Bush is a classic sociopathic personality.
Central to understanding individuals diagnosed with antisocial personality
disorder is that they appear to experience a limited range of human
emotions. This can explain the lack of empathy for the suffering of others,
since they cannot experience emotion associated with either empathy or
suffering. Risk-seeking behavior and substance abuse may be attempts to
escape feeling empty or emotionally void. The rage exhibited by psychopaths
and the anxiety associated with certain types of antisocial personality
disorder may represent the limit of emotion experienced, or there may be
physiological responses without analogy to emotion experienced by others.
According to the older theory of Freudian psychoanalysis, a sociopath has a
strong id and ego that overpowers the superego. The theory proposes that
internalized morals of our unconscious mind are restricted from surfacing to
the ego and consciousness. However, this explanation provides no insight
into the cause or treatment of the problem.
Research has shown that individuals with antisocial personality disorder are
indifferent to the possibility of physical pain or many punishments, and
show no indications that they experience fear when so threatened. This may
explain their apparent disregard for the consequences of their actions, and
their lack of empathy with the suffering of others. Although it is agreed
upon by most psychiatrists that antisocial personality disorder is extremely
difficult to treat, there is some evidence that shows that they respond to
impersonalized loss. [citation needed]
Antisocial personality & antisocial behaviour
Criminal activity does not automatically warrant a diagnosis of antisocial
personality disorder, nor does a diagnosis of antisocial personality
disorder imply that a person is a criminal. It is hypothesized that many
high achievers exhibit antisocial personality disorder characteristics.
This, however, brings much criticism upon the diagnostic criteria specified
for those exhibiting antisocial personality disorder and the PCL-R. Both of
these tests depend upon the person in question being a criminal or having
participated in criminal activities.
Social theories
One approach to explaining antisocial personality disorder behaviors is put
forth by sociobiology, a science that attempts to understand and explain a
wide variety of human behavior based on evolutionary biology. One route to
doing so is by exploring evolutionarily stable strategies; that is,
strategies that being successful will tend to be passed on to the next
generation, thus becoming more common in the gene pool. For example, in one
well-known 1995 paper by Linda Mealey, chronic antisocial/criminal behavior
is explained as a combination of two such strategies.
Establishing the diagnosis
Antisocial personality disorder and the closely related construct of
psychopathy can be assessed and diagnosed through clinical interview,
self-rating personality surveys, and ratings from coworkers and family. For
diagnosing psychopathy in forensic male populations, the Psychopathy
Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) is considered definitive.
Diagnostic criteria (DSM-IV-TR)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a widely used
manual for diagnosing mental and behavioral disorders, defines antisocial
personality disorder as a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation
of the rights of others occurring since age 15, as indicated by three (or
more) of the following:
1.. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as
indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
2.. deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or
conning others for personal profit or pleasure
3.. impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
4.. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical
fights or assaults
5.. reckless disregard for safety of self or others
6.. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to
sustain steady work or honor financial obligations
7.. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing
having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another
The manual lists the following additional necessary criteria:
a.. The individual is at least age 18 years.
b.. There is evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15 years.
c.. The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the
course of Schizophrenia or a Manic Episode.
Mnemonic
A mnemonic that can be used to remember the criteria for antisocial
personality disorder is CORRUPT:
a.. C - cannot follow law
b.. O - obligations ignored
c.. R - remorselessness
d.. R - recklessness
e.. U - underhandedness
f.. P - planning deficit
g.. T - temper
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisocial_personality_disorder
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