A lesser-known or lesser-discussed diagnoses is Aggressive-Sadistic Personality Disorder. The diagnosis helps conceptualize certain personalities that have distinct features and don't quite fit into other descriptions very neatly. Most often, they are mistaken for narcissistic or antisocial personalities. The Aggressive Sadistic Personality conceptualization, that of Theodore Millon, is derived from older ideas of sadism and masochism. The features of this personality are recognized by people once explained, particularly to those who have had to live with one, for they are toxic in the short run, and particularly over time. 

The diagnosis of an Aggressive Sadistic personality is not currently in the DSM psychiatric nomenclature. It was, for a time, then removed, to the dismay of prominent psychologists. A reason that it was removed was to avoid it being used to justify for bad behavior.  It would fall under the category of "personality disorders."  It is an extremely useful conceptualization that explains many day-to-day and clinical situations.

Aggressive Sadistic individuals are caustic, prone to put others down, abusive in their personal relationships, whether obviously so or more subtly, and gravitate to positions where they can oppress others. Toxic and domineering, they may seem stubborn and intransigent, prone to dominate others, but more prone simply to want to dominate others.. Other features of this personality style are , dogmatic views, lack of empathy, and sensitivity to interpersonal slight. Some are perpetual put-down artists but do so in a covert way..  The may erupt explosively, or their controlling natures may exist over the long run in the conveyance of an oppressive, domineering manenr. Sometimes they seem like a "shepherd dog" --they always seem to be pushing others in some nearly indiscernible way, in the way that a dog presses against a leg while you are walking. Various books by Theodore Millon describe the style, although the term aggressive sadistic personality has penetrated internet at this point, with many mostly accurate descriptions. The origins of the conceptualization are the ideas of sadism, which has existed as a psychological concept for many years.

Though not now in the nomenclature, the Aggressive Sadistic Personality is genuine and identifiable. It is useful to know this type if you deal with people with PTSD, because oftentimes, their problems stem from being around an abusive person. Upon examination of histories of people who have been traumatized lurks an aggressive sadistic person.  Emotional and physical abuse are their most likely forms of abuse and when they engage in sexual abuse, it is more often of a power-based, domineering type of abuse.  We recall the activities of a well-known football coach who went to prison for years of abuse of football players, and the domination orientation of this person will yield a variety of suppressive activities over many areas. You will find these types in every walk of life, and they can be quite successful because of their forceful and impertable nature.

Many talk on social media about "narcissists." "Narcissism "has become an explanatory principle and often really not accurately definite, though a good general shorthand for describing some personality traits. But aggressive-sadistic personalities are as toxic, perhaps more so.  Indeed, amongst their abusive traits, they are likely to be narcissistic as well, and moreover, create a positive impression in the outside world, even while being abusive at home. As noxious as these people are, they do deserve some pity because they are trapped in so ignoble a personality. No one wants to be the proverbial scorpion in the Aesop's fable. Tthere is a press to hurt others in some way, gratuitously. Sometimes the abuse can be all at once, sometimes over the years, by constantly creating difficult or impossible situations for those under their control. There will certainly be pain and damage if you have one in an authority position. People generally are unaware of this type at all. This type can present as an antisocial personality, the so-called sociopath, but they are different.. Great witch-hunters of the past probably have aggressive-sadistic features--a love of righteously persecuting others.

The sadism can occurs at an everyday level--a teacher who argues that punishment is good for children, the father who is harsh or toxic or finds a way to diminish a child constantly even while praising his friends, the boss who demeans workers in front of others,.  These have strong affiliations with images of power--guns,  and enjoyment of war or crime movies that normalize recreational violence. Informally, I think of them as "punishment junkies," They may wear clothing or trappings with an aggressive toning. They may own more aggressive animals or weaponry and find the misfortune of others amusing, taking a righteous glee in those who have not succeeded so well at life.  Some have suggested a particular mesomorphic physical type may be more likely--the Edwin G. Robinson or Danny Devito style of build, or recall the drill Sergeant in Gomer Pyle or prison guard in Shawshank Redemption. With an aggressive sadistic father, the individual who gets the brunt is the most spirited child, the child who may give lip to the father. Hence, the correlation between ADHD and PTSD. There is quick alertness to that rebellious or spirited child, with much justification for over-punishing. Aggressive Sadistic Personalities have many ways to justify their behaviors. They will blame the victim, and their victim's pain may incite even more aggression. Always intimidating, they may show identification with aggressive imagery or dominant posturing. 

