Evidence that antisocial personality disorder occurs in association with
mental retardation is presented through case reports of six mildly to
moderately retarded men who received a diagnosis of antisocial personality
disorder. The men were identified when referred by care providers 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 charges; and
predisposing factors such as an impoverished family. Only one man had
received the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder before the
assessments, suggesting that clinicians are reluctant to find sociopathic
behavior clinically significant in the presence of mental retardation.
Abstract Teaser