Conduct Disorder 471
Unconcerned about performance: Does not show concern about poor/problem-
atic performance at school, at work, or in other important activities. The individual
does not put forth the effort necessary to perform well, even when expectations are
clear, and typically blames other s for his or her poor performance.
Shallow or deficient affect:  Does not express feelings or show emotions to others,
except in ways that seem shallow, insincere,  or superficial (e.g., actions contradict the
emotion displayed; can turn emotions “on” or “off” quickly) or when emotional expres-
sions are used for gain (e.g., emotions displayed to manipulate or intimidate others).
Specify current severity:
Mild:  Few if any conduct problems in excess of those required to make the diagnosis
are present, and conduct problems cause relatively minor harm to others (e.g., lying,
truancy, staying out after dark without permission, other rule breaking).
Moderate: The number of conduct problems and the effect on others are intermediate
between those specified in “mild” and those in “severe” (e.g., stealing without confront-
ing a victim, vandalism).
Severe:  Many conduct problems in excess of those required to make the diagnosis are
present, or conduct problems cause considerable harm to others (e.g., forced sex, physical
cruelty, use of a weapon, stealing while c onfronting a victim, breaking and entering).
Subtypes
Three subtypes of conduct disorder are provided based on the age at onset of the disorder.
Onset is most accurately estimated with information from both the youth and the care-
giver; estimates are often 2 years later than actu al onset. Both subtypes can occur in a mild,
moderate, or severe form. An unspecified-onse t subtype is designated when there is in-