Antisocial Personality Disorder Screener
Antisocial personality disorder (APSD) is a diagnosis that reflects severe, persistent antisocial behaviors that violate laws, rules, or others’ rights. This diagnosis is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) that psychologists and psychiatrists use. No standardized screening test for antisocial personality disorder is publicly available. However, this screening tool inquires about known symptoms of antisocial personality disorder. The resulting score can be used to estimate whether an adult is at risk for antisocial personality disorder.
This information should not be used to diagnose or treat. It is not meant to take the place of consultation with a healthcare professional. If you have concerns, you should contact your healthcare provider for a screening.
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LOW
The percentile score above suggests the person is unlikely to have Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). A person with this score does not show elevated levels of antisocial traits or behaviors compared to other adults.
People with low scores on this screening test show typical levels of empathy and honesty and are not at high risk for engaging in behaviors like manipulating, exploiting, or harming others.
Any increases in these traits or behaviors may require that this person be re-evaluated.
Or, if this person is engaging in frequent behaviors that are causing trouble for themselves and/or other people, they may need to be evaluated for a related disorder, such as Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder.
You can ask your doctor or a social worker for a referral. You can also review our provider list for clinicians who specialize in treating people with personality disorders in your area. You can also call the SAMHSA hotline at 800-662-HELP (4357).
We’re constantly working to improve our site and make tools like this test available. Please consider donating to our organization to help us with our mission.
Please consider subscribing to our mailing list and following us on X (Twitter) to receive occasional updates about new research findings and other important information.
AT RISK
The percentile score above suggests higher-than-average levels of antisocial traits and behaviors compared to other adults. The person being evaluated may be at risk for Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).
Antisocial Personality Disorder is a psychological disorder. A personality disorder is a mental health condition that is associated with seeing one’s self and reacting to other people in ways that cause frequent problems. People with personality disorders often have a hard time understanding emotions and controlling their impulses.
People with Antisocial Personality Disorder also show repeated, persistent behaviors that cause others harm, violate others’ rights, or break laws or rules. For example, they may act in ways that are callous, antisocial, or deceitful. They are also at risk for engaging in behaviors like manipulating, exploiting, or harming others.
Antisocial Personality Disorder affects up to 1 in 30 adults, and is a risk factor for ongoing serious legal problems as well as problems with mental health, success at work, and social relationships.
Your next steps
A person with Antisocial Personality Disorder screening scores in this range should be evaluated by a mental health professional. Many people at risk for Antisocial Personality Disorder struggle to get the resources, support, and information they need. If you have, or are close to someone with, symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder, please know you are not alone. Our organization is dedicated to helping people like you. We suggest that you take the following steps to help yourself and those close to you.
You can ask your doctor or a social worker for a referral. You can also review our provider list for clinicians who specialize in treating people with personality disorders in your area. You can also call the SAMHSA hotline at 800-662-HELP (4357).
You can also visit our FAQ page. This overview provides answers to questions people who have disorders of aggression, such as Antisocial Personality Disorder, or who are close to someone with this disorder, often have.
You may wish to also complete a screening for psychopathy. Psychopathic traits include low empathy; low remorse; and a relatively fearless, dominant personality, which increase a person’s risk of developing serious and ongoing antisocial behaviors. Many people with Antisocial Personality Disorder also have psychopathy. This information can be helpful in deciding on a treatment plan.
You may also wish to complete a screening test for a reading disorder or low reading skills. Poor reading skills are a risk factor for antisocial behavior across the lifespan. If you are currently in school, you can ask the school to conduct a formal reading assessment. You can also use this free online reading screener.
Planning an appointment with a clinician
Please know that many physicians and psychologists do not have training in assessing or treating people with Antisocial Personality Disorder. You should plan to provide them with information to help them make an assessment and choose a treatment plan.
When you visit your mental health professional , please specifically ask to be evaluated for Antisocial Personality Disorder.
You should also review the information we provide about effective treatments for people with disorders of aggression such as Antisocial Personality Disorder. Do not assume your clinician will be familiar with evidence-based treatments.
You may need to specifically request that your clinician refer you to a therapist who can provide you with one of the forms of psychotherapy (or talk therapy) that have been shown to reduce symptoms and improve outcomes and well-being in people with Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Although this disorder can be difficult to treat, it is not untreatable. People can and do improve when they receive appropriate, evidence-based treatment.
