Antisocial Personality

This is a verbatim quote from DSM IV, where in italics, my comments are in parenthesis.

... there is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15 years as indicated by three (or more) of the following: (There are a few other diagnostic criteria, but we're not trying to diagnose, just be forewarned by the following traits.)

1. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest (Prisons are full of these people - will they survive after the pole shift? Are prisons near you in your state? Be on the lookout!)
2. deceitfulness, is indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure (They will tell you what you want to hear and are good at presenting themselves as solid and reliable, until you dig further, very slick, professional manipulators towards their own ends - not a team player! If you saw the movie Primal Fear, that was a good depiction of an antisocial personality.)
3. impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
4. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults (Poor impulse control and aggressiveness is not something you need in a struggling community.)
5. reckless disregard for safety of self or others
6. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations
7. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another

Learning to recognize these traits involves common-sense and hearing any one of them might tip you off. The more of these traits you see, the more you worry. If anyone thinks this is a rare personality disorder, just look around society. It is very common, sadly. Prisons are chock full of this group. How does this happen? Doesn't really matter. Until we're spiritually more evolved, I guess it's here to stay. The point is, these traits can be a tip-off to antisocial behavior, which seems a lot like Service-to-Self. The more we know what to look for, the more we can protect ourselves. Anything less than that is naive.

Offered by Craig.

The Antisocial Personality traits are mostly very easy to spot. A large percentage of the chronically homeless today, with whom I've many times come in contact while working with the Red Cross in shelters set up during disasters, also exhibit many of these traits. While there is certainly a high number of homeless who are good people upon whom extremely hard times have fallen, the chronically homeless also fall into two additional large categories: alcohol and drug abuser, and the mentally ill. Difficult decisions will eventually have to be faced in this regard.

Offered by Ron.