CONDUCT DISORDERS

Conduct Disorders

Conduct Disorders

Definition of Conduct Disorder

Conduct problems have probably been the topic of more academic and popular press writings than any other issue at adolescence. (Santrock, 2008). They have long been recognized as problematic and a source of distress to parents. In 1817, Jane Austen wrote: “the Musgraves had the ill fortune of a very troublesome, hopeless son and the good fortune to lose him before he reached his twentieth year … he was stupid and unmanageable … (and was) scarcely at all regretted”. (Eisenberg, N. 2005)

Identifying the Signs

Likely everybody has heard about or knows a teenager or young adult who has experienced trouble with the law or who has been expelled from school or perhaps even threatened someone at school, sometimes with a weapon. (Lahey, B.B., & Waldman, I.D. 2003) People know these teens have problems, but they may not know these behaviors can be symptoms of a very real psychiatric illness affecting approximately 9 percent of all boys and 2 percent of all girls under the age of 18 in the United States. Rebellion- is open opposition to authority or tradition. Usually the word rebellion implies disobedience when there should be obedience. The ancient French word for rebel is 'rebelle,' which means "to wage war again." (Decety, J., & Meyer, M. 2008)

These symptoms describe what is commonly called a "conduct disorder," or "Oppositional Defiant Disorder," which is a behavioral problem characterized by uncontrolled anger, rebellion, resistance to discipline and a pattern of violating the rights of others and the laws set by society. Conduct disorders like ODD are becoming more common these days for both girls and guys, so gaining insight into these types of disruptive behaviors might be lifesaving to a teen in your life. (Eisenberg, N. 2005)

What Causes Conduct Disorder?

There is no definitive answer to this question just yet. Research indicates a variety of factors that influence the development of the condition. These range from genetic and biological, brain related factors to social-economic factors. It is known that about 30-50% of people diagnoses with the condition also have rather severe ADHD. Factors such as being reared in an institution, being fostered to numerous families, harsh and severe parental discipline, living in socially disadvantaged and violent communities all play a role in the development of the problem. (Blair, R.J.R. 2005)

Children and teenagers with CD often have co-existing conditions such as ADHD, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Mood Disorders, anxiety, substance abuse, or learning difficulties). For these reasons a comprehensive assessment is always important. If co-existing conditions are discovered they must all be treated effectively and this makes successful outcomes even more problematic. (Raine, A., Venables, P., & Mednick, S. 1997)

Treatment

Treatment is terribly problematic because of the complexity of the problem. A contributing factor in the difficulty in treating the condition is the child or teen's deep-seated distrust of adults. This distrust causes them to be less than truthful and forthcoming about their behaviours, thoughts and moods. Typically these children and teens are uncooperative with treatment and ...