6 CASES OF PATIENTS WITH MENTAL-RETARDATION WHO HAVE ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY-DISORDER

Evidence that antisocial personality disorder occurs in association wi th mental retardation is presented through case reports of six mildly to moderately retarded men who received a diagnosis of antisocial pers onality disorder. The men were identified when referred by care provid ers for more thorough psychological and psychiatric assessments. Their histories were marked by thefts, rapes, multiple assaults, arson, and other predatory acts; a lack of remorse for such actions; criminal ch arges; and predisposing factors such as an impoverished family. Only o ne man had received the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder b efore the assessments, suggesting that clinicians are reluctant to fin d sociopathic behavior clinically significant in the presence of menta l retardation.