diagnosis it is usually
limited to those over age 18. It can be diagnosed in younger people
if the they commit isolated antisocial acts and do not show signs of
another mental disorder.

Antisocial Personality Disorder is chronic, beginning in adolescence
and continuing throughout adulthood. There are ten general
symptoms:

not learning from experience
no sense of responsibility
inability to form meaningful relationships
inability to control impulses
lack of moral sense
chronically antisocial behavior
no change in behavior after punishment
emotional immaturity
lack of guilt
self-centeredness

People with this disorder may exhibit criminal behavior. They may
not work. If they do work, they are frequently absent or may quit
suddenly. They do not consider other people's wishes, welfare or
rights. They can be manipulative and may lie to gain personal
pleasure or profit. They may default on loans, fail to provide child
support, or fail to care for their dependents adequately. High risk
sexual behavior and substance abuse are common. Impulsiveness,
failure to plan ahead, aggressiveness, irritability, irresponsibility,
and a reckless disregard for their own safety and the safety of
others are traits of the antisocial personality.

Socioeconomic status, gender, and genetic factors play a role.
Males are more likely to be antisocial than females. Those from
lower socioeconomic groups are more susceptible. A family history
of the disorder puts one at higher risk.

There are many theories about the cause of Antisocial Personality
Disorder including experiencing neglectful parenting as a child, low
levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, and belief that
antisocial behavior is justified because of difficult circumstances.
Psychotherapy, group therapy, and family therapy are common
treatments. The effects of medical treatment are inconclusive.
Unfortunately, most people with Antisocial Personality Disorder
reject treatment. Therefore, recovery rates are low.

--
[end sirio post]

I think this, and personality disorders in general, are a very interesting topic. And, yes, I agree that there's quite possibly a higher degree of some of this stuff within the poker and online community as compared to the general population.

Re: Antisocial Personality Disorder (for sirio11)
 

In the "what's your personality disorder?" thread the majority of those who responded had test results pointing in this direction.

I doubt very many are true sociopaths though.

Re: Antisocial Personality Disorder (for sirio11)
 

"Antisocial Personality Disorder" sounds like some BS term some shrink came up with, I mean it basicaly sounds like Introverted + Selfish, and calling it a disorder seems to imply that its not their fault that they are selfish, which is probably an important precept for a therapist who is charging his patient an hourly fee.

Re: Antisocial Personality Disorder (for sirio11)
 

[ QUOTE ]
"Antisocial Personality Disorder" sounds like some BS term some shrink came up with, I mean it basicaly sounds like Introverted + Selfish, and calling it a disorder seems to imply that its not their fault that they are selfish, which is probably an important precept for a therapist who is charging his patient an hourly fee.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where did you get introversion from? No one I've met who exhibits these characteristics has been someone I would call an introvert.

Re: Antisocial Personality Disorder (for sirio11)
 

This is a subject of significant personal interest to me. W/ specific regard to antisocial personality disorder, there is a to me fascinating school of thought which regards the antisocial and histrionic personality disorders as essentially the masculine and feminine manifestations of the same disease:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histrio...ality_disorder

Read these over side by side and it seems to make a great deal of intuitive sense.

Re: Antisocial Personality Disorder (for sirio11)
 

[ QUOTE ]
"Antisocial Personality Disorder" sounds like some BS term some shrink came up with, I mean it basicaly sounds like Introverted + Selfish, and calling it a disorder seems to imply that its not their fault that they are selfish, which is probably an important precept for a therapist who is charging his patient an hourly fee.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am somewhat introverted and very selfish/self-centered. That said, I exhibit none of the symptoms except:

no change in behavior after punishment
self-centeredness

I probably fit your definition of introverted+selfish, but I am definitely not a sociopath. I have a few friends who are the same way.

Re: Antisocial Personality Disorder (for sirio11)
 

I'm not a huge fan of the term "Personality Disorder" because it makes it sound like this is a qualitative personally difference as opposed to essentially just someone different enough in degree (according to at least one psychologist I suppose) to be considered officially different.

Re: Antisocial Personality Disorder (for sirio11)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"Antisocial Personality Disorder" sounds like some BS term some shrink came up with, I mean it basicaly sounds like Introverted + Selfish, and calling it a disorder seems to imply that its not their fault that they are selfish, which is probably an important precept for a therapist who is charging his patient an hourly fee.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where did you get introversion from? No one I've met who exhibits these characteristics has been someone I would call an introvert.

[/ QUOTE ]

Im confused. Its anti-social personality disorder, how can someone who is an extrovert suffer from an "anti-social" disorder?

JaBlue,

Well there are obviously different levels to these characteristics, they would have to give examples about what it means to "not care about other people", etc.

I just think "anti-social personality disorder" sounds like a gigantic category and is pyschobable.

Re: Antisocial Personality Disorder (for sirio11)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"Antisocial Personality Disorder" sounds like some BS term some shrink came up with, I mean it basicaly sounds like Introverted + Selfish, and calling it a disorder seems to imply that its not their fault that they are selfish, which is probably an important precept for a therapist who is charging his patient an hourly fee.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where did you get introversion from? No one I've met who exhibits these characteristics has been someone I would call an introvert.

[/ QUOTE ]

Im confused. Its anti-social personality disorder, how can someone who is an extrovert suffer from an "anti-social" disorder?


[/ QUOTE ]

I think in this context antisocial doesn't mean "not sociable" but rather unable to participate in society in an acceptable way. Think of someone who appears popular and outgoing, has a ton of acquaintances, but can't seem to maintain healthy close friendships and romantic relationships.

Re: Antisocial Personality Disorder (for sirio11)
 

[ QUOTE ]
"Antisocial Personality Disorder" sounds like some BS term some shrink came up with

[/ QUOTE ]
These people used to be known as psychopaths, then sociopaths, and now there is a new PC term. The main trait is that they literally don't care about other people and have no conscience. They have no sympathy or empathy for others and care only about benefiting themselves. For example, some learn to be quite charming and good at picking up women, but ultimately view them only as a vessel for sexual release and have literally no qualms about lying to or (emotionally) hurting them. The disorder can actually be an advantage in the business world, and some estimate the rate at the upper-echelons is much higher than the general population. IIRC, around 2% of males fit the symptoms, so there are a lot more of these people walking around than you realize.