Alzheimer’s Delirium and Dementia Q 53
Which client outcome would best indicate successful treatment for a client with an antisocial personality disorder?
A. The client exhibits charming behavior when around authority figures.
B. The client has decreased episodes of impulsive behaviors.
C. The client makes statements of self-satisfaction.
D. The client’s statements indicate no remorse for behaviors.
Correct Answer: B. The client has decreased episodes of impulsive behaviors
A client with antisocial personality disorder typically has frequent episodes of acting impulsively with poor ability to delay self-gratification. Therefore, decreased frequency of impulsive behaviors would be evidence of improvement. Of those children with conduct disorder, 25% of girls and 40% of boys will meet the diagnostic criteria for antisocial personality disorder. Boys exhibit symptoms earlier than girls, who often only elicit these symptoms in puberty.
Option A: Disregard for and the violation of others’ rights are common manifestations of this personality disorder, which displays symptoms that include failure to conform to the law, inability to sustain consistent employment, deception, manipulation for personal gain, and incapacity to form stable relationships.
Option C: Self-satisfaction would be viewed as a positive change if the client expresses low self-esteem; however, this is not a characteristic of a client with antisocial personality disorder. Many individuals diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder remain a burden to their families, coworkers, and closely associated peers, such as neighbors, despite becoming less troublesome with age. Mental health comorbidities and associated addictive disorders, as well as higher mortality rates due to suicides and homicides, only add to this burden.
Option D: Charming behavior when around authority figures and statements indicating no remorse are examples of symptoms typical of someone with this disorder and would not indicate successful treatment. Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a deeply ingrained and rigid dysfunctional thought process that focuses on social irresponsibility with exploitive, delinquent, and criminal behavior with no remorse.