Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

558 CHAPTER 13 Psychological DisordersAn Ordinary Family Man: The Dangers ofAntisocial Personality Disorder Presidentof his church council and a very activechurch member, Dennis Rader had been aScout leader and worked for the Wichita,Kansas, animal control department.Married for 34 years, Rader had been veryinvolved in the lives of his two children.But Rader was also the sadistic killer whocalled himself “BTK,” which stood for“Bind, torture, kill.” In court, Radershocked even seasoned police officers withhis matter-of-fact, emotionless recital ofthe details of his 10 murders. Like Rader,people with antisocial personality disorderwear a “mask of sanity” (Lynam & Gudonis,2005). Because they are socially skilled, theircrimes often escape detection. Because theylack empathy, they see other people only asobjects for their gratification.especially those most likely to harm others fortheir own benefit (De Brito & Hodgins, 2009).Approximately 1 to 4 percent of the generalpopulation displays the characteristics of antisocialpersonality disorder, with men far outnumberingwomen (Grant & others, 2004).Evidence of this maladaptive personality patternis often seen in childhood or early adolescence(Hiatt & Dishion, 2008; Lynam &Gudonis, 2005). In many cases, the child hasrepeated run-ins with the law or school authorities.Behaviors that draw the attention of authoritiescan include cruelty to animals, attackingor harming adults or other children, theft,setting fires, and destroying property. Duringchildhood and adolescence, this pattern of behavioris typically diagnosed as conduct disorder.The habitual failure to conform to social normsand rules often becomes the person’s predominant life theme, which continues intoadulthood (Patrick, 2007; Myers & others, 1998).Deceiving and manipulating others for their own personal gain is another hallmarkof individuals with antisocial personality disorder. With an uncanny abilityto look you directly in the eye and speak with complete confidence and sincerity,they will lie in order to gain money, sex, or whatever their goal may be. Whenconfronted with their actions, they respond with indifference or offer some superficialrationalization to justify their behavior. Often, they are contemptuousabout the feelings or rights of others, blaming the victim for his or her stupidity.This quality makes antisocial personality disorder especially difficult to treat becauseclients often manipulate and lie to their therapists, too (McMurran &Howard, 2009).Because they are consistently irresponsible, individuals with antisocial personalitydisorder often fail to hold a job or meet financial obligations. Losing or quitting onejob after another, defaulting on loans, and failing to make child support paymentsare common occurrences. Their past is often checkered with arrests and jail sentences.High rates of alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse are alsostrongly associated with antisocial personality disorder (Bahlmann & others, 2002;Ladd & Petry, 2003). However, by middle to late adulthood, the antisocial tendenciesof such individuals tend to diminish.borderline personality disorderA personality disorder characterized byinstability of interpersonal relationships,self-image, and emotions, and markedimpulsivity.Borderline Personality DisorderChaos and EmptinessBorderline individuals are the psychological equivalent of third-degree burn patients.They simply have no emotional skin. Even the slightest touch or movement can createimmense suffering.This is how Marsha Linehan (2009) describes the chaotic, unstable world of peoplewith borderline personality disorder. Borderline personality disorder is characterizedby impulsiveness and chronically unstable emotions, relationships, and self-image.Moods and emotions are intense, fluctuating, and extreme, often vastly out ofproportion to the triggering incident, and seemingly uncontrollable. The personwith borderline personality disorder unpredictably swings from one mood extremeto another. Inappropriate, intense, and often uncontrollable episodes of anger areanother hallmark of this disorder (Paris, 2008; Sherry & Whilde, 2008).Relationships with others are as chaotic and unstable as the person’s moods.The person with borderline personality disorder has a chronic, pervasive sense of