Conduct Disorder: Basic Facts
That Parents Should Know

Is your child having difficulty obeying rules and behaving in a socially acceptable way, to the point that they have been described as unruly or delinquent? These behaviors may need additional attention as they could be symptoms of Conduct Disorder. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, “Conduct disorder refers to a group of behavioral and emotional problems in youngsters.” Young people who have this disorder are often perceived as “disobedient” or “disruptive”.

Symptoms of Conduct Disorder can become intense and pervasive. They can impact many aspects of your child’s life, including “social, academic, and family functioning,” says Mental Health America. Without proper treatment, conduct disorder can develop into other emotional conditions. Therapy can improve symptoms of Conduct Disorder. Oftentimes the sooner interventions are provided, the better it can be for your child.

What is Conduct Disorder?

Conduct Disorder is classified as a “disruptive behavior disorder” common among children and teens. It has emotional and behavioral symptoms that can be described as persistent and repetitive. They may also exhibit these behaviors in various social situations or settings.

Conduct Disorder can be categorized into three types, depending on the age of onset – childhood onset, adolescent onset and unspecified onset. It can also be classified as mild, moderate or severe, depending on the intensity of the symptoms.

What do the statistics say about Conduct Disorder?

About 2 to 16 percent of American children have Conduct Disorder. Statistics show that it is more common among boys than girls. Boys have a higher rate at 6 to 16 percent, while girls have 2 to 9 percent. Research also reveals that the age at which the condition develops is higher towards late childhood, around age 10, or early adolescence.

The earlier the onset of conduct disorder occurs, the more likely the ones affected are to suffer from problems at school and strained peer relationships. Studies also reveal that Conduct Disorder is among the most common conditions diagnosed in emotional health settings.

The symptoms: Does this describe your child?

Mild symptoms can easily allow you to miss the signs of Conduct Disorder. In fact, children and adolescents with this condition may be perceived as courageous and confident – perhaps by not being afraid often or being very independent. However, not recognizing early symptoms can cause them to get worse.

Individuals with Conduct Disorder often bully, threaten, or intimidate others, initiate physical fights, may use weapons, can be physically cruel to people and/or animals, may steal things while confronting their victim, or even force someone into sexual activity. They may deliberately destroy others’ property, to include setting fires. They may break into homes, lie, or steal things. They often disregard rules, run away, and/or skip school without concern of consequences.

Tracing the Roots: What may lead to Conduct Disorder?

The definite cause of Conduct Disorder isn’t clear, but it is widely held that it can be triggered by several factors – genetic, biological, behavioral, social, and environmental. If conduct disorder “runs in the family,” your child could be at a higher risk. If there is an imbalance or injury in the part of the brain that regulates emotions, impulses, and behaviors, they can be more susceptible to the condition.

Emotional and behavioral conditions, such as “deficits in cognitive processing,” may also bring about Conduct Disorder. Young people who have low self-esteem and/or poor self-image can also be at risk. In addition, those exposed to physical abuse, dysfunctional family life, substance abuse in the family, and other disturbing experiences, may also be at greater danger in developing Conduct Disorder.

What does the Conduct Disorder research say about it?

  • It has genetic and environmental components. There are also other factors that can contribute to its development. This means that if your child is genetically predisposed, providing a nurturing environment and professional interventions can significantly delay the onset of Conduct Disorder.
  • It can develop along with other emotional and behavioral disorders. Among these conditions are mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It may similarly co-occur with substance abuse.
  • The impact of the Conduct Disorder can be curbed. Children and adolescents with Conduct Disorder can grow up to become socially adjusted, healthy adults. If a child has difficulties in processing social cues and information, they can be helped by therapy.
  • There are very promising treatment methods and approaches to help your child. Use of medications can help, but it isn’t always necessary. Scientific studies show that early or prompt treatment using structured and intensive interventions can address the multiple contexts of the conduct disorder. Some of these treatments include cognitive behavioral approaches, family therapy, and multisystemic therapy.

Why are assessment and treatment imperative?

Proper assessment of your child’s symptoms may be a necessary step for successful treatment to take place. The treatment for conduct disorder generally requires the involvement of the relatives living with the child, involving those close to your child can help to improve outcomes.

To arrive at an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate and individualized treatment plan for your child, your honest input is critical. This is because your child’s therapist must understand the social and environmental context in which your child’s behavior occurs. The treatment program is usually designed to help your child navigate the challenges of their developmental milestones with the goal of successfully adapting to adulthood.

What can you do to help your child?

Learning the basic facts about conduct disorder can be necessary for all parents or guardians. Its value can’t be underestimated, particularly when their child is showing difficulty in following rules or behaving in a socially acceptable or appropriate manner. Remember that conduct disorder is a serious emotional condition that requires professional attention. Diagnosis is something that a qualified child therapist is trained to do. Get in touch with Carolina Counseling Services in Cameron, NC and be matched with one of our experienced independently contracted counselors.

CCS will be happy to help you understand Conduct Disorder better. They can also discuss and explore the treatment options available for Conduct Disorder with you. You can work together and construct an individualized treatment program for your child. Call Carolina Counseling Services – Cameron, NC today to schedule your first appointment.

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