Conduct Disorders

Conduct disorder is very serious condition that may be confused with a child being a delinquent. Conduct Disorder envelops a number of emotional and behavioral problems that affect children and young adults. While conduct disorder is a very serious mental illness, it is often misinterpreted or undiagnosed. Many children, teachers, adults and social agencies may see a child as being a “bad seed” or a delinquent without realizing that they are suffering from a serious mental condition. Conduct disorder may be developed due to brain damage, child abuse, genetic vulnerability, school failure, or traumatic life experiences.

Warning signs for children with conduct disorder include but are not limited to: physical aggression toward people and animals, threatening and intimidating behaviors, use of deadly weapons, theft, assault and forcing individuals into sexual activities. Children and adolescents with conduct disorder may also intentionally set fires to cause damage and destroy other’s property, breaks into other’s homes, lies to their advantage, and steals.

Many children with conduct disorders may have other conditions as well, like mood disorders, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning problems and learning disabilities, or thought disorders which can be treated. Treatment is imperative to helping children with conduct disorders. Without early interventions and treatment, children with conduct disorders are likely to have ongoing problems, are unable to adapt to the responsibilities of adulthood and have difficulties in relationships and keeping jobs.

Treatments for children with conduct disorders are complex and challenging and may include: behavior therapy, psychotherapy, special education services, and special management and educational programs both at home and at school. Treatment may also include medications to improve attention, impulse control and mood.

Facts for Families: Conduct Disorders. (n.d.). American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Retrieved February 27, 2012, from www.aacap.org/galleries/FactsForFamilies/33_conduct_disorder.pdf