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Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is the most serious psychiatric disorder in childhood and adolescence.

Research suggests that conduct disorder is a more severe form of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and the childhood equivalent of antisocial personality disorder.

Conduct disorder is a complicated group of behavioral and emotional problems in children and adolescents.

Those with this disorder have great difficulty following rules and behaving in a socially acceptable way.  They are often viewed by other children, adults and social agencies as "bad" or delinquent, rather than mentally ill.

Children or adolescents with conduct disorder may exhibit some of the following behaviors:

Aggression to people and animals

• bullies, threatens or intimidates others

• often initiates physical fights

• has used a weapon that could cause serious physical harm to others (e.g. a bat, brick, broken bottle, knife or gun)

• is physically cruel to people and/or animals

• steals from a victim while confronting them (e.g. assault)

• forces someone into sexual activity

Destruction of Property

• deliberately engages in firesetting with the intention to cause damage

• deliberately destroys other's property

Deceitfulness, lying, or stealing

• has broken into someone else's building, house, or car

• lies to obtain goods, or favors or to avoid obligations

• steals items without confronting a victim (e.g. shoplifting, but without breaking and entering)

Serious violations of rules

• often stays out at night despite parental objections

• runs away from home

• often truant from school

Children who exhibit these behaviors should receive a comprehensive evaluation.  Many children with a conduct disorder may have coexisting conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety, post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), substance abuse, ADHD, learning problems, or thought disorders which can also be treated.

Research shows that teens with conduct disorder are likely to have ongoing problems if they and their families do not receive early and comprehensive treatment.  Without treatment, many young people with conduct disorder are unable to adapt to the demands of adulthood and continue to have problems with relationships and holding a job.  They often break laws or behave in an antisocial manner.

Many factors may contribute to a child developing conduct disorder, including brain damage, child abuse, genetic vulnerability, school failure, and traumatic life experiences.

Treatment of teens with conduct disorder can be complex and challenging.  Treatment can be provided in a variety of different settings depending on the severity of the behaviors.

Adding to the challenge of treatment are the teens uncooperative attitude, fear and distrust of adults.  In developing a comprehensive treatment plan, a teen and adolescent psychiatrist may use information from the teen, family, teachers, and other medical specialties to understand the causes of the disorder.

Behavior therapy and psychotherapy are usually necessary to help the teen appropriately express and control anger.  Special education may be needed for teens with learning disabilities.  Parents often need expert assistance in devising and carrying out special management and educational programs in the home and at school.

Treatment is rarely brief since establishing new attitudes and behavior patterns takes time.   However, early treatment offers a teen a better chance for considerable improvement and hope for a more successful future.

Copyright © 1997 by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

• www.liahonaacademy.com, more information on Conduct Disorder .
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