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Children's
Mental Health
Conduct Disorders
What
are Conduct Disorders?
Conduct disorders are a complicated group of behavioral and emotional
problems in young people. Children and adolescents with these disorders
have great difficulty following rules and behaving in a socially acceptable
manner. They are often viewed as "bad" or delinquent, rather than mentally
ill.
Warning Signs of Conduct Disorders
Children may:
- lie.
- steal.
- destroy property.
- misbehave sexually.
- express their anger
inappropriately.
- often break rules
or laws.
- show physical and
verbal aggressive behavior with other children and/or to adults.
Possible Causes
of Conduct Disorders
Many factors may lead to a child developing conduct disorders, including
brain damage, child abuse, defects in mental and/or emotional age-development,
school failure, and negative family and/or school experiences. The child's
"bad" behavior causes a negative reaction from others, which causes the
child to behave even worse.
Importance of Early
Detection and Treatment
According to research, the future of children with conduct disorders tends
to be very unsettled if they and their families do not receive early,
ongoing and comprehensive treatment. Without treatment, these young people
often are unable to adapt to the demands of adulthood and continue to
have problems with relationships and employment. They generally break
laws or behave antisocially.
Treatment
Treatment is difficult because the causes of the illness are complex and
each situation is unique. Also the child's uncooperative attitude, fear,
and distrust of adults adds to the challenge.
After examining the child, a child and adolescent psychiatrist uses information from other medical specialists, as well as from the child’s family and teachers to understand the causes of the disorder and to determine a treatment plan.
Behavior therapy and psychotherapy are usually necessary to help the child appropriately express and control anger. Remedial education may also be needed if learning disabilities are present. Treatment may also include medication in some children; such as, those with difficulty paying attention and controlling movement or those who have an associated depression.
Treatment is normally long-term since establishing new attitudes and behavior patterns take time. Parents also may need expert assistance in handling special management and educational programs both at home and in school. However, treatment gives a good chance for considerable improvement in present behavior and hope for a successful future.
Compiled from: The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fact Sheet No. 33 (10/92)
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This publication is
generously supported by a grant from the William H. Donner Foundation
and Eli Lilly and Company.
Copyright 1996
