Antisocial Personality Disorder in Adolescents / Teens

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? ASPD cannot be diagnosed <18; Conduct Disorder ages 11–16: ~8% boys / 5% girls in UK data
Is it more common among adolescents / teens? Not applicable until adulthood
Are adolescents / teens at higher risk? #N/A
How much higher is the risk? Same developmental evidence; risk especially with persistent/early-onset CD
How often can it be missed? Very High risk of premature ASPD labelling
Does it show up differently among adolescents / teens? Fundamentally different developmental framework
How might it look different? Persistent CD, aggression, delinquency, deceit, substance use and severe rule-breaking warrant assessment; personality still developing
What commonly occurs alongside it? ADHD; ODD/CD; substance use; depression
What can it be confused with? Conduct Disorder; ADHD; substance use; bipolar disorder; trauma-related behaviour
Common screening tool No ASPD screening before 18 — assess Conduct Disorder / antisocial behaviour developmentally
Separate screening tool for adolescents / teens Conduct Disorder assessment; APSD measures psychopathic traits, not ASPD diagnosis
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