Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is a psychological disease affecting approximately 2%-16% of children and teens in the United States (WebMD 2009). Although researchers have found links related to genetics, biology, and environment, the exact cause of conduct disorder is unknown (Leaver, 2003). If left untreated conduct disorder can progress into much more severe mental disorders, as the child grows into adulthood (WebMD 2009). Without knowing the exact cause or reasons why conduct disorder happens, it makes it much more difficult to treat suffering patients. However, with new research about treatment and prevention techniques may the success rate of children suffering with conduct disorder may increase, allowing for these children to become successful adults.
Conduct disorder is described, by WebMD experts (2009), as “a serious behavioral and emotional disorder that can occur in children and teens. A child with this disorder may display a pattern of disruptive and violent behavior and have problems following rules” (para. 1). These children often display behaviors associated with aggression, destruction, or deceit. Frequent activities from a child with conduct disorder may include bullying, fighting, destruction of property, lying, stealing, and vandalism. Diagnosed children may also have a difficult time consenting to the rules of society (WebMD, 2009).
As a preschooler, he throws temper tantrums and defies his parents, and is described by his teachers as oppositional and defiant. He becomes the child who initiates fights with his peers, lies and steals. Later, he vandalizes school property, tortures animals and sets fires. As an adolescent, he forces sex on acquaintances and is truant. As an adult he is likely to abuse his partner and his children (Brotman & Gouley, 2006).
This on going behavior can cause a disruption in not only the daily life of the suffering child, but also in the lives of the parents, siblings, relatives, school staff, and anyone who is
Conduct disorder is described, by WebMD experts (2009), as “a serious behavioral and emotional disorder that can occur in children and teens. A child with this disorder may display a pattern of disruptive and violent behavior and have problems following rules” (para. 1). These children often display behaviors associated with aggression, destruction, or deceit. Frequent activities from a child with conduct disorder may include bullying, fighting, destruction of property, lying, stealing, and vandalism. Diagnosed children may also have a difficult time consenting to the rules of society (WebMD, 2009).
As a preschooler, he throws temper tantrums and defies his parents, and is described by his teachers as oppositional and defiant. He becomes the child who initiates fights with his peers, lies and steals. Later, he vandalizes school property, tortures animals and sets fires. As an adolescent, he forces sex on acquaintances and is truant. As an adult he is likely to abuse his partner and his children (Brotman & Gouley, 2006).
This on going behavior can cause a disruption in not only the daily life of the suffering child, but also in the lives of the parents, siblings, relatives, school staff, and anyone who is
References: American academy of child & adolescent psychiatry. (2004). Conduct disorder. Retrieved from http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/conduct_disorder American academy of child & adolescent psychiatry. (2009). Your child – conduct disorders. Retrieved from http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/publication_store/your_child_conduct_disorders Brotman, L, Gouley, K. (2006). Conduct problems in young children: risk factors and prevention. Child study center letter. 10(4), 1-6. Brown, S, Myers, M, & Stewart, D. (1998). Progression from conduct disorder to antisocial personality disorder following treatment for adolescent substance abuse. The American journal of psychiatry. 155(4), 479-485. Retrieved March 26, 2010, from The American journal of psychiatry database. Leaver, J. (2003). Conduct disorder. In Harris, M, & Thackerey, E. (Ed.), The gale encyclopedia of mental disorders. (Vol. 1, pp. 237-240). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved March, 14, 2010, from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?&id=GALE%7CCX3405700098&v=2.1&u=apollo&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w Lipman, E, Offord, D, & Waddell, C. (1999). Conduct disorder: practice parameters for assessment, treatment, and prevention. Canadian journal of psychiatry. 44(2), 35S-40S. Retrieved March 14, 2010, from Medline database. Mental health america. (2010). Factsheet: conduct disorder. Retrieved from http://www.nmha.org/go/conduct-disorder WebMD. (2009). Mental health and conduct disorder. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-conduct-disorde