The antisocial personality: a review.

Definition, understanding, and treatment of antisocial personality disorder continue to present difficulties, but there have been several encouraging developments. Recently published data on antisocial syndromes from several different disciplines have been strikingly consistent and have raised hopes for an integrated understanding of the disorder. In addition, many of the sources of antisocial symptoms have been identified, and certain highly structured therapeutic programs have been effective in modifying antisocial behavior. The paper reviews the latest issues related to diagnosis, symptom presentation, and treatment, as well as pathologic, sociologic, and epidemiologic aspects of the disorder.