ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY-DISORDER - CURRENT DRUG-TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

The use of drug treatments in patients with personality disorders rema ins controversial. The target for treatment is symptoms that arise fro m underlying biological vulnerabilities rather than the personality di sorder itself. In antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), the trait sy mptoms 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 antipsychotics, mood stabilisers and a ntidepressants may sometimes be helpful in patients with ASPD. Well de signed drug treatment studies are urgently needed.