What is conduct disorder?

Conduct disorder is a behavior disorder, sometimes diagnosed in childhood, that is characterized by antisocial behaviors which violate the rights of others and age-appropriate social standards and rules. Antisocial behaviors may include irresponsibility, delinquent behaviors (such as truancy or running away), violating the rights of others (such as theft), and/or physical aggression toward others (such as assault or rape). These behaviors sometimes occur together; however, one or several may occur without the other(s).

Children and teens who have conduct disorder behave in defiant and disruptive ways, such as violating social rules or hurting other people, for a period of 6 months or longer.

Younger children who have oppositional defiant disorder are sometimes later diagnosed with conduct disorder. Adults who have antisocial personality disorder often showed signs of a conduct disorder in childhood.

Children and teens with conduct disorder may:

• Harm or threaten to harm other people or animals, by bullying or threatening people, initiating physical fights, or being cruel to animals.
• Cause property damage or loss, by deliberately causing a fire or otherwise destroying property.
• Lie, cheat, or steal, by breaking into someone's house, shoplifting, and/or lying to obtain things that they want or to avoid consequences.
• Violate household or social rules, by staying out at night without permission from their parents, running away from home, or being absent from school without permission.

Treatment may include training for parents on how to handle the child or teen's behavior, counseling for the child or teen, family counseling, and a special treatment plan in school. Some children and teens who have conduct disorder have other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, or anxiety, which also may need to be identified and treated.

Conduct disorder (CD) is a serious behavioral disorder that usually begins in childhood or adolescence, but if left untreated, may lead to substance abuse and antisocial disorder in teens and adults. It is characterized by juvenile delinquency and aggressiveness toward peers -- teasing, bullying, fighting, stealing, and lying -- without any feelings of remorse. Seek immediate treatment if your child or teen is exhibiting any of these symptoms.

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