DSM Code for Conduct Disorder

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-IV, assigns distinctive numerical coding and standardized criteria for each recognized disorder. Three specific DSM codes exist for conduct disorder.

Diagnostic Criteria

• Bullying, fighting and physical cruelty are indicative of conduct disorder.

  According the the DSM-IV, conduct disorder is characterized by a repeated pattern of negative behavior that causes significant impairment in social, academic or occupational functioning. Three or more criteria must be present over the past year, and one will have been present in the previous six months:

  • Bullying or fighting

  • Cruelty to animals or people

  • Stealing

  • Forced sexual activity

  • Fire setting or other property destruction

  • Consistent or repeated lying

  • Curfew violations

  • Running away

  • Truancy (before age 13)

Childhood Onset

• Severe misbehavior prior to age 10 may be related to conduct disorder.

  Conduct disorder-childhood onset is characterized by at least one criterion being shown prior to age 10. A severity rate ranging from mild to severe will be given with the diagnosis. Coding for childhood onset is 312.81.

Adolescent Onset

• Antisocial personality disorder can not be diagnosed prior to age 18.

  Conduct disorder-adolescent onset is characterized by the absence of any noted criterion prior to age 10. Adolescents over age 18 could be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder rather than conduct disorder, depending on the symptoms shown. Coding for adolescent onset is 312.82.

Undetermined Onset

• Inability to determine the onset of conduct disorder is rare but can happen. A medical professional unable to decide when initial symptoms began will code conduct disorder 312.89 for undetermined onset.

Other Conduct Diagnoses

• Not every child will fit the criteria for conduct disorder but still has struggles in everyday life.

  Diagnosis for children and teenagers who exhibit certain criteria for conduct disorder yet do not meet all requirements for diagnosis are as follows:

  • 313.81 Oppositional Defiant Disorder--Children and adolescents with ODD have problems respecting authority or following rules, but on a lesser scale than children diagnosed with conduct disorder.

  • 312.9 Disruptive Behavior Disorder NOS--Diagnosis is given if a child does not meet the criteria for either disorder but still demonstrates significant impairment in social or academic functioning.