Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a behavioural disorder that describes a pattern of aggressive or destructive behaviour. The harmful behaviours typically do not occur in response to an obvious stressor and often are directed at peers, siblings, or parents. Although there is no single cut-off point for this disorder, the behaviours may begin before age 15. Conduct disorder symptom is characterised by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behaviour in which an individual violates the rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules. Many of these behaviours may be criminal and lead to arrest and incarceration.

Conduct Disorder definition: 

Conduct disorder definition can be described as a pattern of persistent and recurrent behaviours involving a failure to conform to social norms, usually causing serious damage to self or others. Conduct disorder is sometimes called “oppositional defiant disorder” or ODD. It differs from an antisocial personality disorder (APD) in defining the behaviours involved; however, the two are often grouped as oppositional defiant disorders. Other terms used in common usage include conduct disorder, problem behaviour disorders, and bad-seed syndrome.

Conduct disorder symptoms are a common problem among children, adolescents, and young adults. Although it usually does not affect intelligence, the condition can hinder individuals from success in school or work. Conduct disorder is considered a chronic condition that may require treatment for many years to prevent the client from suffering adverse effects later in life. The cause of conduct disorder is not well understood, but it is likely to result from biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

Conduct Disorder symptom and diagnosis: 

Conduct Disorder symptoms may include Personality traits such as becoming angry easily, blaming others for problems, being impulsive, having short-term goals (such as indulging in pleasure or looking out for themselves), and not planning for the future but instead living for the present. People with this disorder often lack empathy and may use manipulation to achieve their ends.

The diagnosis of CD can be challenging. It is typically made by a mental health professional. 

To be diagnosed with CD, there must be maladaptive behaviours outside the range of normal behaviour. This is true regardless of the age when the behaviour begins. Parents are encouraged to keep a detailed record of their child’s behavioural history, which is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and maintain quality care over time.

Health care professionals should not attempt to diagnose CD alone. Referral to paediatricians, mental health professionals, or child psychiatrists is mandatory.

CD is diagnosed primarily by a child’s history and observations of their abnormal behaviours. A disorder similar to conduct disorder, known as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), replaces it if the disturbance occurs only before 10 years.

CD is diagnosed when the behaviours cause serious problems in at least two settings: school, home, or peers, and if the behaviours are not caused by another mental disorder (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) or a learning disability. 

Recognising Conduct Disorder may be difficult for the clinician because some behaviours indicate other disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). In addition, the behavioural Conduct Disorder symptoms can vary in severity, type, and frequency. Finally, repeating behaviour patterns often lead to a conduct disorder diagnosis, yet there is no uniformity in how severe the behaviours need to be. Therefore, many children with conduct disorder are misdiagnosed and lack appropriate treatment.

Conduct Disorder examples:

Following are some of the Conduct Disorder examples:

• A young man in the U.S. was tried as an adult for second-degree murder when he was 16. His mother was diagnosed with postnatal depression and had been medicated, but he did not have any childhood trauma. He wasn’t raised by a single parent and never lived in poverty. He had a stable home life and no record of criminal activity before the murder. The man claimed he was prompted by voices to commit the murder. He was diagnosed with conduct disorder as a young child and had been given multiple psychiatric medications. At trial, experts agreed he was not criminally responsible for his actions, and he spent 5 years in a mental hospital before the judge sentenced him to time served.

• A child sees his father killed in front of him during a home invasion robbery. The child becomes increasingly violent at school, eventually killing one of his classmates after being disciplined by the principal. The child is then diagnosed with conduct disorder and treated with medication.

• A man kills his family because his mother’s boyfriend refuses to stay away from the house. The man has been diagnosed with conduct disorder and has been medicated since childhood. He was also diagnosed with ADHD and depression in adolescence.

Conclusion: 

The development of conduct disorder symptoms is a serious problem, particularly due to the increasing prevalence of the disorder. Unfortunately, many children with CD are misdiagnosed with other psychiatric disorders such as ADHD. A correct CD diagnosis can greatly benefit the child allowing for early intervention and improved outcomes. Suppose the child does not have a traumatic childhood, does not have postnatal depression or other medical conditions, and has been raised by parents who are not abusive. In that case,  the CD is caused by stress or other reasons; the child cannot be responsible for his actions.