antisocial personality disorder

Definition of antisocial personality disorder

: a personality disorder that is characterized by antisocial behavior exhibiting pervasive disregard for and violation of the rights, feelings, and safety of others starting in childhood or the early teenage years and continuing into adulthood

Examples of antisocial personality disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Adults who consistently engage in antisocial-like behavior often are diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. — Dr. Yalda Safai, ABC News, "Lifelong antisocial behavior linked to abnormal brain structure: Study," 18 Feb. 2020 Newman diagnosed Christian with antisocial personality disorder, which is characterized by violence, aggression, lack of compassion for others and criminal thinking. — oregonlive, "Closing statements expected Tuesday in Jeremy Christian trial; recap of trial’s third week," 16 Feb. 2020 On the top of the list of the conditions that may lead to violent acts are substance use and personality disorders, specifically antisocial personality disorder. — Arash Javanbakht, The Conversation, "Can experts determine who might be a mass killer? 3 questions answered," 8 Aug. 2019 He was also diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder and cocaine abuse, according to the lawsuit. — Sydney Czyzon, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Mental health advocate sues county, says it failed to provide mental illness medication to her son in jail," 3 July 2019 Sociopathy is really an outdated, slippery term for what is known today as antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), according to the American Psychological Association (APA). — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "What Mental Health Experts Want You to Know Before Watching the Buzzy New YouTube Series ‘The Mind of Jake Paul’," 12 Oct. 2018 For instance, antisocial personality disorder can also cause a sense of superiority and lack of empathy. — Nina Bahadur, SELF, "9 Facts to Know About Narcissistic Personality Disorder Before Calling Someone a Narcissist," 8 Nov. 2018 Ballenger concluded that Jesse was at high risk for developing antisocial personality disorder, often called sociopathy, which cannot be diagnosed before age 18. — John Woodrow Cox, Washington Post, "Inside an accused school shooter’s mind: A plot to kill ‘50 or 60. If I get lucky maybe 150.’," 3 Mar. 2018 Ballenger concluded that Jesse was at high risk for developing antisocial personality disorder, often called sociopathy, which cannot be diagnosed before age 18. — John Woodrow Cox, Washington Post, "Inside an accused school shooter’s mind: A plot to kill ‘50 or 60. If I get lucky maybe 150.’," 3 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'antisocial personality disorder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Antisocial personality disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antisocial%20personality%20disorder. Accessed 10 Jul. 2020.

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antisocial personality disorder

Medical Definition of antisocial personality disorder

: a personality disorder that is characterized by antisocial behavior exhibiting pervasive disregard for and violation of the rights, feelings, and safety of others starting in childhood or the early teenage years and continuing into adulthood, that is typically marked by deceitful, manipulative, hostile, and reckless behavior and by a lack of remorse for having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from others, and is often associated with drug or alcohol abuse and criminal activity

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