Conduct
Disorder
What is it?
Conduct
disorder is a behavioral and emotional disorder in
children and adolescents that is characterized by a
pattern of aggressive, antisocial behavior.
Who is
affected by it?
Conduct
disorder can appear during childhood and adolescence. It
is more common in boys than girls.
What causes
it?
Researchers
have not identified a specific cause of conduct disorder,
but have identified some factors that can contribute to
its development. These include physical and emotional
abuse or neglect, poor family or peer relationships,
parental personality disorder, drug abuse or parental
substance abuse, traumatic brain injury, and school
failure. School difficulties can trigger a conduct
disorder because they cause feelings of frustration and
low self esteem. However, children with conduct disorders
generally fall within normal IQ ranges. Researchers have
found a link between the development of conduct disorders
in boys and fetal exposure to nicotine during pregnancy.
What are the
symptoms?
The symptoms of
conduct disorder in children and adolescents include
aggressive behavior toward others and animals (with the
intent to hurt), inappropriate expressions of anger, lying
and stealing, inability to follow rules at home and
school, and destructive behavior, all with little or no
signs of remorse. Children with conduct disorder are also
more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, and engage in
sexual activity at an early age. Conditions such as ADHD
and depression are likely to accompany conduct disorder.
How is it
diagnosed?
If a healthcare
professional or school official suspects a conduct
disorder in a child because of a pattern of behavior over
at least one year, he or she will suggest a thorough
psychological evaluation. Mental health specialists, such
as psychologists or psychiatrists, use a number of means
to determine whether a child has a conduct disorder. These
include studying the child’s medical and social history,
conducting interviews with the child and his or her
primary caregivers and teachers, and administering written
and verbal tests designed to detect the presence of these
types of disorders. The mental health specialist will also
consider other conditions that might present similar
symptoms, such as bipolar disorder. He or she will look
for factors that contribute to the development of a
conduct disorder, which can help direct appropriate
treatment.
What is the
treatment?
The goal of
treatment for conduct disorder is to help the child learn
to regulate his or her own behavior. This is accomplished
through behavior and psychotherapy, which help the child
develop better self-esteem and learn how to control and
express anger appropriately. For treatment to be
successful, it must include the child, the family, and the
school. If the child’s home environment has contributed to
the development of a conduct disorder, he or she may need
to be removed from that environment and placed somewhere
more supportive. Children with additional conditions, such
as ADHD or depression, or those displaying extreme
aggression, may also be treated with medication. Often,
treating ADHD and depression will help improve a conduct
disorder.
Self-care tips
The earlier a
conduct disorder is treated, the better a child’s chance
of functioning in society as he or she gets older.
Children who live in a home where they feel loved and
valued, and where boundaries for behavior are clearly
established, are less likely to develop conduct disorders.
Pay attention to whether your child is having difficulty
in school, academically or socially, or is showing signs
of depression. Treating these types of problems before
they affect the child’s self-esteem can go a long way in
preventing future problems.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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