Differential Diagnosis
- The following differential diagnosis is based on the provided information about a 15-year-old boy with a history of petty crime and violent behavior, who was recently arrested for shooting a store employee while robbing a convenience store.
Single most likely diagnosis
- a) Conduct disorder: This is the most likely diagnosis, as the boy's behavior (shooting a store employee and a record of petty crime and violent behavior) meets the criteria for conduct disorder, which is characterized by a pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules.
Other Likely diagnoses
- b) Oppositional defiant disorder: Although this diagnosis is a possibility, it is less likely than conduct disorder, as the boy's behavior goes beyond the criteria for oppositional defiant disorder (which includes a pattern of angry/irritable or vindictive behavior) and includes more severe violent behavior.
- Note: c) Antisocial personality disorder is not a likely diagnosis at this time, as the boy is only 15 years old, and antisocial personality disorder cannot be diagnosed until the age of 18.
Do Not Miss
- Psychotic disorder or substance-induced psychosis: Although not likely, it is essential to rule out any underlying psychotic disorder or substance-induced psychosis that may have contributed to the boy's violent behavior.
- Neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., ADHD, autism spectrum disorder): These conditions may contribute to impulsivity or aggression and should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
- Trauma or stressor-related disorders: The boy may have experienced trauma or stressors that contributed to his behavior, and these should be assessed.
Rare diagnoses
- Intermittent explosive disorder: This is a rare condition characterized by recurrent episodes of violent behavior, but it is less likely in this case, as the boy's behavior appears to be part of a larger pattern of conduct disorder.
- Neurological disorders (e.g., frontal lobe epilepsy, traumatic brain injury): These rare conditions can contribute to violent behavior and should be considered in the differential diagnosis, although they are unlikely.