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Antisocial Personality Disorder Case Study

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Treatment recommendations for antisocial personality disorder, based on the patient’s case, is a medication such as lithium carbonate, which has been found to reduce anger, threatening behavior and combativeness among prisoners (Black, 2013). Psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are other options for treatment, but I would not recommend these for Gemma because of her background, environment, and stubborn personality. Prognosis is not very good because of two contributing factors. First, because the disorder is characterized by a failure to conform to society's norms, people with this disorder are often incarcerated because of criminal behavior. Secondly, a lack of insight into the disorder is very common. People with antisocial personality disorder typically see the world as having the problems, not him or herself, and therefore rarely seek treatment. If progress is made, it is typically over an extended period of time (Antisocial Personality Disorder, 2011). The research ethics committee identified several ethical concerns with the study of APD, including fair participant selection, confidentiality, …show more content…

Since Gemma cares so deeply about her family, she might benefit from hearing their opinions and concern for her. Also, the external structuring group therapy provides can control destructive behavior in spite of ego weakness. In groups, the therapist is less authoritative (and less threatening to the patient’s grandiosity); intensity of emotional experience is lessened; and regression is more controlled, creating a better setting for confrontation and clarification (Grohol, 2013, p. 1). A con of group therapy is the possibility of not having enough time to talk and let your feelings known. Also, personality clashes are very likely to happen; a very aggressive member will not benefit a fragile member’s

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