Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in adolescents with conduct disorder: Sex differences and onset Patterns

Examined sex differences in the rate and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma exposure, and onset patterns in youth with conduct disorder (CD). 45 male and 31 female 10–17 yr olds admitted to a clinical facility for severe behavior problems completed the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents—Revised (DICA-R) to assess the presence of CD and PTSD. Over one-half of CD youth reported exposure to trauma, yet only 17% met criteria for PTSD. PTSD was more frequent in CD girls (28%) than in boys (10%), and girls experienced greater symptom intensity and anhedonia, difficulty feeling love or affection, and disturbance of s1eep and concentration. Girls more frequently reported sexual assault, while boys were more likely to report accidents, physical assaults, and witnessing the death of a loved one. Retrospective reports indicated that PTSD tended to develop subsequent to CD.