What Is Therapy For Antisocial Personality Disorder?

People with ASPD may have difficulty forming or maintaining relationships, controlling their impulses, and may show aggressive or hostile behavior toward other people. While there is no cure for this disorder, treating antisocial personality disorder may help individuals manage their symptoms and lead healthier lives. Therapy for antisocial personality disorder may include talk therapy interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, anger and violence management, and as a treatment for co-occurring disorders such as substance use disorders (SUD). 

If you believe you or someone close to you may be living with ASPD, seeking professional help is important. A healthcare provider can help you understand what treatments are available and provide techniques to help those affected by this complex condition.

An introduction to antisocial personality disorder

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a type of personality disorder marked by a consistent pattern of disregard for the feelings and rights of others. Those with this disorder can have difficulty forming or maintaining meaningful relationships and may have a history of struggles with violence, theft, or substance use problems. 

Individuals with ASPD may show signs such as: 

• Manipulation
• Deception
• Reckless behavior
• Aggression
• Lack of remorse or concern for others
• Inability to control anger
• Abnormal social behavior

If you or a loved one has experienced these symptoms and is considering the presence of ASPD, it may be time to seek treatment. 

Diagnosing antisocial personality disorder can be a complex process due to the common presence of co-occurring conditions. The symptoms of different mental health disorders can overlap or mask each other and lead to the need for a dual diagnosis by a mental health professional. 

For example, someone with ASPD can display signs of impulsivity or aggression that may be attributed to the disorder alone but can actually be a result of underlying disorders such as depression, anxiety, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If you or someone you know might have an antisocial personality disorder, it may be helpful to seek a mental health practitioner who specializes in treating this disorder in order to find the right treatment plan. With proper treatment, individuals can learn skills to help manage their condition more effectively while improving their overall quality of life. 

Treating antisocial personality disorder

Treatment options for ASPD vary depending on the individual's needs. It is important to note that there is no one treatment strategy that is known to be effective for individuals with ASPD. The exact cause of ASPD is unknown, but it may result from various underlying factors unique to each individual. Understanding these factors can lead to more personally tailored treatment strategies. 

In some cases, medications may be prescribed to help manage symptoms and conditions that occur alongside ASPD. These symptoms can be similar to those experienced with conditions like anxiety or depression. In other cases, CBT or anger and violence management might be used to help individuals gain insight into their condition and learn strategies for managing it more effectively. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based therapy that focuses on changing unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors. CBT aims to help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings while also teaching them how to make consistent positive changes in their behavior. Through CBT, individuals with ASPD may become able to better control their impulses and learn new skills such as adaptability, problem-solving, and communication. 

Some research suggests that CBT may help individuals with ASPD experience less problematic alcohol use, more positive beliefs about others, and better social functioning. A common goal of CBT is to teach patients how to examine their thoughts and behaviors and replace negative beliefs about themselves with self-compassion. Additionally, CBT may be useful for helping people learn how to interact appropriately with others and understand the consequences of their actions. With proper guidance from a trained mental health professional, individuals living with ASPD may be able to make improvements in social settings or other areas of life.

Anger and violence management

Anger and violence management techniques are often recommended for individuals with antisocial personality disorder. This type of therapy is designed to help clients develop better ways to manage their emotions and aggressive behavior. During therapy sessions, individuals can learn how to recognize triggers of aggression and learn strategies to become more aware of the triggers of outbursts. They can also learn how to modify their beliefs to reduce anger, resentment, and mistrust while identifying the root causes of these belief patterns. 

Studies on anger management counseling for antisocial personality disorder found that a combined approach may be the most effective way to manage the negative aspects of anger arousal leading to aggression in individuals with ASPD. This combined approach includes “both the enhancement of social skills and the reduction of physiological arousal (relaxation therapies).”

Treatment for ASPD should always involve seeking professional help from a qualified mental health provider. It is important to note that managing antisocial personality disorder may require patience and dedication from both the individual receiving treatment and those supporting them. 

Help through online therapy

Online therapy may be able to provide individuals with ASPD with a safe and nurturing environment to seek help and explore their concerns without feeling judged or misunderstood. With online therapy, sessions can take place wherever you have internet—including the comfort of home—which may be helpful for those who are reluctant to seek help in person due to shame or fear about their disorder. 

Research has also demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy and of online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in particular, which may serve as an approach to treat ASPD. In one study, researchers reviewed the evidence for the effectiveness of internet-delivered CBT, including primarily randomized trials and meta-analyses of intervention studies. Based on their review, the researchers concluded that “strong evidence from randomized controlled trials indicates that Internet-delivered CBT can be used in clinical practice for many patients.” This illustrates that online CBT can be a useful, effective alternative to face-to-face therapy, which may be relevant for individuals with ASPD interested in this kind of treatment.