Blogging From A-Z: C is for Conduct Disorder

Taken from American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry

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"Conduct disorder" refers to a group of behavioral and emotional problems in youngsters. Children and adolescents with this disorder have great difficulty following rules and behaving in a socially acceptable way. They are often viewed by other children, adults and social agencies as "bad" or delinquent, rather than mentally ill. Many factors may contribute to a child developing conduct disorder, including brain damage, child abuse or neglect, genetic vulnerability, school failure, and traumatic life experiences.

Children or adolescents with conduct disorder may exhibit some of the following behaviors:

Aggression to people and animals

• bullies, threatens or intimidates others
• often initiates physical fights
• has used a weapon that could cause serious physical harm to others (e.g. a bat, brick, broken bottle, knife or gun)
• is physically cruel to people or animals
• steals from a victim while confronting them (e.g. assault)
• forces someone into sexual activity

Destruction of Property

• deliberately engaged in fire setting with the intention to cause damage
• deliberately destroys other's property

Deceitfulness, lying, or stealing

• has broken into someone else's building, house, or car
• lies to obtain goods, or favors or to avoid obligations
• steals items without confronting a victim (e.g. shoplifting, but without breaking and entering)

Serious violations of rules

• often stays out at night despite parental objections
• runs away from home
• often truant from school

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Children who exhibit these behaviors should receive a comprehensive evaluation by an experience mental health professional. Many children with a conduct disorder may have coexisting conditions such as mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, ADHD, learning problems, or thought disorders which can also be treated. Research shows that youngsters with conduct disorder are likely to have ongoing problems if they and their families do not receive early and comprehensive treatment. Without treatment, many youngsters with conduct disorder are unable to adapt to the demands of adulthood and continue to have problems with relationships and holding a job. They often break laws or behave in an antisocial manner.

I love Batman. Not to the point where I can name dates and issue numbers of where characters had appeared or changed or anything. But I love Batman. Reading through this, I can’t help but wonder if Joker matched this as a child.

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I also, as a former Certified Corrections Officer, can’t help but wonder how many men and women had just this in their childhood.

Keep in mind, this is a childhood only thing. As those affected by Conduct Disorder grow into adult hood, it either fades or grows worse into other disorders. The symptoms are quite obvious, even though it may be pushed off onto “boys will be boys” or “he’s just acting out.” However, through reading this, I can tell that many of the juveniles that spent time in the very adult jail I worked at very well could have this. Most of them had broken homes, or suffered while at home. Its tragic, truly.

I’ve seen it suggested that Charlie Sheen, Mel Gibson, and even Napoleon had Conduct Disorder, but have not found evidence of this on any credible site. It would make sense, however, were this to be true, considering how they continued to behave as adults. I could find no instances of characters written with Conduct Disorder, which is truly sad in many ways. With all the books out in the world, one would think there would be at least one or two featuring a character troubled with Conduct Disorder.

Perhaps it is because ADHD and ADD are so often tied in with Conduct Disorder, as well as PTSD and history of abuse. Whatever the cause, it should not be too difficult to create a character and storyline that would feature the struggles a child or teen would face. Trouble with the law would surely be a key point, as would low grades in school and a noticeable lack of true friendships outside of a gang. Even within the gang there would be a constant need to break the rules, as a child with Conduct Disorder would surely shrug off anyone’s authority over them.

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Should you be brave enough to take the task on, I strongly suggest doing a bit more research. There is a wealth of information on the symptoms and treatment of Conduct Disorder; such information would be valuable in forming a plot around a character with this diagnosis. Perhaps if there were books out with a main character dealing with Conduct Disorder, it would bring this to light further, and perhaps help someone seek help for a child before it is too late for them. Who knows?

Disclaimer: I am not a therapist. I have not taken any classes, nor do I have a degree. I am writing this from my standpoint based on my personal experiences and research. I beg of you, if you think you or your child may have Conduct Disorder, speak with a doctor immediately.

No matter what, suicide is not an option. If you are thinking of harming yourself, seek help. Talk to a doctor, go to the ER, or even call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1 (800) 273-8255