Antisocial and Psychopathic Personality Disorders: Causes, Course, and Remission – a Review Article

The present article begins by reviewing the diagnostic criteria for antisocial & psychopathic personality disorders. This is followed by a discussion of the effects of comorbid disorders, such as substance abuse & schizophrenia, with respect to the course, prognosis, & outcome of antisocial & psychopathic disorders. A discussion of suicide as a possible result of comorbidity is included. Gender differences are also discussed, along with the rates & possible causes of spontaneous remission in these disorders. (150 refs)