Conduct disorder: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Conduct disorder is a psychological disorder that can be diagnosed in childhood in which the child presents selfish, violent and manipulative attitudes that can directly interfere with their performance at school and their relationships with family and friends, in addition to the possibility of problems with the authorities.

Conduct disorder can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on the person’s type of action, and it is important that the diagnosis is made by a psychologist or psychiatrist so that the most appropriate treatment can be initiated, which may involve therapy and / or use of medications.

Although the diagnosis is more frequent in childhood or adolescence, conduct disorder can also be identified from the age of 18, becoming known as Antisocial Personality Disorder, in which the person acts with indifference and frequently violates the rights of others. people. Know how to identify antisocial personality disorder.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms indicative of this psychological disorder are:

• Lack of empathy and concern for others;
• Rebellion and defiant behavior;
• Frequent manipulation and lies;
• Frequent blaming of other people;
• Low tolerance for frustration, frequently presenting bouts of irritability;
• Aggressiveness;
• Threatening behavior, which may start fights, for example;
• Frequent running away from home;
• Theft and/or robberies;
• Destruction of property and vandalism;
• Cruel attitudes towards animals or people.

As these behaviors deviate from what is expected for the child, it is important that the child is taken to a psychologist or psychiatrist as soon as they present any suggestive behavior. In this way, it is possible to evaluate the child’s behavior and make a differential diagnosis for other psychological disorders or disorders related to the child’s development.

Possible causes

The exact cause of conduct disorder is not completely known, however, it appears to result from a combination of multiple factors, which include:

1. Genetics

Conduct disorder can be caused by hereditary genetic factors, being more common to occur in children and adolescents whose parents have conduct disorder or some type of mood disorder, anxiety or personality disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or excessive alcohol consumption, for example.

2. Environmental factors

Some environmental factors, such as a lack of family structure, conflicts between parents, lack of discipline, physical or verbal aggression, domestic violence or a family history of substance abuse, can lead to poor judgment and an inability to plan and solve problems, contributing to the development of conduct disorder.

Furthermore, low socioeconomic status can lead to economic and social stress for parents and a lack of adequate parenting, which can also contribute to the development of conduct disorder.

3. Biological factors

Some studies ^(1,2) have demonstrated that injuries, damage or changes in electrical activity in the frontal lobe of the brain, which is the region that regulates cognitive abilities, such as problem solving, memory and emotions, can contribute to aggressiveness and the development of conduct disorder.

Furthermore, other health conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disorders, depression or anxiety disorders, in addition to the use of drugs of abuse, for example, seem to increase the risk of developing the disorder. conduct.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment must be based on the behaviors presented by the child, their intensity and frequency and must be done mainly through therapy, in which the psychologist or psychiatrist evaluates the behaviors and tries to identify the cause and understand the motivation. In some cases, the psychiatrist may recommend the use of some medications, such as mood stabilizers, antidepressants and antipsychotics, which allow self-control and improvement of the conduct disorder.

When a conduct disorder is considered serious, in which the person represents a risk to other people, it is recommended that they be referred to a treatment center so that their behavior can be worked on appropriately and, thus, the disorder can be improved.