conduct disorder

Conduct Disorder

What Is Conduct Disorder?

A Conduct Disorder is basically when a child is constantly bad or naughty. They might be aggressive, violent, nasty, defiant, or all of these.

The key word here is constantly. It's not enough that the child has been, on occassions, bad or naughty. Let's face it, most children are like this at times. They must have been persistently bad or naughty for quite a period of time.

It's also not enough that only the parents find them like this, it must be an accepted fact observed by other people as well (e.g. teachers).

How Common Is Conduct Disorder?

It seems to vary both between countries and within in them. However, it has been estimated at between 1 in 33 and 1 in 17 children. It is much more common in boys rather than girls.

It is also more common in broken homes, care homes, or in deprived areas.

What Causes Conduct Disorder?

Like many disorders, the experts argue amongst themselves about whether it has something to do with a childs' genetics (i.e. they are born with it) or how they are brought up (i.e. social factors like parenting and school).

In reality, each childs' case should be judged on it's own merits. Sometimes it seems obvious that social factors play the biggest role, and sometimes the reverse. The probable cause of the condition should never be suggested until all the facts are known about the childs' past (both social and genetic (i.e. does it run in the family?)).

Can It be Treated?

Yes it can.

Milder forms of Conduct Disorder often disappear with perhaps only counselling and practical support being offered to the parents.

More severe cases often require social worker involvement, family therapy, group therapy, or behaviour therapy.

2 in 3 children with Conduct Disorder continue to have problems that continue well into adult life. The following are signs that the child may well continue to have problems:

Having many different symptoms
Continuing problems at home
Problems getting on with the rest of the community
Having an aggressive attitude
Being rebellious and against most forms of authority

Some People suggest that having a conduct disorder makes it more likely that a child will go on to develop a personality disorder as an adult.

We are creating a SimplePsych factsheet on Conduct Disorder which goes into more detail while still using easy to understand English. If you would be interested at this service being offered to you please let us know by emailing us Click Here

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