Conduct disorder is a psychiatric category to describe a pattern of repetitive behavior where the rights of others or the current social norms are violated. Symptoms include verbal and physical aggression, cruel behavior toward people and pets, destructive behavior, lying, truancy, vandalism, and stealing. After the age of 18, a conduct disorder may develop into antisocial personality disorder.

Diagnosis Criteria Under The DSM IV
1. 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:

Aggression to people and animals
1. often bullies people, threatens, or intimidates others
2. often initiates physical fights
3. has used a weapon that can cause serious physical harm to others (e.g., a bat, brick, broken bottle, knife, gun)
4. has been physically cruel to people
5. has been physically cruel to animals
6. has stolen while confronting a victim (e.g., mugging, purse snatching, extortion, armed robbery)
7. has forced someone into sexual activity

Destruction of property
1. has deliberately engaged in fire setting with the intention of causing serious damage.
2. has deliberately destroyed others’ property (other than by fire).

Deceitfulness or theft
1. has broken into someone else’s house, building, or car
2. often lies to obtain goods or favors or to avoid obligations (i.e., “cons” others)
3. has stolen items of nontrivial value without confronting a victim (e.g., shoplifting, but without breaking and entering; forgery)

Serious violations of rules
1. often stays out at night despite parental prohibitions, beginning before age 13 years
2. 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)
3. is often truant from school, beginning before age 13 years
4. The disturbance in behavior causes clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

If the individual is age 18 years or older, criteria are not met for Antisocial personality disorder.

Lisa Angelettie, M.S.W., is a psychotherapist, author, and life coach. She has been helping people make smarter life choices since 1998. Get more free tips like this when you subscribe to the GirlShrink newsletter .

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