BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuConduct disorderDisruptive behavior - child; Impulse control problem - childConduct disorder is a set of ongoing emotional and behavioral problems that occurs in children and teens. Problems may involve defiant or impulsive behavior, drug use, or criminal activity. Causes Conduct disorder has been linked to:Child abuse Child abuseChild physical abuse is a serious problem. Here are some facts:Most children are abused at home or by someone they know. They often love this perso...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Drug or alcohol use in the parents DrugSubstance use is the continued use of alcohol, illegal drugs, or the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medicines with negative consequences....Read Article Now Book Mark Article AlcoholAlcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to f...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Family conflicts Gene disorders PovertyThe diagnosis is more common among boys.It is hard to know how many children have the disorder. This is because many of the qualities for diagnosis, such as "defiance" and "rule breaking," are hard to define. For a diagnosis of conduct disorder, the behavior must be much more extreme than is socially acceptable.Conduct disorder is often linked to attention-deficit disorder. Conduct disorder also can be an early sign of depression or bipolar disorder.Attention-deficit disorderAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a problem caused by the presence of one or more of these findings:Not being able to focusBeing ove...Read Article Now Book Mark Article DepressionDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bipolar disorderBipolar disorder is a mental condition in which a person has wide or extreme swings in their mood. Periods of feeling sad and depressed may alternat...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Children with conduct disorder tend to be impulsive, hard to control, and not concerned about the feelings of other people.Symptoms may include:Breaking rules without clear reason Cruel or aggressive behavior toward people or animals (for example: bullying, fighting, using dangerous weapons, forcing sexual activity, and stealing) Not going to school (truancy, beginning before age 13) Heavy drinking or drug use Intentionally setting fires Lying to get a favor or avoid things they have to do Running away Vandalizing or destroying propertyThese children often make no effort to hide their aggressive behaviors. They may have a hard time making real friends. Exams and Tests There is no real test for diagnosing conduct disorder. The diagnosis is made when a child or teen has a history of conduct disorder behaviors.A physical examination and blood tests can help rule out medical conditions that are similar to conduct disorder. In rare cases, a brain scan helps check for other disorders. Treatment For treatment to be successful, it must be started early. The child's family also needs to be involved. Parents can learn techniques to help manage their child's problem behavior. In cases of abuse, the child may need to be removed from the family and placed in a less chaotic home. Treatment with medicines or talk therapy may be used for depression and attention-deficit disorder.Many "behavioral modification" schools, "wilderness programs," and "boot camps" are sold to parents as solutions for conduct disorder. There is no research to support these programs. Research does suggest that treating children at home, along with their families, is more effective.Children who are diagnosed and treated early usually overcome their behavioral problems. Outlook (Prognosis) Children who have severe or frequent symptoms and who are not able to complete treatment tend to have the poorest outlook. Possible Complications Children with conduct disorder may go on to develop personality disorders as adults, particularly antisocial personality disorder. As their behaviors worsen, these individuals may also develop problems with drug abuse and the law.Antisocial personality disorderAntisocial personality disorder is a mental condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Depression and bipolar disorder may develop in the teen years and early adulthood. Suicide and violence toward others are also possible complications. When to Contact a Medical Professional See a health care provider if your child:Regularly gets in trouble Has mood swings Is bullying others or cruel to animals Is being victimized Seems to be overly aggressive Early treatment may help.If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or about hurting others, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night.You can also call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room. DO NOT delay.If someone you know has attempted suicide, call 911 or the local emergency number right away. DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help.Always take suicide attempts and threats seriously. Prevention The sooner treatment is started, the more likely the child will learn adaptive behaviors and avoid potential complications.Open ReferencesReferencesAmerican Psychiatric Association. Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.Walter HJ, DeMaso DR. Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 42.Weissman AR, Gould CM, Sanders KM. Impulse-control disorders. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 23.