Psychopathy in childhood: is it a meaningful diagnosis?

Rutter, Michael · Br J Psychiatry · 2012

editorial · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Psychopathy is not included in either of the main classification systems (ICD-10 or DSM-IV). Research has now extended the concept of psychopathy to childhood and has produced evidence that it is meaningfully distinct from antisocial behaviour. It is proposed that psychopathy should be accepted as a meaningful diagnosis in childhood.

Medical subject headings