Conduct Disorders

All kids misbehave some times. And some may have temporary behavior problems due to stress. For example, the birth of a sibling, a divorce, or a death in the family may cause a child to act out. Conduct disorders are more serious. They involve a pattern of hostile, aggressive, or disruptive behaviors for more than 6 months. The behavior is also not appropriate for the child's age.

Symptoms Of Conduct Disorders

  • Frequent refusal to obey parents or other authority figures
  • Repeated truancy
  • Tendency to use drugs, including cigarettes and alcohol, at a very early age
  • Lack of empathy for others
  • Being aggressive to animals and other people or showing sadistic behaviours including bullying and physical or sexual abuse
  • Keenness to start physical fights
  • Using weapons in physical fights
  • Frequent lying
  • Criminal behaviour such as stealing, deliberately lighting fires, breaking into houses and vandalism
  • A tendency to run away from home
  • Suicidal tendencies – although these are more rare.
"The struggle you're in today is developing the
strength you need for tomorrow. Don't give up."

- Unknown

Helpful Resources For Conduct Disorders

American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry. AACAP provides concise up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Cincinnati Children’s, a nonprofit academic medical center established in 1883, is one of the oldest and most distinguished pediatric hospitals in the United States.
The Humane Society. The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest and most effective animal protection organization.