Conduct Disorder

Fast Facts: Conduct Disorder

  • Effective treatment for Conduct Disorder can take time since new attitudes and behaviors need to be cultivated. Early treatment, therefore, improves the chances of giving the child a successful future.
  • Conduct Disorder often has company: ADHD, mood disorders, learning disabilities, anxiety or substance abuse. All can be treated.
  • Boys are more likely to have Conduct Disorder than girls. Studies show that between 6% and 16% of boys have some degree of Conduct Disorder while between 2% to 9% of girls experience it.

What is it?

Conduct Disorder is a behavior pattern with children and adolescents where they violate the basic social rules and the rights of other people. Individuals with this disorder have trouble with rules and frequently behave in socially unacceptable ways.

What causes it?

There appears to be a genetic correlation between adults who experienced conduct problems when they were young and their own children having conduct disorder. Another factor could also be environmental, as children who have experienced rejection, abuse, or traumatic experiences may also be more prone to the disorder. Further research on causes is underway.

How do you know when someone has it?

Some symptoms of a Conduct Disorder are as follows:

  • Cruelty to people
  • Cruelty to animals
  • Stealing
  • Running away
  • Lying
  • Fire-setting
  • Skipping school
  • Breaking and entering
  • Property destruction
  • Forcing sexual activity on others
  • The use of weapons in fights
  • Frequent physical fights
  • Alcohol or drug usage
  • Cheating
  • Manipulating
  • Physically or verbally bullying
  • Intimidating others
  • Outbursts
  • Impairment in social, school or occupational functioning
  • Violating curfews
  • Rule breaking

What can happen to people with a Conduct Disorder?

Adolescents with more severe Conduct Disorder (characterized by hospitalization or day treatment) that do not receive early and appropriate treatment are more likely to have relationship and occupational problems in adulthood. They may engage in illegal or criminal activity or exhibit other antisocial behaviors. These behaviors include chemical dependency, school failure, unwanted pregnancies, injuries, or suicidal tendencies. More mild forms do tend to improve with time. With proper treatment, reasonable adjustment to normal life can usually be expected.

How do you help a loved one suffering from a Conduct Disorder?

Therapy is usually provided individually, in a group setting, and/or with the family. The objective of therapy is to help the child express and control anger, accept rules, and acquire social skills. Parents are counseled on limit setting and having consistent rules, educated about the disorder, and are taught other skills required for successful support of the disorder. In more severe cases, residential or day treatment may be combined with medications.

How CERTS helps those with a Conduct Disorder

In most cases, CERTS programs will NOT accept a client who truly manifests Conduct Disorder.  However, as with all behavioral health diagnoses, there are degrees of acuity.  The CERTS therapeutic approach is ideal for the person struggling with Anger Management issues and with Oppositional Defiant Disorder.  In some cases, a diagnosis of Conduct Disorder is nothing more than an advanced state of one of those and can be successfully managed in one of our programs.  To help understand what will and won't work in your situation, please call us at 1-888-406-5968.

Learn More About Conduct Disorders

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
New York Presbyterian Hospital
National Mental Health Association

National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs Intermountain Therapy Animals Northwest Accreditation Commission U.S. Department of Homeland Security Certified Education Recreational and Therapeutic Schools (CERTS)