Personality Disorders and Drug Addiction Chapter 16 Section 5

Personality Disorders Lack of emotions and constraint. Ignore social rules. Don’t suffer from anxiety or behave in bizarre ways. Definition: Maladaptive, inflexible ways of dealing with others and the environment.

Personality Disorders: Antisocial Personality Were once called sociopaths and psychopaths. A basic lack of decency; total disregard for and violation of others’ rights. No guilt or anxiety. Can often be intelligent, entertaining, and fake emotions.

Antisocial Personality: Most common in white males. Warning signs in early life: Emotional detachment. Hurts or kills animals for pleasure. Manipulative Very little emotional expression. No guilt or remorse.

Antisocial Personality Serial Killers John Wayne Gacy Jeffrey Dahmer Ted Bundy

Antisocial Personality Killers Cho Seung Hui, Virginia Tech Killer. Christopher Lee McCuin: On January 5, 2008, he killed, cooked, and ate his girlfriend. He then called the police to tell them. He is also classified as a schizophrenic.

Drug Addiction Listed in the DSM-IV- it is a major psychological problem in the U.S. Vocabulary: Psychological dependence Physiological addiction Tolerance Withdrawal The law says it’s a crime, and doctors say it’s a disease!

Alcoholism The U.S.’ most serious addiction. Sometimes it is considered a stimulant, but it’s actually a depressant. Stages of alcoholism: 1. Alcohol as a way to socialize/relax. 2. Alcohol as a drug. Starts to sneak drinks; suffers “blackouts”. 3. Compulsive drinking, sometimes in the morning. Drinking binges may last weeks. Very unhealthy.

Alcoholism Treating alcoholism: 1. Treat withdrawal: the DELIRIUM TREMENS (“the DT’s”) Alcoholics Anonymous- most successful. Doctors can prescribe Antabuse- a pill that makes one violently ill if they take a sip of alcohol.