Glossary
Antisocial personality disorder.
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is the DSM-5-TR diagnosis defined by a pervasive, lifelong pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others. It overlaps with malignant narcissism at the extreme end of the narcissism spectrum and is sometimes used interchangeably with the older terms sociopathy and psychopathy, although none of those three terms means exactly the same thing.
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Definition
The DSM-5-TR criteria for ASPD require a pattern, present since age 15 and continuing in adulthood, of three or more of: failure to conform to social norms regarding lawful behavior; deceitfulness and repeated lying; impulsivity; irritability and aggressiveness; reckless disregard for the safety of self or others; consistent irresponsibility; and lack of remorse. The individual must be at least 18 years old and there must be evidence of conduct disorder before age 15.
That last clause is important. ASPD is, by definition, a disorder that begins in childhood and persists. Adults who develop similar patterns later in life from another cause — head injury, substance use, another personality disorder — may behave antisocially without meeting the criteria.
Relationship to malignant narcissism
Otto Kernberg's concept of malignant narcissism sits at the intersection of narcissistic personality disorder and ASPD. A malignant narcissist meets criteria for NPD and additionally shows antisocial features, paranoid traits, and ego-syntonic aggression. Whether they also meet full criteria for ASPD varies; some do, some don't. The clinical question for survivors isn't usually which exact diagnosis applies but whether the antisocial component is present, because that component is what makes the harm intentional rather than incidental.
Researcher Robert Hare's Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) is the standard instrument for the construct of psychopathy, which overlaps with ASPD but is narrower and emphasizes the affective deficit (callousness, lack of empathy, glibness) more than the behavioral criteria. Most psychopaths meet ASPD criteria; not all ASPD diagnoses are psychopathic in the PCL-R sense.
Where this appears on the site
Antisocial features are discussed in the context of the malignant end of the narcissism spectrum. For survivors of a partner or family member with ASPD or strong antisocial traits, the practical recovery material — no contact, complex PTSD — applies the same way it does for malignant covert narcissism.
