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Conduct Disorder
What is conduct disorder?
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Children with conduct disorder repeatedly break the rules of society for a year or longer. They ignore the personal and property rights of others. They may lie, steal, set fires, run away from home, be cruel to animals and people, and defy authority. Their behavior and emotional problems affect how they function in all areas of life. There is a debate among professionals as to whether this is truly a disorder or just bad behavior.
The cause of conduct disorder is unknown. It seems to occur more in some families.
Factors that appear to increase the risk of developing conduct disorder include:
- brain injury
- inconsistent or poor parenting
- neglect
- abuse
- hanging out with friends who misbehave.
- aggression toward people or animals: bullying or threatening, starting fights, using a weapon that could cause serious injury, physical cruelty to people or animals, stealing while confronting a victim (mugging, purse-snatching), forcing someone into sexual activity.
- destruction of property: fire-setting with intent to cause serious damage, or deliberately destroying someone else's property by other means.
- lying or theft: breaking into a car, building, or home; lying to others for personal gain or to avoid responsibility; stealing things without confronting a victim (shoplifting, forgery)
- serious violations of rules: staying out all night without parents' permission before 13 years of age, running away from home and staying away at least overnight, skipping school often before age 13.
Children with conduct disorder often have other problems as well. These may include:
- hyperactivity
- depression
- learning disabilities
- problems in peer relationships.
Some children with conduct disorder have other mental disorders.
The doctor will do a complete physical exam and ask about the child's symptoms and behavioral history. Diagnosis of conduct disorder is made only after other conditions are ruled out through medical tests for brain injury and psychological tests for severe developmental disorders.
Most authorities believe that a combination of approaches involving as many areas of the child's life as possible works best. Among these are:
- medications, especially if the child is depressed, hyperactive, anxious, or violent
- family therapy, including teaching parents to notice and reward good behavior and to use consistent, effective discipline to correct bad behavior
- individual therapy, including psychotherapy and behavior therapy techniques such as teaching problem-solving skills
- group therapy, which can be used to teach social skills, such as anger management and impulse control, as well as to encourage cooperation with others
- special schools and residential facilities such as reform schools and hospitals that provide a controlled environment.
Research on the long-term effects of this disorder is very limited. It indicates that about half of the children affected "grow out" of this disorder by adulthood. The others often have related problems as adults, such as criminal behavior, aggression, high rates of unemployment, and difficulty relating to other people.
What can I do to help my child?
Learn as much as you can about the conduct disorder. It is very important to be involved with your child in the treatment. Caregivers still remain the strongest influence on the child. Caregivers need to develop skills to control the child's behavior and shape his or her future behavior.
Written by Psychiatric Professional Services, Inc.
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