F92 vs F91
F91 — Conduct disorders
Distinguish a genuine mixed disorder of conduct and emotions (F92), requiring both a conduct-disorder-level pattern and an independently diagnosable emotional disturbance, from a conduct disorder alone (F91) with only brief, situational irritability that does not meet its own emotional-disturbance threshold.
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Show overlap — what both share
Young people with a persistent conduct-disorder pattern very often show some irritability, low mood, or emotional reactivity — especially around being disciplined or facing consequences — making it easy to over- or under-diagnose the additional emotional component F92 specifically requires.
Show decisive evidence
- F92 requires both a conduct-disorder-level behavioural pattern and a genuine, persistent emotional disturbance (most often depressive symptoms) that independently meets its own diagnostic threshold.
- F91 alone applies when the conduct pattern is present but any accompanying irritability or upset is brief, situational, and does not independently meet an emotional disorder's own criteria.
- A sustained change in mood, sleep, appetite, interest, or energy — persisting beyond the immediate context of being disciplined or caught — favours F92.
- Irritability confined to the moment of being disciplined, resolving quickly and without a broader pattern of mood disturbance, favours F91 alone.
What weakens F92: The absence of a sustained, independently diagnosable emotional disturbance — with only brief, situational irritability present — weakens F92 in favour of F91 alone.
Show duration / course
F92 requires both components to independently meet their own duration criteria (a persistent conduct pattern and, separately, an emotional disturbance meeting its own threshold); F91 alone requires only the conduct pattern's persistence.
Show exclusions / context
Per F92's own exclusions_distinctions entry, a conduct-disorder pattern with only brief, situational irritability tied to being disciplined is directed to F91 rather than F92.
Show information still needed
Whether the accompanying emotional disturbance is genuine, persistent, and independently meets its own diagnostic threshold, or is brief and situational, tied only to the immediate context of discipline or being caught.
Show the common trap
Describing a young person with conduct problems as 'moody' or 'depressed' and coding F92 without confirming the emotional disturbance actually meets its own threshold independently of the conduct pattern.
Mini challenge — practise this distinction
Apply the discriminating evidence above to a fresh case before checking the full feedback.