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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffCoping with antisocial personality disorder can be challenging. Having antisocial personality disorder makes it hard to engage in the behavior and activities that may help you feel better. Talk to your doctor or therapist about improving your coping skills, and consider these tips:
- Simplify your life. Cut back on obligations when possible, and set reasonable schedules for goals.
- Write in a journal to express pain, anger, fear or other emotions.
- Read reputable self-help books and consider talking about them to your doctor or therapist.
- Don't become isolated. Try to participate in routine activities and get together with family or friends regularly.
- Take care of yourself by eating a healthy diet and getting sufficient sleep.
- Join a support group for people with antisocial personality disorder so that you can connect to others facing similar challenges.
- Stay focused on your goals. Recovery from antisocial personality disorder is an ongoing process. Stay motivated by keeping your recovery goals in mind. Remind yourself that you're responsible for managing your illness and working toward your goals.
- Learn relaxation and stress management. Try such stress-reduction techniques as meditation, yoga or tai chi.
- Structure your time. Plan your day and activities. Try to stay organized. You may find it helpful to make a list of daily tasks.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.
- MacManus D, et al. Personality disorders. Medicine. 2008;36(8):436-441.
- Pfohl B. Personality disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 9, 2008.
- Kiraly B. Patient information handout. Mental illness: Taking care of yourself. American Academy of Family Physicians. 2008;78(3). https://secure.aafp.org/login. Accessed Aug. 1, 2008.
- Staying well when you have a mental illness. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org. Accessed July 2008.
- Goldstein RB, et al. Lack of remorse in antisocial personality disorder: Sociodemographic correlates, symptomatic presentation, and comorbidity with Axis I and Axis II disorders in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2006;47(4):289-297.
- Devens M. Personality disorders. Primary Care. 2007;34(3):623-640.
- Ward R. Assessment and management of personality disorders. American Family Physician. 2004;70(8):1505-1512.
- Andrade JT. The inclusion of antisocial behavior in the construct of psychopathy: A review of the research. Aggression and Violent Behavior. 2008;13:328-335.
- De Clercq B, et al. Childhood antecedents of personality disorder. Current Opinion Psychiatry 2007;20(1):57-61.
- Paris J. Clinical trials of treatment for personality disorders. The Psychiatry Clinics of North America. 2008;31(3):517-526.
- Davidson KM, et al. Cognitive behaviour therapy for violent men with antisocial personality disorder in the community: An exploratory randomized controlled trial. Psychological Medicine. In press. 2008.
- Gelhorn HL, et al. DSM-IV conduct disorder criteria as predictors of antisocial personality disorder. Comprehensive Psychiatry. 2007;48(6):529-538.
- Skodol AE., et al. Personality disorders. In: Hales RE. et al. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing Inc. 2008.
