Conduct disorder is a behavioral and emotional disorder in children and teens characterized by disruptive and violent behavior as well as problems following rules. It is categorized based on when symptoms first appear - childhood onset before age 10, adolescent onset during teenage years, or unspecified onset. Symptoms include aggressive behavior toward others or animals, deceitfulness like lying and stealing, destructive behavior such as arson, and violating rules by skipping school or substance abuse. Conduct disorder is caused by genetic and biological factors as well as psychosocial influences like child abuse, family dysfunction, or poverty. Those at highest risk are males, those living in poverty or urban areas, and those with a family history of mental illness or conduct disorder. Treatment involves medication, psychotherapy,

1. Conduct disorder
BY
Ms Neha Bhatt
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2. Conduct Disorder
• Conduct disorder is a serious behavioural and
emotional disorder that can occur in children
and teens. A child with this disorder may
display a pattern of disruptive and violent
behavior and have problems following rules.
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3. Types of Conduct Disorder
1. Childhood onset occurs
when the signs of
conduct disorder
appear before age 10.
2. Unspecified onset
means the age at which
conduct disorder first
occurs is unknown
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Conduct disorder are categorized according to the age at
which symptoms of the disorder first occur:
3. Adolescent onset occurs when
the signs of conduct disorder
appear during the teenage years.

4. Symptoms of Conduct Disorder
Aggressive Conduct
• intimidating or bullying others
• physically harming people or
animals on purpose
• committing rape
• using a weapon
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5. Symptoms of Conduct Disorder
Deceitful Behavior
• Deceitful behavior may include:
• lying
• breaking and entering
• stealing
• forgery
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6. Symptoms of Conduct Disorder
• Destructive Behavior
• Destructive conduct may include arson and
other intentional destruction of property
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7. Symptoms of Conduct Disorder
Violation of Rules
• Violation of rules may include:
• skipping school
• running away from home
• drug and alcohol use
• sexual behavior at a very young
age
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8. What Causes Conduct Disorder?
• Genetic Factors
• Organic factors - brain
damage
• Biochemical factors
• Psychosocial Factors
• child abuse
• a dysfunctional family
• parents who abuse
drugs or alcohol
• Poverty
• Parental rejection
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9. Who Is at Risk for Conduct Disorder?
• Being male
• Living in an urban
environment or poverty
• Having A family history
of conduct disorder or
mental illness
• Having other psychiatric
disorders
• Drugs abuse or alcohol
• Dysfunctional home
environment
• Having a history of
experiencing traumatic
events
• Being abused or
neglected
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10. Diagnosis
• Complete history
• Educational history ( to determine cognitive
deficit , learning disabilities or problems in
intellectual functioning )
• Neurological examination
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11. Treatment Modalities
 Drugs may include –
• anticonvulsants
• Lithium
• Antipsychotics
 Psychotherapy
 Guidance and counseling
 Social skill training –
• Role playing
• Modelling
• Shaping of
behaviour
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12. Nursing Management
• Allot sufficient staff and provide close
supervision to the child.
• Observe the child for anger cues , encouraging
activities and aggressive behaviour.
• Set limit on manipulative behaviour and
identify the consequences of manipulative
behaviour.
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13. Nursing Management
• Provide immediate feedback for positive
behaviour.
• Encourage the child to maintain the activity
log book and make daily entry of activities in
his own way . Later on analyse the activity
which provide insight to the child about
activity and responses.
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