"Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" 4th Edition

"DSM-IV"


"Published by the American Psychiatric association of Washington DC

First Printing, May 1994/  Copyright @ 1994 American Psychiatric  Association



Page 645

"Cluster B Personality Disorders

301.7  ANTISOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDER

Diagnostic Features

 The essential feature of Anti Personality Disorder is a pervasive pattern of disregard for, and violation of the rights of others that begins in childhood or  early adolescence and continues into adulthood.

This pattern has also been referred to as psychopathy, sociopathy, or dyssocial personality disorder.
Because  deceit and manipulation are central features   of Antisocial Personality Disorder,
it may be especially helpful to integrate information acquired from systematic clinical assessment with information collected from  systematic clinical assessment with information collected from collateral sources.

For this diagnosis to be given, the individual must be at least age 18 years (Criterion B)
and must have had a history of  some symptoms of Conduct Disorder before age 15 years (Criterion C). 
Conduct Disorder involves a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights
of others  or major age-appropriate societal norms or  rules are violated.  The specific behaviors
characteristic of Conduct Disorder fall into one of four categories:  aggressive to to people,
destruction of property, deceitfulness and theft,  or a serious violation of rules.
These are described in more detail  on p. 85.