Conduct disorder is an ongoing pattern of behaviour marked by emotional and behavioural problems. Ways in which Children with conduct disorder behave are Angry, Aggressive, Argumentative, and Disruptive ways.  It is a diagnosable mental health condition that is characterized by patterns of violating Societal norms and Rights of others It's estimated that around 3% of school-aged children have conduct disorder and require professional treatment . It is more common in boys than in girls.

1. Conduct Disorder
Ref-Psychology Today
Compiled by Col Mukteshwar Prasad(Retd),
MTech(IITD),CE(I),FIE(I),FIETE,FISLE,FInstOD,AMCSI
Contact -9007224278, e-mail – muktesh_prasad@yahoo.co.in
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2. Introduction
Conduct disorder is an ongoing pattern of behaviour marked by emotional and
behavioural problems.
 Ways in which Children with conduct disorder behave are
Angry,
Aggressive,
Argumentative, and
Disruptive ways.
 It is a diagnosable mental health condition that is characterized by patterns of violating
 Societal norms and
 Rights of others
 It's estimated that around 3% of school-aged children have conduct disorder and require professional treatment .
 It is more common in boys than in girls.

3. Symptoms
Conduct disorder extends beyond normal teenage rebellion.
It involves serious behaviour problems that are likely to raise alarm among teachers,
parents, peers, and other adults.
Children must exhibit at least three of these symptoms in the past year and at least
one in the past six months for Conduct Disorder
 Aggression Toward People and Animals
 Bullying, threatening, or intimidating others
 Initiating physical fights
 Using a weapon that could cause serious harm
 Physical cruelty to people
 Physical cruelty to animals
 Stealing while confronting a victim
 Forced sexual activity

4. Symptoms…..
Property Destruction
Deliberate fire setting
Other destruction of property
 Deceptiveness or Theft
 Breaking or entering a house, car, or building
 Lying for personal gain
 Stealing without confronting the victim (such as shoplifting)
 Serious Rule Violation
 Staying out at night before the age of 13 years
 Running away from home overnight at least twice
 Truancy beginning before the age of 13

5.  IMPACT
 Conduct disorder impairs a child's ability to function and may affect his life:
 Education:
Misbehave affects their education
Usually receive frequent disciplinary action from teachers and may skip school.
May be at a higher risk of failure or dropping out of school.
 Legal issues:
Adolescents with conduct disorder are also more likely to have
Legal problems and disregard for law
Substance abuse,
Violent behaviour
 Relationships:
Struggle to develop and maintain friendships.
Strained relationships with family members due to the severity of their behaviour.
 Sex: -They may also engage in risky sexual behaviour.
 Diagnosis
 Psychological testing and other assessment tools may also be used to evaluate the child.

6.  CAUSES-A variety of biological, psychological, and social factors are likely involved few of them are :
Brain abnormalities: Some abnormalities in certain areas of the brain
Pre-frontal cortex (which affects judgment) and
Limbic system (which affects emotional responses)
Cognitive deficits:
 Low IQ,
 Poor verbal skills, and
 Impairment in executive functioning
Genetics: Inherited genes may be responsible for about half of anti-social behaviour
Social issues:
 Poverty,
 Disorganized neighbourhoods,
 Poor schools,
 Family breakdown,
 Parental mental illness,
 Harsh parenting, and
 Inadequate supervision

7.  Oppositional Defiant Disorder as a Precursor-Some children with oppositional defiant disorder (behaviour
disorder that involves a pattern of angry or irritable mood, argumentativeness and defiance, and
vindictiveness)go on to develop conduct disorder. Without effective treatment, oppositional defiant disorder may
progress into conduct disorder as a child ages.
 Common Comorbid Conditions
 Many children with conduct disorder have other mental health issues or cognitive impairments like:
 ADHD
 Self-harm
 Substance misuse
 Depression and anxiety
 Posttraumatic stress disorder
 Learning disability
 Children with conduct disorder may be more likely to develop antisocial personality disorder later in life.

8.  Types
Childhood-onset indicates that the symptoms started before the age of 10.
Adolescent-onset indicates that the signs of the condition began during a child's teens.
Unspecified-onset indicates the age exact age that the symptoms first began is not clear.
 May also be with/without "limited prosocial emotions." Limited prosocial emotions are characterized by
 Callousness and a lack of remorse and empathy.
 Unconcerned about their performance at school or work and have shallow emotions.
 When present, their emotional expressions may be used to manipulate others.

9.  Treatment – Depending on factors like age and the severity of behaviour problems , common
treatment methods include:
 Family therapy: Sometimes, improving the relationship between parents and a child may improve
family interactions.
 Medication: Sometimes doctors may prescribe medication to treat the disorder's symptoms or to
address other underlying mental illness.
 Parent training: Parents may be taught behaviour management strategies and techniques to
increase safety in the home if a child is aggressive or violent.
 Psychotherapy: Individual therapy may be helpful when a child could benefit from learning new
skills, such as anger management and impulse control.
 Residential placement: In cases where a child or adolescent's behaviour has become out of control,
treatment in a residential program may be necessary to keep everyone safe.
 Early intervention is key to getting the most effective treatment

10.  Coping
 Research suggests that taking part in psychosocial treatments can help both children and families cope with the
effects of conduct disorder. This may include such things as:
 Creating structure
 Enforcing limits
 Providing clear instructions
 Rewarding positive behaviours
 Using time-outs after inappropriate behaviours or outbursts
 The ultimate goal of such training is to help parents and children interact more effectively. This can lead to less conflict and
help children better regulate their behaviour.
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