Conduct Disorder is characterized by aggressiveness, destruction of property, theft or lying and disregard for rules.
Conduct Disorder in children is considered a disruptive disorder and interferes with a child’s abilities in academics and social functioning. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the prevalence rate is between 1% and 4% of children ages 9 to 17.
Symptoms
Some of the behaviors exhibited by children with Conduct Disorder are;
Aggressiveness:
- Bullying, threatening or intimidating of others
- Frequent physical fights (may use a weapon such as a knife, broken bottle or gun)
- May abuse animals
- Forced sexual activity
- Assault
Destruction of Property
- Arson
- Intentional vandalism
- Lack of regard and general disrespect for other’s property or belongings
Lying, Stealing
- Breaking into houses or cars
- Shoplifting
- Lies with the intention of gaining something or to avoid taking responsibility
Disregard for Rules
- Stays out past curfew, despite parental rules
- Runs away from home
- Skips school frequently
Parents that feel their children are exhibiting the above symptoms should consult their behavior and request a complete evaluation. Many children with Conduct Disorder have co-existing conditions, such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Mood Disorders or Learning Disabilities. These conditions should be treated along with the Conduct Disorder.
Causes
It seems that Conduct Disorder is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is diagnosed more often in families where the parents had behavioral problems. In addition, children with Conduct Disorder have more problems interpreting social cues and may have experienced rejection, either by other children or by their parents. A study completed by Loeber & Stouthamer-Loeber in 1986 found that social risk factors included: maternal rejection, separation from parents, family neglect, abuse, domestic violence or parental mental illness.
Genetic and physical factors that may contribute to Conduct Disorder include neurological brain damage at birth, low birth weight, lack of sensitivity to pain and punishment, and the existence of other disorders (often untreated) such as ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, bipolar, depression or learning disabilities.
Treatment
Medication has had limited impact on treating Conduct Disorder. Some medications, such as lithium have shown a reduction in aggressiveness in some studies but not in others. Medication can be helpful in treating co-existing conditions and may help to reduce symptoms of Conduct Disorder if the underlying cause is untreated mental illness.
Parent training has shown to be the best intervention. The U.S. Surgeon General lists the two best possible treatments to be a program based on Living with Children (Bernal et al, 1980) and a video model parent training by Spaccarelli et al, 1992.
Outlook
In the past, children with Conduct Disorder were expected to grow up to have problems with the law or with anti-social behaviors. Recent research, however, has shown more positive results and according to Mental Health America, “most children and adolescents with conduct disorder do not grow up to have behavioral problems with the law as adults; most of these youth do well as adults, both socially and occupationally.”
Reference:
Conduct Disorder, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2004
