Antisocial Personality disorder....

nurse43cat · Jul 10, 2006

hmmm when I was working on adolescent unit, I had to go back several times to the term of sociopath and look in the manual for the cluster of sign and symptoms and apply them to these individuals and keep my guard up ALWAYS...

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Jul 10, 2006

hmmm when I was working on adolescent unit, I had to go back several times to the term of sociopath and look in the manual for the cluster of sign and symptoms and apply them to these individuals and keep my guard up ALWAYS...

I'll bet.

StuPer · Jul 11, 2006

Hi

I guess I would say no I havent seen anyone successfully treated with this diagnosis, but I would measure that against the fact I havent worked in any specific programs/facilities that cater for this client group.

The other thought is that, as with many personality disorders, until the person themselves see the impact and consequences of their behaviour AND want to change it, your chances are virtually zero.

When the defining characteristic of APD is a lack of ethical and moral consideration for others, frequently with violent and criminal behaviour, its difficult to see how best to approach this group. It appears to peak in the early 20's and by age 35 most people are in remission, but still have problems. Much of what I've read indicate that it is the natural progession that finally puts a stop to the behaviours rather than any formal treatment/programs.

Sorry I couldnt be of much help.

regards StuPer

CharlieRN · Jul 13, 2006

or sociopathy. I want to know if anyone has ever seen this successfully treated. Also, I'd like to talk about what could be done to warn the public about the con artists that stem from this disorder. This is something very real to me that I have dealt with and it's been devastating. I've had to move on from my experience with this, but I just feel like somehow people don't see these people coming and before you know it, they have destroyed everything in their paths. They can be so convincing.

I have never seen successful tx but then I work exclusivly inpatient. Psychiatrist that I asked said most of these folks are "treated" in the criminal justice system.

cat123 · Jul 20, 2006

or sociopathy. I want to know if anyone has ever seen this successfully treated. Also, I'd like to talk about what could be done to warn the public about the con artists that stem from this disorder. This is something very real to me that I have dealt with and it's been devastating. I've had to move on from my experience with this, but I just feel like somehow people don't see these people coming and before you know it, they have destroyed everything in their paths. They can be so convincing.

I had a pt. with this many years ago during my clinicals. He bragged about it and stated he was there because he had committed murder. He was in with depressed pts.and all the other non-violent pts. I found this scary because he was always going off.

Meerkat · Jul 21, 2006

I'm sorry about your bad experiences! I recommend an excellent book that sheds a great deal of light on the subject and is a real eye opener. It's called The Sociopath Next Door. Scary stuff. I'm glad you are brave and strong enough to move on after your experiences with sociopaths. There's more out there than we realize.

sbic56, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2006

CRNASOMEDAY

Sorry for your unfortunate exerience. Sociopaths are not treatable. They have a defect in that they lack conscience. That can't be fixed. I, too, had a horrible experience with one, despite my being trained in the profession. Lot of good that did! They can be very charismatic and convincing. Appropriately, most grow old and lonely as their charm fades with years and they just end up being pathetic. Just desserts.

Pick up this book, it is very insightful:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1572304510/sr=1-2/qid=1153484789/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-0055030-6466229?ie=UTF8&s=books

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Jul 25, 2006

I'm sorry about your bad experiences! I recommend an excellent book that sheds a great deal of light on the subject and is a real eye opener. It's called The Sociopath Next Door. Scary stuff. I'm glad you are brave and strong enough to move on after your experiences with sociopaths. There's more out there than we realize.

I have already read that book and the guy "Luke", well that was my husband all over. He was exactly the same way. He had no interest in the kids unless he needed food, money, or somewhere to sleep and then he was all "oh, I miss my kids".

I thought I was losing it because he kept gaslighting me. Turns out I was just a target for abuse and conning. Go figure. I can spot one 300 miles away now. Just look out for active campaigns for your sympathy and over the top charm. It's really obvious if you're looking for it. I just wish I'd known that nine years ago. Anyone watch Dateline a few nights ago? There was a woman on there saying she had cancer, heart attacks, kidney failure etc. She conned people into giving her money, vacations, and even called these people and would tell them she was in the hospital getting chemo. she had her poor kids worried about her being sick as weel as these people! No one thought it weird that she was tan, healthy and able to go on various vacations. On chemo you get weak, so how are you able to go to the tanning bed and on vacation? Someone caught onto this and alerted her poor husband who was working overtime to keep up with her demands for money and gifts. Finally he wised up. He took her to court for custody of the kids and a divorce and they found out she had NEVER been in the hospital for chemo or kidnet failure or a heart atack! She'd made the whole thing up just to get monet and sympathy. I used to say, how can you be so stupid, but now I realize even if a person's story doesn't add up, most people say "Why would someone lie like that?" A sociopath will and it's so sad that they can't be helped.