Download 00 Is Your Child or Teenager Antisocial?

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Health & Medicine
Is Your Child or Teenager Antisocial?
ntisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is an adult diagnosis widespread
among our prison population. Youth with severe behavioral problems are diagnosed
with one of the ascending precursors: Disruptive Behavior Disorder, Oppositional
Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder. In addition to defiance, conduct disorder
includes: aggression towards people or animals, burglary, using guns, vandalism, fire
starting, theft, truancy, staying out late at night or running away. These disorders
are frequently accompanied with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
and substance abuse.
Most teenagers can be defiant and rebellious and the majority having school
or legal problems are not clinically antisocial. Nationally renowned, clinical
psychologist, Dr. Stanton Samenow, in his book Before It’s Too Late, reminds us that
many problematic teenagers have a sense of fairness, are concerned with the affairs of
the world and their generation, and enhance self-esteem through accomplishments
in and out of school. Dr. Samenow’s research does not support the popular view
that antisocial children are the result of bad genes or parenting, reminding us that
children know the rules of social order by ages 9-12 and make their own choices as
active social agents.
The criteria for diagnosing antisocial behavior in youth is fairly clear but open
to interpretation and ongoing debate, even among psychology professionals. Dr.
Samenow, shares these additional insights from his clinical work:
THE ANTISOCIAL YOUTH:
• Has a conscience and knows right from wrong, but flips off the
fear switch of being caught, as the rules of school and home
simply do not apply to him and he will not get caught.
• Has empathy and can be socially clever, but deep down is a
loner, continually assessing weakness in others followed by
minimizing the impact of his actions upon them.
• Lies not out of convenience or laziness (white lies), but for a
sense of power, ownership and control over others, keeping his
activities in the dark.
• Rationalizes away any personal accountability due to his firm belief
that he is a good person, and tries to convince others (counselors
especially) that he is the victim.
• Loves out of sentiment rather than substance, the people who
care about him become his victims. Is less physically dependent
upon parents and rejects help from all directions.
• Has little ability to learn from the past or capacity to think
long-term. Plots and connives, but rarely plans as has no
perseverance to earn things, despite ability to do so.
• Continually craves high voltage excitement in his desire to be
unique and apart from the rules of society which he loathes. The
world revolves only around him.
April/May 2011
John R. Jones, Jr,
Managing Partner, MBA, MA, LMHC
“Kate” has a Masters Degree in Clinical
Social Work from Florida State University
and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She has over 25 years of experience as a
therapist and as a business leader. She coaches
managers on best practices, is a regular speaker
on creative and practical life strategies and believes “transformation begins with a renewing of the mind.” Her clinical expertise is broad
with specialties in eating disorders, PTSD,
women, couples, teens and faith-based counseling. She is also highly experienced in providing counseling and crisis intervention training
to various organizations in our community. A
former licensed foster care parent and
mother of two daughters, she is able to
equip others in managing life’s many changes
and challenges.
“Jack” has an MBA from Columbia
University, a Masters Degree in Counseling
Psychology from the University of North Florida,
is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Clinical
Hypnotherapist and a Certified Family Law
Mediator. A former CPA with over 20 years
of international business experience, he now
specializes in working with teenage and adult
substance abuse, family and couple discord,
parental alienation syndrome, trauma, anxiety,
depression, and schizophrenia.
Practicing
what he calls Cognitive Soul Therapy,
dramatic results are sought using both science
and spirituality. He is also familiar with
the courtroom through his experiences as a
Family Law Mediator, Guardian Ad Litem
volunteer, licensed foster care parent, and
adoptive father.
“LASTING RESULTS Through SCIENCE & SPIRITUALITY”
Counseling Solutions for Any Age and All Concerns
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To The LifeSource Building - Southpark Medical Complex
Dr. Samenow urges immediate cognitive therapy to correct thinking errors. The
Harvard Mental Health Letter, March 2011, notes: family therapy is most effective,
boot camps are less effective, and medications should be used only with concurrent
disorders such as ADHD or depression/anger. Youth with symptoms before age 10
are the ones most likely to convert to ASPD in adulthood. Dr. Samenow concurs,
noting aggression at age 8 is the best predictor of aggression at age 19. In any event,
we recommend immediate family therapy before it’s too late.
VOTED ST. AUGUSTINE’S BEST COUNSELORS
Kathleen Abbott,
Managing Partner, MSW, LMHC
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