Conduct Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsImpactDiagnosisCausesTypesTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Symptoms

Impact

Diagnosis

Causes

Types

Treatment

Coping

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It’s important for kids with conduct disorder to get professional treatment. Recognizing the early warning signs can help you take appropriate action.

Conduct disorder extends beyond normalteenage rebellion. It involves serious behavior problems that are likely to raise alarm among teachers, parents, peers, and other adults. In order to qualify for a diagnosis of conduct disorder, children must exhibit at least three of these symptoms in the past year and at least one in the past six months:

Aggression Toward People and Animals

Property Destruction

Deceptiveness or Theft

Serious Rule Violation

Conduct disorder isn’t just a challenge for caregivers—it actually impairs a child’s ability to function. Some areas where the condition may affect a child’s life include:

A professional may interview the child, review records, and ask that parents and teachers complete questionnaires about the child’s behavior. Psychological testing and other assessment tools may also be used to evaluate the child.

Researchers aren’t exactly sure why some children develop conduct disorder. A variety of biological, psychological, and social factors are likely involved. Quite often, those factors overlap. Some that may play a role include:

Oppositional Defiant Disorder as a PrecursorSomechildren with oppositional defiant disordergo on to develop conduct disorder. Oppositional defiant disorder is a behavior disorder that involves a pattern of angry or irritable mood, argumentativeness and defiance, and vindictiveness. Without effective treatment, oppositional defiant disorder may progress into conduct disorder as a child ages.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder as a Precursor

Somechildren with oppositional defiant disordergo on to develop conduct disorder. Oppositional defiant disorder is a behavior disorder that involves a pattern of angry or irritable mood, argumentativeness and defiance, and vindictiveness. Without effective treatment, oppositional defiant disorder may progress into conduct disorder as a child ages.

Common Comorbid Conditions

Many children with conduct disorder have other mental health issues or cognitive impairments. These can include:

Children with conduct disorder may be more likely to developantisocial personality disorderlater in life.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), which is used to diagnose mental illnesses, also distinguishes between conduct disorder with or without “limited prosocial emotions.”

Treatment for conduct disorderdepends on several factors, such as a child’s age and the severity of behavior problems. The most common treatment methods include:

Early intervention is key to getting the most effective treatment, so it’s important for parents, educators, and physicians to be aware of the signs of conduct disorder in children so that appropriate referrals and interventions can be put into place.

Research suggests that taking part in psychosocial treatments can help both children and families cope with the effects of conduct disorder. Such approaches often involve working with parents and caregivers to help them find effective ways of managing their child’s behavior. This may include such things as:

The ultimate goal of such training is to help parents and children interact more effectively. This can lead to less conflict and help children better regulate their behavior.

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5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fairchild G, Hawes D, Frick P et al.Conduct disorder.Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2019;5(1). doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0095-yAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Brooks Holliday S, Ewing BA, Storholm ED, Parast L, D’Amico EJ.Gender differences in the association between conduct disorder and risky sexual behavior.J Adolesc.2017;56:75-83. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.01.008Tuvblad C, Beaver K.Genetic and environmental influences on antisocial behavior.J Crim Justice. 2013;41(5):273-276. doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2013.07.007Balia C, Carucci S, Coghill D, Zuddas A.The pharmacological treatment of aggression in children and adolescents with conduct disorder. Do callous-unemotional traits modulate the efficacy of medication?.Neurosci Biobehav Rev.2018;91:218-238. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.024Additional ReadingBaker K.Conduct disorders in children and adolescents.J Paediatr Child Health. 2013;23(1):24-29. doi:10.1016/j.paed.2012.09.007

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fairchild G, Hawes D, Frick P et al.Conduct disorder.Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2019;5(1). doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0095-yAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Brooks Holliday S, Ewing BA, Storholm ED, Parast L, D’Amico EJ.Gender differences in the association between conduct disorder and risky sexual behavior.J Adolesc.2017;56:75-83. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.01.008Tuvblad C, Beaver K.Genetic and environmental influences on antisocial behavior.J Crim Justice. 2013;41(5):273-276. doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2013.07.007Balia C, Carucci S, Coghill D, Zuddas A.The pharmacological treatment of aggression in children and adolescents with conduct disorder. Do callous-unemotional traits modulate the efficacy of medication?.Neurosci Biobehav Rev.2018;91:218-238. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.024Additional ReadingBaker K.Conduct disorders in children and adolescents.J Paediatr Child Health. 2013;23(1):24-29. doi:10.1016/j.paed.2012.09.007

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Fairchild G, Hawes D, Frick P et al.Conduct disorder.Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2019;5(1). doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0095-yAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Brooks Holliday S, Ewing BA, Storholm ED, Parast L, D’Amico EJ.Gender differences in the association between conduct disorder and risky sexual behavior.J Adolesc.2017;56:75-83. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.01.008Tuvblad C, Beaver K.Genetic and environmental influences on antisocial behavior.J Crim Justice. 2013;41(5):273-276. doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2013.07.007Balia C, Carucci S, Coghill D, Zuddas A.The pharmacological treatment of aggression in children and adolescents with conduct disorder. Do callous-unemotional traits modulate the efficacy of medication?.Neurosci Biobehav Rev.2018;91:218-238. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.024

Fairchild G, Hawes D, Frick P et al.Conduct disorder.Nature Reviews Disease Primers. 2019;5(1). doi:10.1038/s41572-019-0095-y

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th edition. 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Brooks Holliday S, Ewing BA, Storholm ED, Parast L, D’Amico EJ.Gender differences in the association between conduct disorder and risky sexual behavior.J Adolesc.2017;56:75-83. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.01.008

Tuvblad C, Beaver K.Genetic and environmental influences on antisocial behavior.J Crim Justice. 2013;41(5):273-276. doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2013.07.007

Balia C, Carucci S, Coghill D, Zuddas A.The pharmacological treatment of aggression in children and adolescents with conduct disorder. Do callous-unemotional traits modulate the efficacy of medication?.Neurosci Biobehav Rev.2018;91:218-238. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.024

Baker K.Conduct disorders in children and adolescents.J Paediatr Child Health. 2013;23(1):24-29. doi:10.1016/j.paed.2012.09.007

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