Identifying a Conduct Disorder in Children

The Introduction to Psychology, 6th Edition, (Rod Plotnik), describes a conduct disorder as a persistent pattern of negative and aggressive behavior. All children break the rules on occasion, but a child with a conduct disorder is constantly in trouble. It may seem that he or she enjoys throwing everything into turmoil.

While boys are diagnosed with conduct disorders more often than girls, there are two general types of conduct disorders described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM_IV. The childhood onset type, which occurs before the age of 10, and the adolescent onset type that occurs after the age of 10.

In order to make a positive diagnosis of either type of conduct disorder, the troublesome behavior has to have been present for at least a year.

The DSM-IV has a very specific list of criteria for the diagnosis of a conduct disorder in your child. If you suspect that your child has a conduct disorder, it is very important to consult a mental health professional. It is not advised to treat the problem without psychiatric guidance.

Children with conduct disorders may show aggression towards people or animals. These children are often seen as bullies, and have trouble making or keeping friends.

The child that you suspect has a conduct disorder is often and openly defiant. He or she will instigate arguments with authority figures.

These children often initiate violent physical encounters, exhibit physical cruelty to people or animals, and may show signs of sexual aggression.

It is common for children with conduct disorders to engage in arson and destruction of property, and then blaming others for their infractions.

Children with conduct disorders will put great effort into annoying other people, and are very often deceitful.

The child may steal, at times breaking into homes or automobiles. Children with conduct disorders often shoplift, or steal from family.

Eventually, the child with a conduct disorder may break curfew, skip school, or run away from home.

The Introduction to Psychology also uses 9 specific cases of children with conduct disorders assaulting and even committing murder. In some of these cases, the child with a conduct disorder shot classmates and teachers. In other cases, the violence was directed at family members. In the case of Kipland Kinkle, 15, of Springfield, Oregon, Kinkle killed his parents and two other students. Twenty two other students were also injured during his rampage.

Violence is a major theme of this disorder, and the safety of your family should come first. If you suspect that your child has a conduct disorder, avoid leaving him alone with other children, elderly adults, and pets.

A mental health care professional may indicate that hospitalization for the purpose of observation is necessary. While you, the parent, may have to deal with feelings of guilt over "sending him/her away", if your child's therapists recommends inpatient treatment, I advise you to go along with this course of action.

At times, medications are prescribed to help treat conduct disorders in children. Ritalin, Lithium, Wellbutrin, and Prozac are commonly prescribed to children with conduct disorders, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Any side effects should be discussed with the prescribing physician prior to administering the medications.

Family therapy and behavior modification therapy are also commonly used in the treatment of conduct disorders. Whatever treatment plan is recommended by your child's therapist, it is important that you reinforce that treatment at home. Maintain the medication schedule, make sure your child attends appointments, and if necessary, obtain therapy for yourself and other family members. Support groups may be a valuable resource for families dealing with a child with a conduct disorder.

A child with a conduct disorder can cause many problems in a family. In addition to the acts of defiance, your other children may suffer the affects of living with this child. While the child with the conduct disorder seemingly enjoys and seeks out turmoil, siblings may feel left out or neglected. It is important to maintain communication with all of your children, and to address any issues that they may have.