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Conduct
Disorder is a term given to a child
or adolescent whose behavior has harmed
others or has violated community laws.
Conduct Disorder should not be confused
with normal childhood development
of occasional temper outbursts, sibling
rivalry, or fights with peers, nor
is it a reaction to occasional stresses.
Conduct Disorder is a serious behavioral
problem that causes clinically significant
impairment in social, academic, or
occupational functioning. In order
for the diagnosis to occur, at least
three behaviors must be present for
at least one year with one symptom
occurring within the last six months.
What
are the symptoms?
Individuals with Conduct Disorder
have few feelings for others. They
misinterpret others as being hostile
and threatening and react with aggression
that they feel is reasonable and justified.
They often lie or try to “con”
others to avoid facing their own issues.
Children with Conduct Disorder often
start fights, are considered bullies,
sometimes use a weapon such as a club,
bat, broken bottle, knife, gun to
be physically cruel to other people
or to animals, including rape or murder.
They often steal or commit deliberate
property damage such as smashing windows,
vandalism, or fire setting. Running
away and truancy are also frequent
symptoms.
What
is the outcome?
There are many different approaches
to helping children with Conduct Disorder.
Some children benefit from medications
prescribed by a child psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy for the child and his
or her family with education and support
for the parents are essential and
may come in different formats. Regardless
of the form of treatment, it is important
to establish a strong working relationship
with the professional. Therapy requires
a clear understanding with parental
involvement that respects the parents’
role and views the family as a strength
to helping overcome the difficulties
they face . . . not always as a source
of the child’s problem.
Conduct
Disorder frequently brings the child
and family in contact with mental
health providers, school authorities,
and the law. It is one of the most
frequently diagnosed conditions in
mental health facilities and can occur
as early as age 5. However, it usually
begins in late childhood or early
adolescence, and is rare to start
after age 16. Sometimes these inappropriate
behaviors will reduce in adulthood,
and the child will adjust to social
and job demands. Adolescent-Onset
(beginning after age 10) is less likely
to have aggressive behaviors and more
likely to develop normal friendships.
Childhood-Onset (beginning before
age 10) predicts a worse prognosis
and an increased risk in adult life
for Antisocial Personality Disorder,
Substance Abuse related Disorders
and Mood or Anxiety Disorders.
Conduct Disorder is reported more
frequently in large urban areas and
appears to be increasing. Six to sixteen
percent of males under age 18 are
classified as Conduct Disorder, and
for females the prevalence rate ranges
from 2% to 9%.
How
do these children get help?There
are many different approaches to helping
children with Conduct Disorder. Some
children benefit from medications
prescribed by a child psychiatrist.
Psychotherapy for the child and his
or her family with education and support
for the parents are essential and
may come in different formats. Regardless
of the form of treatment, it is important
to establish a strong working relationship
with the professional. Therapy requires
a clear understanding with parental
involvement that respects the parents’
role and views the family as a strength
to helping overcome the difficulties
they face . . . not always as a source
of the child’s problem.
Conduct
Disorder is reported more frequently
in large urban areas and appears to
be increasing. Six to sixteen percent
of males under age 18 are classified
as Conduct Disorder, and for females
the prevalence rate ranges from 2%
to 9%.
*The information presented in
this brochure was obtained from the
American Psychiatric Association:
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders; Fourth Edition
The
Educational Series is intended for
informational purposes only and
not to replace professional evaluation
and treatment.
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