Antisocial Personality Disorder - Case Study Example

Antisocial Personality Disorder Dr. Gregory House was born on the 11th of June 1958 from a relationship between Blythe house, his mother, and an unknown male. His mother was a house-wife married to a marine pilot, John House, who was not present when House was conceived being on overseas active duty. His mother also had an affair with another man, Thomas Bell, who House mistook for his father because of the physical characteristics that they shared. House’s father was on active duty throughout most of his adolescence and childhood stages, and he, therefore, lived in various countries that his father was stationed including Egypt, Japan, the Philippines, and Japan. As a result, he became fluent in Chinese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, and Hindi with knowledge of a few others. He uses phrases in French occasionally, but his knowledge of French is unknown. He was an obvious bright child from his childhood, which acted as a blessing of mixed sorts with his demanding father and affectionate mother being optimistic for his future. During this period, he cultivated interests in Chemistry and playing the guitar and piano. However, his separation from his age mates and his unsatisfactory relationship with his father and even mother led House to be a loner. He often rebelled against the father leading to harsh punishments that resulted in emotional isolation and physical discomfort that was intense. When he was twelve, House used the knowledge that he had gathered about his father not having been at home when he was conceived, and reliance on characteristics based on genetics, which his father lacked to confront John. As a result, the two of them quit talking to each other and this went on for a whole summer, the two communicating by means of notes. Their relationship cooled off to what could pass as okay by the standards of what was obviously a repressed family. His father later mistreated him for his not being his biological son and was harsh on him. John was a controlling and cold person with almost non-existent understanding or affection for Greg House. In an episode where he treats a rape victim, he admits to cruelty from his father, which included abuse. House is visibly wounded by the lack of primary relationships; the dishonesty from his mother and hostility from his father. Dr. James Wilson acknowledges that this is the cause of the deep unhappiness that House feels, accompanied by his cynicism and fear of intimacy. House has a cruel, acerbic, and dry sense of humour. He conceals his personality with sarcasm, is narcissistic and most considers him a misanthrope. He is also an atheist and a nihilist, with a disdain for institutions in societies as religion and feminism. Dr. Wilson states in one of the programs that House might have Asperger’s syndrome. Dr. Wilson is also House’s greatest and maybe only friend, with the relationship become so co-dependent that Wilson acts as House’s enabler. He has also shown outward emotion for only one woman in Stacy Warner. Diagnosis for Dr. Gregory House: Antisocial Personality disorder (N.C & N.I, 2010) Problems associated with antisocial Personality disorder and justification for Dr. Gregory House’s disorder 1. Callous lack of concern for other people’s feelings a) Lack of concern for patients b) Lack of concern for other doctors when he needs his team to perform patient tests c) Lack of concern for Dr. Wilson’s marriage 2. Persistent and gross, irresponsible attitude and disregard for obligations, social rules and norms a) Performing unauthorized tests and treatments on patients b) Taking Vicodin in front of his employer, employees, and patients c) Frequenting prostitutes and strip clubs 3. Decreased tolerance to being frustrated a) Leaving his wife after she authorized the surgery on his leg while he was in a coma, which he did not want even though it saved his leg b) Insulting his team when they question his methods and delay diagnosis 4. An inability to feel guilty or profit from punishment a) Celebrating his successful coup against the hospital general manager even though he left with the $100 million he was granting the hospital b) Continued flouting of hospital rules and procedure even after being punished with extra clinic hours c) His obvious delight at Dr. Wilson’s failed relationships which he causes to break up 5. Offering rationalizations for behaviour that brings him into conflict with colleagues and society a) Blaming his drug habit on the need to manage pain 6. Not able to maintain long term relationships a) Breaking up with his wife b) He also has one true friend in Dr. Wilson 7. Persistent irritability a) Always snaps at patients when they question his methods. b) Often talks to his team with sarcasm when they question his methods and sometimes blocks them out all together. Strengths associated with Antisocial Personality Disorder (Rotgers & Maniacci, 2008) 1. Ability to focus on one project or case 2. Being able to see what most people consider hidden, for example, the way Dr. house is able to solve cases by revealing details that patients are trying to hide and which are essential for the diagnosis (Grande-Bretagne, 2010). Antisocial Personality disorder can be treated in various ways (Moran, 2009) 1. Getting House to socialize with more people and conversate with them a) Give Dr. House more clinic hours in order to make him meet more patients and connect with them. b) Make Dr. House attend all hospital staff meetings and parties, which he avoids. 2. Instil a sense of action and consequence for Dr. House’s activities a) Allow Dr. House to go to prison at least once, so he can learn that actions have consequences. His boss has lied in court to get him off. b) Start proceedings against Dr. House for misconduct in the treatment of patients. 3. Stop enabling Dr. House a) Dr. Wilson is to stop giving Dr. House prescriptions for Vicodin, which he cannot get from anyone else. b) His team should also stop performing unnecessary tests and experiments just to placate him (Grande-Bretagne, 2010). References Grande-Bretagne N. C. (2010). Antisocial personality disorder: treatment, management and prevention. Leicester: British Psychological Society. Moran P. (2009). Antisocial personality disorder : an epidemiological perspective. London: Gaskell. Rotgers F, Maniacci, M. (2008). Comparative treatment of antisocial personality disorder. New York: Springer Pub. Read More