Children and teens with conduct disorder have a hard time following rules, respecting the rights of others and showing empathy. They often misinterpret the behavior of others as threatening and react aggressively. Their behaviors can be destructive, including violence, stealing and vandalism.
It's important to get help for your child if their behavior is disruptive or dangerous. Treatment options include individual talk therapy, family therapy and residential care.
Symptoms
Although occasional acting out is a normal part of children’s emotional development, when disruptive behavior becomes frequent and consistent it may be a sign of a mental health condition. Children and teens with conduct disorders often have trouble at school and in relationships, and they may be at risk for alcohol or drug abuse and sexual risk-taking.
Isolated acts of aggression or antisocial behaviors do not typically indicate the presence of conduct disorder, and they must be present for at least six months to qualify for a diagnosis. A child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist will gather information from parents, teachers and other caregivers to evaluate your child’s behavior. They will also ask questions to identify biological, environmental and social factors that might contribute to the problem.
Treatment options include psychotherapy (talk therapy) for your child and family, parent management training and community-based interventions such as contingency management programs that reward positive behavior. In some cases, a healthcare provider may prescribe medications for aggression or irritability.
Causes
Children and teens with conduct disorder have difficulty following rules, showing empathy for others and behaving in a socially acceptable way. They often engage in aggressive behavior and destroy property. They are at risk of being convicted of crimes and develop serious mental illnesses as adults.
Researchers think that some of the causes of conduct disorder are genetic and involve defects or injuries to certain brain regions. Other causes include having close family members with mental illnesses, such as mood disorders and substance abuse. Other risks include traumatic experiences in childhood, family dysfunction, lack of parental involvement and poverty.
Untreated, this condition can lead to problems with school, relationships and work. It can also contribute to problems with drugs or alcohol and to a greater risk for teen suicide. Some people with conduct disorder will meet criteria for antisocial personality disorder in adulthood. People with this condition are more likely to have problems with depression and anxiety, too.
Diagnosis
A medical professional can diagnose conduct disorder based on the criteria set forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Your child or teen must display aggression toward people or animals, destruction of property, lying, and/or theft for six months or more. These behaviors must be severe enough to negatively affect your child's relationship with family and friends, social life, and school work.
Research suggests that children and teens with conduct disorders often have other psychiatric illnesses, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, or substance use disorders. They may also have a history of abuse and/or neglect.
If untreated, children with conduct disorder can continue their problematic behavior into adulthood, leading to troubled relationships, inability to hold jobs, and possible criminal behavior. They can also develop a personality disorder, such as antisocial personality disorder. Treatment options include cognitive-behavioral therapy, individual talk therapy, family therapy, and peer group therapy. Treatment is more effective when it's a team effort between you, your child, and their healthcare provider.
Treatment
Getting prompt treatment and addressing any other mental health problems improves the outlook for children with conduct disorder. It is important to remember that heredity and the environment probably influence the development of this condition. Children with this condition lack sensitivity to the feelings and well-being of others. They often misperceive the behavior of others as threatening and may react aggressively. They also have difficulty tolerating frustration and are reckless, displaying disregard for rules and parental prohibitions. They may be cruel to animals, destroy property, and lie.
Children with this disorder have poor relationships and often struggle to develop and maintain friendships. They are at increased risk for alcohol or drug abuse, and they can engage in dangerous sexual risk-taking that can lead to a variety of STIs. Psychotherapy, which teaches new skills for controlling emotions and behavior, is the primary form of treatment. Some medications, such as risperidone (an antipsychotic) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are used to treat aggression and irritability in these children.
