Individuals with Conduct Disorder may have a great deal of difficulty controlling their behavior according to socially accepted norms. They may act out a great deal in socially unacceptable ways and even break the law or hurt others.

Often, kids with conduct disorders get labeled as bad. However, compassion and recognizing their condition can help set a child with these issues on a course of healing through therapy.

Typically, most individuals diagnosed with conduct disorder will be younger, not yet adults. Given that some individuals affected by conduct disorder will go on to develop antisocial personality disorder later in life, it is essential to recognize and help children and teens that demonstrate the acute behavioral symptoms of a conduct disorder.

Contact us today online or by phone at 615-499-6899 to set up an appointment.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) are prevalent among children and adolescents. These disorders, classified as “Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders” in the DSM 5, are characterized by issues with self-control, aggression, and conflicts with social norms. Those with conduct disorder frequently display either an inability or they lack the motivation to control the expression of anger and other destructive behaviors/emotions. These disorders often coexist with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

ODD is diagnosed based on three criteria:

• An angry or irritable mood
• Argumentative or defiant behavior
• Vindictiveness

Conversely, CD is diagnosed based on:

• Aggression towards people and animals
• Property destruction
• Deceitfulness or theft
• Serious violations of rules

Both disorders involve issues with impulse control, albeit in different ways. The behavior of someone diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder suggests that they despise being controlled, which is also the case for someone diagnosed with conduct disorder. However, someone with conduct disorder responds to that feeling by trying to control others, whether consciously or subconsciously.

Contact us today online or by phone at 615-499-6899 to set up an appointment.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) are prevalent among children and adolescents. These disorders, classified as “Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders” in the DSM 5, are characterized by issues with self-control, aggression, and conflicts with social norms. Those with conduct disorder frequently display either an inability or they lack the motivation to control the expression of anger and other destructive behaviors/emotions. These disorders often coexist with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

ODD is diagnosed based on three criteria:

• An angry or irritable mood
• Argumentative or defiant behavior
• Vindictiveness

Conversely, CD is diagnosed based on:

• Aggression towards people and animals
• Property destruction
• Deceitfulness or theft
• Serious violations of rules

Both disorders involve issues with impulse control, albeit in different ways. The behavior of someone diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder suggests that they despise being controlled, which is also the case for someone diagnosed with conduct disorder. However, someone with conduct disorder responds to that feeling by trying to control others, whether consciously or subconsciously.

Contact us today online or by phone at 615-499-6899 to set up an appointment.

Conduct disorder can have early onset before age 10 but commonly develops in adolescence, anywhere between the ages of 10 to 19 years old. This condition is more common in children assigned male at birth than children assigned female at birth. Conduct disorder affects between 2% and 10% of children and adolescents in the United States.​

Teens with conduct disorder may move into more severe behaviors than those displayed by children. While children with conduct disorder have a hard time following rules and behaving in a socially acceptable way, teens with conduct disorder display behaviors such as bullying, hurting animals, picking fights, theft, vandalism, and arson. While occasional rebellious behavior is expected during childhood and adolescence, the signs that lead to a conduct disorder diagnosis demonstrate a disruptive and repetitive pattern.​

Contact us today online or by phone at 615-499-6899 to set up an appointment.

The characteristic behaviors of conduct disorder develop gradually over time. Children with this disorder tend to be impulsive, challenging to manage, and lacking empathy toward the feelings of others.

Core behaviors associated with conduct disorder:

• Violating others’ fundamental rights
• Aggression toward people and animals
• Deceiving, lying, and stealing
• Destruction of property
• Serious violations of rules

Aggressive behavior toward others can include:

• Bullying
• Physical violence (potentially with a weapon)
• Verbal fights
• Threatening
• Forcing sexual activity
• Blaming others for their behavior
• Hurting animals

Destruction of property:

• Intentionally setting fires
• Vandalizing or destroying others’ property

Deceiving, lying, and stealing:

• Lying to get a favor or to avoid responsibilities
• Stealing from individual people or stores
• Breaking into houses or businesses

Violations of rules:

• Breaking the rules without an apparent reason
• Not going to school
• Running away from home
• Frequently breaking the rules set by parents

Other common signs:

• Heavy alcohol or substance usage
• Engaging in frequent and risky sex
• Becoming easily frustrated
• Making no effort to hide aggressive behaviors
• Not showing remorse for actions
• Difficulty making and maintaining friendships

Contact us today online or by phone at 615-499-6899 to get started with treatment.

The characteristic behaviors of conduct disorder develop gradually over time. Children with this disorder tend to be impulsive, challenging to manage, and lacking empathy toward the feelings of others.

Core behaviors associated with conduct disorder:

• Violating others’ fundamental rights
• Aggression toward people and animals
• Deceiving, lying, and stealing
• Destruction of property
• Serious violations of rules

Aggressive behavior toward others can include:

• Bullying
• Physical violence (potentially with a weapon)
• Verbal fights
• Threatening
• Forcing sexual activity
• Blaming others for their behavior
• Hurting animals

Destruction of property:

• Intentionally setting fires
• Vandalizing or destroying others’ property

Deceiving, lying, and stealing:

• Lying to get a favor or to avoid responsibilities
• Stealing from individual people or stores
• Breaking into houses or businesses

Violations of rules:

• Breaking the rules without an apparent reason
• Not going to school
• Running away from home
• Frequently breaking the rules set by parents

Other common signs:

• Heavy alcohol or substance use
• Engaging in frequent and risky sex
• Becoming easily frustrated
• Making no effort to hide aggressive behaviors
• Not showing remorse for actions
• Difficulty making and maintaining friendships

Contact us today online or by phone at 615-499-6899 to get started with treatment.

Is your child or teen struggling with Conduct Disorder? At On Your Mind Counseling, we help both parents and children with conduct disorder, including individual counseling for parents feeling a little overwhelmed. Let us work with you to help create the best plan for your child while providing you with the support and feedback you need.

Reach out to On Your Mind Counseling, located in both Tennessee and Nevada – we are here to help.

Contact us today online or by phone at 615-499-6899 to set up an appointment.