Conduct Disorder

DEFINITION

• Disorder of childhood and adolescence characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated
• Conduct Disorder is classified under the Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders section of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5)[1].
  • In legal settings, a provider may be asked whether the actual DSM-5 criteria are met; please see the DSM-5 itself for a detailed list of the criteria.
  • The major categories utilized by the DSM-5 for diagnosis are: aggression to people and animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft, and serious violations of the rules.
• Antisocial personality disorder diagnosis often includes evidence of conduct disorder in youth.