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Child physical abuse(Condition)Antisocial personality disorder(Condition) Review Date: 2/10/2023 Reviewed By: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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Conduct disorderDisruptive behavior - child; Impulse control problem - childConduct disorder is a set of ongoing emotional and behavioral problems that occurs in children and teens. Problems may involve defiant or impulsive behavior, drug use, or criminal activity. Causes Conduct disorder has been linked to:Child abuse Child abuseChild physical abuse is a serious problem. Here are some facts:Most children are abused at home or by someone they know. They often love this perso...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Drug or alcohol use in the parents DrugSubstance use is the continued use of alcohol, illegal drugs, or the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medicines with negative consequences....Read Article Now Book Mark Article AlcoholAlcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to f...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Family conflicts Gene disorders PovertyThe diagnosis is more common among boys.It is hard to know how many children have the disorder. This is because many of the qualities for diagnosis, such as "defiance" and "rule breaking," are hard to define. For a diagnosis of conduct disorder, the behavior must be much more extreme than is socially acceptable.Conduct disorder is often linked to attention-deficit disorder. Conduct disorder also can be an early sign of depression or bipolar disorder.Attention-deficit disorderAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a problem caused by the presence of one or more of these findings:Not being able to focusBeing ove...Read Article Now Book Mark Article DepressionDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bipolar disorderBipolar disorder is a mental condition in which a person has wide or extreme swings in their mood. Periods of feeling sad and depressed may alternat...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Children with conduct disorder tend to be impulsive, hard to control, and not concerned about the feelings of other people.Symptoms may include:Breaking rules without clear reason Cruel or aggressive behavior toward people or animals (for example: bullying, fighting, using dangerous weapons, forcing sexual activity, and stealing) Not going to school (truancy, beginning before age 13) Heavy drinking or drug use Intentionally setting fires Lying to get a favor or avoid things they have to do Running away Vandalizing or destroying propertyThese children often make no effort to hide their aggressive behaviors. They may have a hard time making real friends. Exams and Tests There is no real test for diagnosing conduct disorder. The diagnosis is made when a child or teen has a history of conduct disorder behaviors.A physical examination and blood tests can help rule out medical conditions that are similar to conduct disorder. In rare cases, a brain scan helps check for other disorders. Treatment For treatment to be successful, it must be started early. The child's family also needs to be involved. Parents can learn techniques to help manage their child's problem behavior. In cases of abuse, the child may need to be removed from the family and placed in a less chaotic home. Treatment with medicines or talk therapy may be used for depression and attention-deficit disorder.Many "behavioral modification" schools, "wilderness programs," and "boot camps" are sold to parents as solutions for conduct disorder. There is no research to support these programs. Research does suggest that treating children at home, along with their families, is more effective.Children who are diagnosed and treated early usually overcome their behavioral problems. Outlook (Prognosis) Children who have severe or frequent symptoms and who are not able to complete treatment tend to have the poorest outlook. Possible Complications Children with conduct disorder may go on to develop personality disorders as adults, particularly antisocial personality disorder. As their behaviors worsen, these individuals may also develop problems with drug abuse and the law.Antisocial personality disorderAntisocial personality disorder is a mental condition in which a person has a long-term pattern of manipulating, exploiting, or violating the rights ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Depression and bipolar disorder may develop in the teen years and early adulthood. Suicide and violence toward others are also possible complications. When to Contact a Medical Professional See a health care provider if your child:Regularly gets in trouble Has mood swings Is bullying others or cruel to animals Is being victimized Seems to be overly aggressive Early treatment may help.If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or about hurting others, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night.You can also call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room. DO NOT delay.If someone you know has attempted suicide, call 911 or the local emergency number right away. DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help.Always take suicide attempts and threats seriously. Prevention The sooner treatment is started, the more likely the child will learn adaptive behaviors and avoid potential complications.Open ReferencesReferencesAmerican Psychiatric Association. Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.Walter HJ, DeMaso DR. Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 42.Weissman AR, Gould CM, Sanders KM. Impulse-control disorders. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 23.