Question
DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) outlines specific criteria for diagnosing Conduct Disorder (CD). This disorder is characterized by a pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated. According to the DSM-5, the following criteria must be met:
### A. Persistent Pattern
A repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated, as manifested by the presence of three (or more) of the following criteria in the past 12 months, with at least one criterion present in the past 6 months:
1. **Aggression to People and Animals**
- Often bullies, threatens, or intimidates others.
- Often initiates physical fights.
- Has used a weapon that can cause serious physical harm to others (e.g., a bat, brick, broken bottle, knife, gun).
- Has been physically cruel to people.
- Has been physically cruel to animals.
- Has stolen while confronting a victim (e.g., mugging, purse snatching, extortion, armed robbery).
- Has forced someone into sexual activity.
2. **Destruction of Property**
- Has deliberately engaged in fire setting with the intention of causing serious damage.
- Has deliberately destroyed others' property (other than by fire setting).
3. **Deceitfulness or Theft**
- Has broken into someone else's house, building, or car.
- Often lies to obtain goods or favors or to avoid obligations (i.e., "cons' others).
- Has stolen items of nontrivial value without confronting a victim (e.g., shoplifting, but without breaking and entering).
4. **Serious Violation of Rules**
- Often stays out at night despite parental prohibitions, beginning before age 13 years.
- Has run away from home overnight at least twice while living in parental or parental surrogate home, or once without returning for a lengthy period.
- Is often truant from school, beginning before age 13 years.
### B. Clinical Significance
The disturbance in behavior causes clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.
### C. Age Criteria
The individual is at least 6 years old. If the individual is age 18 years or older, criteria are not met for Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).
### D. Exclusions
The behaviors are not exclusively during the course of a mental disorder such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Mood Disorder.
### Specifiers
Conduct Disorder can also be specified as:
- **Childhood-Onset Type**: If at least one criterion was met prior to age 10 years.
- **Adolescent-Onset Type**: If there is no criterion met for the first time in the juvenile period (before age 10 years).
- **Unspecified Onset**: When the onset is unknown.
### Severity
The severity of conduct disorder can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the number of criteria met and the impact of the behavior on others.
It is critical that a qualified mental health professional conducts a thorough evaluation to make an accurate diagnosis based on these criteria.
### A. Persistent Pattern
A repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated, as manifested by the presence of three (or more) of the following criteria in the past 12 months, with at least one criterion present in the past 6 months:
1. **Aggression to People and Animals**
- Often bullies, threatens, or intimidates others.
- Often initiates physical fights.
- Has used a weapon that can cause serious physical harm to others (e.g., a bat, brick, broken bottle, knife, gun).
- Has been physically cruel to people.
- Has been physically cruel to animals.
- Has stolen while confronting a victim (e.g., mugging, purse snatching, extortion, armed robbery).
- Has forced someone into sexual activity.
2. **Destruction of Property**
- Has deliberately engaged in fire setting with the intention of causing serious damage.
- Has deliberately destroyed others' property (other than by fire setting).
3. **Deceitfulness or Theft**
- Has broken into someone else's house, building, or car.
- Often lies to obtain goods or favors or to avoid obligations (i.e., "cons' others).
- Has stolen items of nontrivial value without confronting a victim (e.g., shoplifting, but without breaking and entering).
4. **Serious Violation of Rules**
- Often stays out at night despite parental prohibitions, beginning before age 13 years.
- Has run away from home overnight at least twice while living in parental or parental surrogate home, or once without returning for a lengthy period.
- Is often truant from school, beginning before age 13 years.
### B. Clinical Significance
The disturbance in behavior causes clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.
### C. Age Criteria
The individual is at least 6 years old. If the individual is age 18 years or older, criteria are not met for Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).
### D. Exclusions
The behaviors are not exclusively during the course of a mental disorder such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Mood Disorder.
### Specifiers
Conduct Disorder can also be specified as:
- **Childhood-Onset Type**: If at least one criterion was met prior to age 10 years.
- **Adolescent-Onset Type**: If there is no criterion met for the first time in the juvenile period (before age 10 years).
- **Unspecified Onset**: When the onset is unknown.
### Severity
The severity of conduct disorder can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the number of criteria met and the impact of the behavior on others.
It is critical that a qualified mental health professional conducts a thorough evaluation to make an accurate diagnosis based on these criteria.