DSM diagnosis of conduct disorder (CD)--a review

Conduct disorder (CD) is a condition that describes an aggressive, antisocial and criminal individual with social maladjustment. A diagnostician must consider symptoms, time and function when making a diagnosis. The aim of the article is to provide a general outline of the CD diagnosis described in DSM, using three databases--Medline, PsycIFO and Social Sciences Citation. The diagnostic criteria give an impression that individuals with this condition constitute a homogeneous group, but empirical studies show that these individuals can only be seen as a heterogeneous group. Although the diagnosis describes a temporary condition, it seems to be a fairly stable condition when the CD symptoms start at an early age. More boys than girls seem to have this condition. CD is a condition that often appears with other conditions. During the assessment of psychiatric conditions, especially a heterogenic condition like CD, it would be most appropriate to also use dimensional approaches. If clinicians use dimensional approaches, they will also take under consideration the high comorbidity between CD and internalizing problems.