Overview Antisocial personality disorder, sometimes called sociopathy, is a mental condition in which a person consistently shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others. People with antisocial personality disorder tend to antagonize, manipulate or treat others harshly or with callous indifference. They show no guilt or remorse for their behavior. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder often violate the law, becoming criminals. They may lie, behave violently or impulsively, and have problems with drug and alcohol use. Because of these characteristics, people with this disorder typically can't fulfill responsibilities related to family, work or school. But it's not clear whether this decrease is a result of aging or an increased awareness of the consequences of antisocial behavior. When to see a doctor People with antisocial personality disorder are likely to seek help only at the urging of loved ones. If you suspect a friend or family member may have the disorder, you might gently suggest that the person seek medical attention, starting with a primary care physician or mental health professional. Causes Personality is the combination of thoughts, emotions and behaviors that makes everyone unique. It's the way people view, understand and relate to the outside world, as well as how they see themselves. Personality forms during childhood, shaped through an interaction of inherited tendencies and environmental factors. Because antisocial behavior is thought to have its roots in childhood, parents, teachers and pediatricians may be able to spot early warning signs. It may help to try to identify those most at risk, such as children who show signs of conduct disorder, and then offer early intervention. Early, effective and appropriate discipline, lessons in behavior modification, social and problem-solving skills, parent training, family therapy, and psychotherapy may help reduce the chance that at-risk children go on to become adults with antisocial personality disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. Accessed March 21, 2016. In: Gabbard's Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders. Accessed March 21, 2016. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Accessed March 21, 2016. The natural history of antisocial personality disorder. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Antisocial personality disorder: Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, course and diagnosis. Accessed March 21, 2016. Treatment of antisocial personality disorder. Accessed March 21, 2016. Epidemiology, comorbidity, and behavioral genetics of antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy. Mindfulness moderates the relationship between aggression and antisocial personality disorder traits: Preliminary investigation with an offender sample. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.