Other steps
Many people with Antisocial Personality Disorder victimize members of their household. If you are concerned about the behavior of the person being evaluated in this regard, you can contact a domestic abuse hotline for help.
Please consider joining our mailing list and following us on Twitter to receive occasional updates about new research findings and other important information.
Finally, please consider donating to our organization to help us continue helping families and individuals affected by disorders of aggression such as Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Research opportunities
Based on the score above, the person being evaluated may be eligible to take part in research aimed at learning more about Disorders of Aggression like Antisocial Personality Disorder. If you would like to learn more about research you may be eligible to take part in (including online surveys, behavioral studies, or brain imaging research) please click here.
We’re constantly working to improve our site and make tools like this test available. Please consider donating to our organization to help us with our mission.
Please consider subscribing to our mailing list and following us on X (Twitter) to receive occasional updates about new research findings and other important information.
HIGH RISK
The percentile score above suggests high levels of antisocial traits and behavior compared to other adults. This person is at high risk for Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).
Antisocial Personality Disorder is a psychological disorder. A personality disorder is a mental health condition that is associated with seeing one’s self and reacting to other people in ways that cause frequent problems. People with personality disorders often have a hard time understanding emotions and controlling their impulses.
People with Antisocial Personality Disorder also show repeated, persistent behaviors that cause others harm, violate others’ rights, or break laws or rules. For example, they may act in ways that are callous, antisocial, or deceitful. They are also at risk for engaging in behaviors like manipulating, exploiting, or harming others.
Antisocial Personality Disorder affects up to 1 in 30 adults, and is a risk factor for ongoing serious legal problems as well as problems with mental health, success at work, and social relationships.
Your next steps
A person with Antisocial Personality Disorder screening scores in this range should be evaluated by a mental health professional. Many people at risk for Antisocial Personality Disorder struggle to get the resources, support, and information they need. If you have or are close to someone with symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder, please know you are not alone. Our organization is dedicated to helping people like you. We suggest that you take the following steps to help yourself and those close to you.
You can ask your doctor or a social worker for a referral. You can also review our provider list for clinicians who specialize in treating people with personality disorders in your area. You can also call the SAMHSA hotline at 800-662-HELP (4357).
You can also visit our FAQ page. This overview provides answers to questions people who have disorders of aggression, such as Antisocial Personality Disorder, or who are close to someone with this disorder, often have.
You may wish to also complete a screening for psychopathy. Psychopathic traits include low empathy; low remorse; and a relatively fearless, dominant personality, which increase a person’s risk of developing serious and ongoing antisocial behavior. Many people with Antisocial Personality Disorder also have psychopathy. This information can be helpful in deciding on a treatment plan.
You may also wish to complete a screening test for a reading disorder or low reading skills. Poor reading skills are a risk factor for antisocial behavior across the lifespan. If you are currently in school, you can ask the school to conduct a formal reading assessment. You can also use this free online reading screener.
Planning an appointment with a clinician
Please know that many physicians and psychologists do not have training in assessing or treating people with Antisocial Personality Disorder. You should plan to provide them with information to help them make an assessment and choose a treatment plan.
When you visit your mental health professional, please specifically ask to be evaluated for Antisocial Personality Disorder.
You should also review the information we provide about effective treatments for people with disorders of aggression such as Antisocial Personality Disorder. Do not assume your clinician will be familiar with evidence-based treatments.
You may need to specifically request that your clinician refer you to a therapist who can provide you with one of the forms of psychotherapy (or talk therapy) that have been shown to reduce symptoms and improve outcomes and well-being in people with Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Although this disorder can be difficult to treat, it is not untreatable. People can and do improve when they receive appropriate, evidence-based treatment.
Other steps
Many people with Antisocial Personality Disorder victimize members of their household. If you are concerned about the behavior of the person being evaluated in this regard, you can contact a domestic abuse hotline for help.
Please consider joining our mailing list and following us on Twitter to receive occasional updates about new research findings and other important information.
Finally, please consider donating to our organization to help us continue helping families and individuals affected by disorders of aggression such as Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Research opportunities
Based on the score above, the person being evaluated may be eligible to take part in research aimed at learning more about Disorders of Aggression like Antisocial Personality Disorder. If you would like to learn more about research you may be eligible to take part in (including online surveys, behavioral studies, or brain imaging research) please click here.
Please consider subscribing to our mailing list and following us on X (Twitter) to receive occasional updates about new research findings and other important information.
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