As I said, "punishment junkies" seems to fit them. If this type gets in a position of power inadvertently, watch out. I used to note, when dealing with an adolescent unit, that when an adolescent with these features are promoted, they will bully or lord over other with other newfound positions. They may find an ally in a less aggressive peer who  enjoys the proximity of power and is protected.  The aggressive sadistic cop may be the origin of the term good cop/bad cop--pairing the aggressive sadistic individual with a more compliant and socially accepted individual who nonetheless basks under the aggressive sadistics personality. 

Both mothers and father can be aggressive sadistic personalities. Etiologicallally, where do the aggressive sadistic features come from? Probably a combination of experience and genetics and nervous system characteristics.  Some ASPs seem to have features of bipolar disorder, with an explosive quality. Children who tip toe around the house for years for fear of an explosive outburst are likely to develop symptoms and an enlarged amygdala. 

Being a born bully does not likely lead to much sense of satisfaction in older age and despaire is likely, particularly given the inability to create new friendships. Diagnostically, this personality disorder overlaps with others.  Likely there are similarities between the rigidity and control of obsessive-compulsive personality with careful scrutiny for threats, and the paranoid tendency to keep a grudge or have it resurfaced over and over. So the type has features of bullying, narcissism, sadism, volatility and paranoia.

One subtype of sadistic personality is the enforcing sadist who gravitate towards positions where they can control and enforce. The hanging judge, the teacher who enjoys punishing students, the boss who enjoys punishing employees for infractions, the cross-examining attorney who wilts the witness with a withering stare.   They tend to work within the realm of plausible deniability, declaring--"I am treating you like this because you deserve it." Children who try to reconcile with such an aggressive sadistic parent in later years often are conflicted. Oftentimes the parent has not changed. Also a problem is when y necessity has made a requirement of interacting with the parent in a caretaking role, or because of financial duress, and a state of ongoing strain and mixed toxic emotions occur.

Enforcing sadist

This category of sadist can sometimes be found amongst military sergeants, deans of universities, prison overseers, police officers or other authoritative functions, because they are in a position where they feel they should be the ones controlling and punishing people who have broken rules, regulations or laws. Though they believe they are acting for the common interest, there are deeper motives than just that. These sadists generally seek out the rule-breakers in their domain of authority, or in society in general, and exercise the most severe punishments they are able to give out for the individual case. If enforcing sadists are employed by society as, for example, police or prison staff, their actions are not perceived to be unjust and they have far-reaching freedoms to dominate, victimize or destroy others at will. They are supposed to act fairly but their personalities are not able to put limits on the emotions that drive their sadistically vicious behaviors. The more these sadists dominate and punish others, the more satisfaction and power they feel. Their self-perception of righteousness is reinforced and their ego increases. The satisfaction the enforcing sadists gets from punishing other people can reach a state of intoxication where they cannot stop their behavior and lose their awareness of reality in these situations. 

Because they may have a socially sanctioned perch to mete out punishment, there is always plausible deniability.  People having to deal with this type report feeling gaslit.  They know they are not being punished for their own good, especially when the same infraction is punished over and over and reproduced verbal to demean and attack,  And there is also reason to punish and punish again for the same infraction. Others may ally with the aggressive-sadistic bullying out of fear or if it suits their own agenda. 

The personality types can have an explosive quality or "eruptive" architecture., and the nervous system may have commonalities similar to that with bipolar disorders. The anger may seem quick in one variant of the Aggressive-Sadistic Personality. A father quickly swatting out a child walking by. They may identify with images of aggression--jewelry, decor, or pets that have some sort of aggressive quality (scorpions, spiders, snakes), and enjoyment of gory shows, a sense of dogmatism in their opinions, and family members who seem damaged. In their conversation or posting they may conceptualize events in terms of responsibility--so and so was not responsible or broke the rule, and hence needs punishment.  They tend to break down in the long run because of the constant anger. 

 Either a male or female can show aggressive sadistic traits. One might expect to see failing health, depression, anxiety, and a range of associated problems with those having to deal daily with this. Additionally, there may be flip-flops of attitude on the part of the aggressive sadistic person, a reaction formation that is part of the abuse cycle.

Theodore Millon, the late personality theorist, does well in his description of this type and formulated many of he ideas by which this personality is understood.  Generally, helping clients realize that they are suffering effects from exposure to that type of personality can be helpful. Unforthnately they have to accept limited change in the offending abuser: this type mostly stays the same with time, or has to work extremely hard for a complete personality metamorphosis, usually involving some reaction formation, that is brittle, sometimes friendy, sometimes aggressive, always seeming unstable.