Antisocial Personality Disorder Case Study

You have been asked to assist with a research study of offenders with Antisocial Personality Disorder. You examine the case file for Daniel S., a 31-year-old man who is in prison for embezzlement and fraud charges. Daniel grew up in a middle-class family, in which his mother was described as distant and inattentive and his father, a salesman, was rarely at home. He has an older brother, whom he rarely sees. Before Daniel reached the age of 18, he had several run-ins with the law for joyriding, burglary, and theft. He became sexually active at 14 years of age, and while he has had many sexual encounters, he has not had a relationship that lasts more than a month.

Daniel became a financial advisor and used the position to gain the confidence of elderly investors, whose money he then took. Daniel shows no remorse for these crimes and even seems to find the crimes amusing. You know that there is debate regarding the way in which the diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder relates to the label of psychopath. You think that Daniel's case brings up interesting issues that you would like to report to your mental illness and criminal justice discussion group. You write a short paper, including the following issues:

- What is a personality disorder and how is it different than an Axis I disorder?

- Discuss the criteria for a DSM-IV diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).

- What is the difference, if any, between ASPD and psychopath? (Be sure to reference methods/checklists for determining whether a person is a psychopath)

- What is the relation, if any, between ASPD and criminal behavior? Use research to support your statements.

- Does Daniel meet the criteria for having ASPD, psychopath, or both?

- Are there treatment recommendations that could be made for Daniel?

OBJECTIVE:
---Identify and describe mental disorders using the system for classification and diagnosis found in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
---Discuss current psychological research and the methods psychologists use to conduct research on issues concerning mental illness
---Describe psychological, biological, social and environmental factors that influence the etiology and progression of mental disorders
---Describe psychological, biological, social and environmental factors that influence the etiology and progression of mental disorders
---Apply the principles of abnormal psychology to a forensic setting

Thanks for your help!