Conduct disorder is a mental health condition characterized by ongoing patterns of aggressive and disruptive behaviors in children, affecting approximately 3% of school-aged youth, more prevalent in boys. Symptoms include aggression, bullying, property destruction, and serious rule violations, often leading to negative impacts on education, legal issues, and social relationships. Treatment involves a range of approaches such as therapy, medication, and family interventions, with an emphasis on early intervention for better outcomes.

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
for book ”Decoding Services Selection Board” and SSB ON line guidance and training
at Shivnandani Edu and Defence Academy

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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