Learn More About Conduct Disorder

Diagnostic Criteria

A. A repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated, as manifested by the presence of three (or more) of the following criteria in the past 12 months, with at least one criterion present in the past 6 months:

Aggression to people and animals

• often bullies, threatens, or intimidates others
• often initiates physical fights
• has used a weapon that can cause serious physical harm to others (e.g., abat, brick, broken bottle, knife, gun)
• has been physically cruel to people
• has been physically cruel to animals
• has stolen while confronting a victim (e.g., mugging, purse snatching, extortion, armed robbery)
• has forced someone into sexual activity

Destruction of property

• has deliberately engaged in fire setting with the intention of causing serious damage
• has deliberately destroyed others' property (other than by fire setting)

Deceitfulness or theft

• has broken into someone else's house, building, or car
• often lies to obtain goods or favors or to avoid obligations (i.e., "cons" others)
• has stolen items of nontrivial value without confronting a victim (e.g., shoplifting, but without breaking and entering; forgery)

Serious violations of rules

• often stays out at night despite parental prohibitions, beginning before age 13 years
• has run away from home overnight at least twice while living in parental or parental surrogate home (or once without returning for a lengthy period)
• is often truant from school, beginning before age 13 years

B. The disturbance in behavior causes clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.

C. If the individual is age 18 years or older, criteria are not met for Antisocial Personality Disorder.

Specify type based on age at onset:

• Childhood-Onset Type: onset of at least one criterion characteristic of Conduct Disorder prior to age 10 years
• Adolescent-Onset Type: absence of any criteria characteristic of Conduct Disorder prior to age 10 years

Specify severity:

• Mild: few if any conduct problems in excess of those required to make the diagnosis and conduct problems cause only minor harm to others
• Moderate: number of conduct problems and effect on others intermediate between "mild" and "severe"
• Severe: many conduct problems in excess of those required to make the diagnosis or conduct problems cause considerable harm to others

Conduct disorder is identified by serious behavior that often includes dangerous activities, the destruction of property, breaking the law, or hurting people or animals. At least 3 incidences of this type of behavior need to have happened in the last year to qualify.

The exact cause of conduct disorder is not known, but has strong roots in environment, biology, and the psychological upbringing and well being of the individual. It is suggested to develop a healthy relationship with a therapist to uncover possible reasons if you are struggling with conduct disorder.

The following are a list of possible factors that cause conduct disorder:

• Dysfunctional family life
• Childhood abuse
• Traumatic experiences
• Family history of substance abuse
• Family history of mood disorders
• Inconsistent discipline
• Lack of empathy, guilt, and remorse
• Cognitive processing deficits
• Low socioeconomic status
• Lack of peer acceptance

• Psychotherapy
• Medication from your primary care physician can help to control symptoms of conduct disorder but are not considered a cure.
• For best results, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is recommended.
• Self Help (Try Our Self Help Program)
• Working with Our Coaches