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A conduct disorder involves a repetitive pattern of behavior that violates the basic rights of others.

• Children with a conduct disorder are selfish and insensitive to the feelings of others and may bully, damage property, lie, or steal without guilt.
• Doctors base the diagnosis on the history of the child's behavior.
• Separating children from a troubled environment and providing a strictly structured setting, as in a mental health facility, may be the most effective treatment.

Although some children are better behaved than others, children who repeatedly and persistently violate rules and the rights of others in ways inappropriate for their age have a conduct disorder. Conduct disorder usually begins during late childhood or early adolescence and is more common among boys than girls.

Heredity and the environment probably influence the development of a conduct disorder. Children often have parents who have a mental health disorder, such as substance abuse, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, a mood disorder, schizophrenia, or antisocial personality disorder. However, affected children may come from healthy families that function well.

Symptoms

In general, children with a conduct disorder are selfish, do not relate well to others, and lack an appropriate sense of guilt. They are insensitive to the feelings and well-being of others. They tend to misperceive the behavior of others as threatening and react aggressively. They may engage in bullying, threatening, and frequent fights and may be cruel to animals. Some children damage property, especially by setting fires. They may lie or steal.

The disorder affects boys and girls differently. Girls are less likely to be physically aggressive. Instead, girls typically run away, lie, abuse substances, and sometimes engage in prostitution. Boys tend to fight, steal, and vandalize.

Seriously violating rules is common and includes running away from home and frequently being truant from school. Children are likely to use and abuse illicit drugs and have difficulties in school. Suicidal thoughts may occur and must be taken seriously

About half the children stop the inappropriate behaviors by adulthood. The younger a child is when conduct disorder began, the more likely the behavior is to continue. If the behavior continues into adulthood, people often encounter legal trouble, chronically violate the rights of others, and are often diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder (see Personality Disorders: Cluster B: Dramatic or Erratic Behavior). Some of these adults develop mood, anxiety, or other mental health disorders.

Diagnosis

Doctors base the diagnosis on the child's behavior. The symptoms or behavior must be troubling enough to impair functioning in relationships, at school, or at work.

The social environment is also considered. If misconduct develops as an adaptation to a very stressful environment (such as a war-torn area or area of civil unrest), it is not considered a conduct disorder.

Treatment

Treatment is very difficult because children with conduct disorder rarely perceive anything wrong with their behavior. Often, the most successful treatment is to separate children from the troubled environment and to provide a strictly structured setting, as in a mental health or a juvenile justice facility.

Certain drugs may be somewhat effective, especially if certain disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or depression, coexist. Treatment of such disorders can help lessen the symptoms of conduct disorder.

Last full review/revision February 2009 by Hugh F. Johnston, MD