A Conduct Disorder is a pattern of defiant behavior, drug or alcohol abuse, impulsive behavior or trouble with the law. These types of behaviors are habitual. Conduct Disorders tend to be more prevalent in males and often associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Learning Disabilities (LD).
ADHD and Conduct Disorders have a high risk of alcohol addiction/dependence or other substance addiction.
Conduct Disorders can also lead to Depression or Bipolar Disorder.
Symptoms of Conduct Disorder:
- Breaking rules without obvious reason
- Impulsive behavior
- Running away
- Aggressive behavior toward people or animals
- Lack of empathy
- Failure to attend school (truancy — beginning before age 13)
- Alcohol abuse
- Drug abuse
- Destruction of property
- Intentionally setting fires
- Lying to get what they want
- Shoplifting
- Vandalizing or destroying property on purpose
- Regularly gets in trouble
- Belligerent
- Bullying
- Threatening behavior
- Has mood swings
- Cruel to animals
- Overly aggressive
- Stealing
- Initiates fights
- Hard to control
- Stays out late at night
- Threatens others with a weapon (stick, board, rock, brick, etc.)
- Low level of fear
- Hyperactivity
- Belligerent
- Not concerned about others’ feelings
- Alcohol dependence
- Drug addiction
- Difficulty making friends
- Forced sexual activity
- Inappropriate social interactions
- Lashing out at others
- Repetitive acting out
These types of persistent aggressive behaviors cannot be ignored.
Contact Triumph Youth Services for more information on how they can help and what treatment is available.
Reference:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001917/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conduct_disorder
