Question

What are the diagnostic criteria for Conduct Disorder and associated specifiers?

a) Persistent patterns of violating social norms and rights of others, aggression towards people and animals, specifiers include aggression and destruction
b) Recurrent temper tantrums, disobedience at home, specifiers include defiance and opposition
c) Frequent mood swings, irritability, low frustration tolerance, specifier includes irritability
d) Excessive worrying, fear of separation, avoidance of social interactions, specifier includes anxiety

Answer 1

Conduct Disorder is characterized by a persistent pattern of violating social norms and rights of others, including aggression and property destruction. Diagnostic criteria require significant impairment in functioning, and specifiers such as age of onset and severity can further define the disorder.

Step-by-step explanation:

The diagnostic criteria for Conduct Disorder involve a persistent pattern of behavior in which the individual violates the rights of others or major societal norms. These behaviors can include aggression towards people and animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft, and serious violation of rules. To be diagnosed with Conduct Disorder, these behaviors must cause significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

There are also several associated specifiers for Conduct Disorder that clinicians can use to describe the disorder more accurately. These specifiers can relate to the age of onset (Childhood-Onset Type, Adolescent-Onset Type), the severity of the disorder (Mild, Moderate, or Severe), and whether the individual displays limited prosocial emotions, which speaks to the emotional and relational aspects of the disorder.