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Antisocial Personality Disorder

Current Drug Treatment Recommendations

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Abstract

Summary

The use of drug treatments in patients with personality disorders remains controversial. The target for treatment is symptoms that arise from underlying biological vulnerabilities rather than the personality disorder itself.

In antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). the trait symptoms that may respond to drugs are impulsive and violent behaviour. As there have been no specific placebo-controlled treatment studies of patients with ASPD, no specific drug treatment recommendations can be made. However. there is limited evidence based on trials of patients with antisocial behaviours that anti psychotics, mood stabilisers and antidepressants may sometimes be helpful in patients with ASPD. Well designed drug treatment studies are urgently needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Roger T. Mulder

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  1. Roger T. Mulder
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Mulder, R.T. Antisocial Personality Disorder. CNS Drugs 5, 257–263 (1996). https://doi.org/10.2165/00023210-199605040-00004

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