The use of the diagnosis "sociopathy" and its synonyms hinders the
search for other kinds of symptomatology, the recognition of which might
lead to appropriate therapeutic intervention. The authors therefore suggest
that the terms "sociopathic personality," "antisocial personality," and
"acting out aggressive reaction of childhood or adolescence" be eliminated
as primary diagnoses from the psychiatric nomenclature for children or
adolescents. Two case reports are presented to emphasize the damage these
diagnoses can cause.
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