A 40-year-old man consistently disregards the rights of others, has a history of repeated law violations, deceitfulness, and impulsivity. He shows no remorse after harming others and has a pattern dating back to adolescence. A diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder requires that the individual must be at least which age at the time of diagnosis?

• A 18 years ✓
• B 16 years
• C 21 years
• D 12 years

Explanation

DSM-5-TR requires that the individual be at least 18 years old at the time of diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder. Additionally, there must be evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15, demonstrating that the antisocial pattern is longstanding. Conduct disorder in childhood encompasses aggression, destruction of property, deceitfulness, and serious rule violations. The requirement for prior conduct disorder and adult age prevents labelling juveniles with a personality disorder diagnosis.

Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.