Antisocial Personality Disorder

At first glance, Antisocial Personality Disorder appears very similar to Narcissistic Personality Disorder. The person with Antisocial Personality Disorder is also highly egocentric with a hugely-inflated sense of self, and no ability to empathize.

As with the Narcissist, the person with Antisocial Personality Disorder will use other people to get what they want, and will feel no remorse about taking advantage of people and subsequently abandoning them. They feel that everybody is out to dupe other people and that, if anyone is taken advantage of, it's their own fault.

The Antisocial personality can be charming and manipulative if trying to impress someone. The Antisocial person is a credible liar, but is frequently "caught out" when their lies become confused; the Antisocial personality is impulsive and never thinks ahead enough to plan their lies clearly. Unlike the Narcissist, who can become truly depressed when their plans go awry, the Antisocial person is incapable of such depths of emotion, and only displays apparent emotional-weakness to draw their unsuspecting prey into their trap.

Like the Narcissistic personality, the Antisocial person is frequently abusive, and may use bursts of physical and verbal aggression, interspaced with periods of conniving charm, to terrify their chosen victim. Unlike the Narcissist, who abuses because they feel they are superior, the Antisocial personality frequently abuses their partner for amusement, discarding them when the Antisocial person becomes bored.

Telling The Difference Between NPD And Anti-Social Personality Disorder

On the surface, these conditions appear identical. But there are several distinct differences that will help you tell one disorder from the other.

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Narcissistic personalities lack the aggression of Antisocial personalities. Antisocial people are sensation-seekers; they desire a thrill, a challenge; this leads them to commit illegal acts without a thought of being caught or punished. They lack remorse for harm they have committed, because they don't consider the harm they have committed. The Narcissist will rarely be arrested for a violent act.

Antisocial personalities are more generally physically abusive, while Narcissists are more generally verbally abusive. The Narcissist enjoys belittling and challenging people they consider to be beneath them (which is most of the human race); however they are also dogged by feelings of low-worth and inadequacy. The Narcissist is a very lonely person. The Antisocial personality needs no-one.

The Narcissist needs people to believe they are exceptional people, and are more likely to exaggerate their talents and experiences to ensure that happens. They want to be loved, or at least respected. Criticism cuts them very deeply. The Antisocial personality is completely invulnerable to criticism. The Antisocial person doesn't care what people think of them; all people are nothing more than toys to them, to be exploited and cast aside.

Think You're With A Narcissist Or Antisocial Personality?

If this article seems very familiar, you may wonder what to do to get help. Both these conditions can be treated with a mixture of therapy and medication. Sadly, both these conditions are notoriously difficult to treat, as both require the person with the Personality Disorder to recognize they need help and to seek it (which many Narcissists or Antisocial personalities may not realize and may refuse to do; there's a saying that if a person has ever considered that they may be a Narcissist or a psychopath, they're not). 

Remember: there are various levels of these personality disorders (from mild to severe) but you must always consider your own safety before staying in any relationship. Never put yourself at risk.