What is Conduct Disorder?

Children and adolescents with this disorder have great difficulty following rules and behaving in a socially acceptable way. They are often viewed by others as "bad" or delinquent, rather than mentally ill.

Symptoms:

Aggression to people and animals
bullies, threatens or intimidates others
often initiates physical fights
has used a weapon that could cause serious physical harm to others (e.g. a bat, brick, broken bottle, knife or gun)
is physically cruel to people or animals
steals from a victim while confronting them (e.g. assault)
forces someone into sexual activity

Destruction of Property
deliberately engaged in fire setting with the intention to cause damage
deliberately destroys other's property

Deceitfulness, lying, or stealing
has broken into someone else's building, house, or car
lies to obtain goods, or favors or to avoid obligations
steals items without confronting a victim (e.g. shoplifting, but without breaking and entering)

Serious violations of rules
often stays out at night despite parental objections
runs away from home
often truant from school

Children who exhibit these behaviors should receive a comprehensive evaluation. Without treatment they are unable to adapt to the demands of adulthood such as relationships and holding a job. They often break laws or behave in an antisocial manner.