Question

Dawnn has acquired a reputation for a violent temper both at school and in her neighborhood. Sometimes she hits people. Sometimes she smashes objects. She has run away from home several times. Her parents and teachers are frightened of her. If Dawnn were evaluated, her diagnosis would most likely be:

A. Conduct Disorder
B. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
C. Bipolar Disorder
D. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Answer 1

Given Dawnn's violent temper, aggression, property destruction, and disregard for societal norms, the most likely diagnosis would be Conduct Disorder, as it aligns with the pattern of violating others' rights and societal rules.

Step-by-step explanation:

The characteristics of Dawnn's behavior such as violent temper, hitting people, smashing objects, and running away from home point to a pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others or major societal norms. These actions suggest traits that align with Conduct Disorder, which is 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. These behaviors are more severe than Oppositional Defiant Disorder and do not align with the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder or Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which have different primary features such as mood swings or persistent and excessive anxiety, respectively.

Conduct Disorder is often identifiable through various problematic behaviors including aggression toward people and animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft, and serious violations of rules. This aligns with Dawnn's violent and destructive behaviors. Meanwhile, to diagnose Bipolar disorder, the individual typically needs to show periods of significantly elevated mood or irritability, which are not mentioned in Dawnn's case. Generalized Anxiety Disorder would involve persistent and excessive worry, not aggressive outbursts.