## DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Conduct Disorder: Duration and Threshold **Key Point:** Conduct Disorder requires **at least 6 months** of symptom duration with **a minimum of 3 criteria** from the diagnostic list. ### DSM-5 Duration and Threshold Requirements 1. **Minimum Duration:** 6 months - Symptoms must be present for at least 6 consecutive months - This ensures the pattern is not transient or situational 2. **Minimum Number of Criteria:** 3 or more - At least 3 criteria from the 15 listed criteria must be met - Criteria span four domains: aggression, property destruction, deceitfulness/theft, and serious rule violations 3. **Functional Impairment:** Clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning ### Contrast with ODD | Disorder | Duration | Criteria Threshold | Age Onset | |----------|----------|-------------------|----------| | **ODD** | ≥6 months | ≥4 criteria | Before age 16 | | **CD** | ≥6 months | ≥3 criteria | Before age 18 | **High-Yield:** The 6-month rule is consistent across most childhood disruptive behaviour disorders (ODD, ADHD, CD) — this is a high-yield fact for exam purposes. **Clinical Pearl:** The lower threshold (3 criteria) for CD compared to ODD (4 criteria) reflects that fewer but more serious behaviours may be sufficient for CD diagnosis due to the severity of individual symptoms. **Mnemonic:** **"6-3 for CD"** — 6 months, 3 criteria minimum for Conduct Disorder.
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