Conduct Disorder (Child)

A conduct disorder is a pattern of disturbing behavior. It happens often and can last over some time. It's outside of normal childhood behavior. Conduct disorder is not just disobedience and disrespect, like children often show. Children and teens with this condition have a lot of trouble following rules. This condition is considered a mental illness.

Symptoms of conduct disorder include:

• Bullying, threatening, or intimidating others.
• Picking fights
• Using weapons to hurt others.
• Being cruel to people or to animals.
• Stealing.
• Deliberately destroying property (for example, smashing windows).
• Setting fires with the intent to cause serious damage.
• Breaking into other people's property.
• Lying.
• Staying out at night despite parental rules.
• Running away from home.
• Often skipping school.

It's important that your child or teen have a psychiatric evaluation to develop a plan for treatment. Early treatment offers the best chance. And there are effective treatments. The goal is to address anger and bring about a change in attitude and behavior. Parents can also benefit from therapy. It can help you with your own feelings. It can also teach you how to best support your child.

Here is what you can do at home:

• Work closely with your child's teachers and the school's mental health staff. Develop a team (teacher, principal, psychologist, mental health provider, social worker, or nurse) to help both your child and your family manage your child's behaviors.
• Listen without giving advice or trying to fix the problem.
• Talk about the difference between right and wrong behaviors. Try to model appropriate behavior.
• Focus on important issues like safety concerns. Try not to overreact to minor things.
• Hold your ground. When you take a position, don't give in just to be a friend. Holding a strong and consistent boundary is more important than pleasing during this stage of your child's life.
• Acknowledge your child's anger without trying to make a point. Try, "Sounds like you're really angry about that." Try to realize that there are some things that you won't ever agree on. Allow for that.
• Help your child practice a healthy lifestyle to reduce challenging behaviors. Regular physical activity, healthy eating, and good sleep habits may help.
• Consider joining a family support group. Connecting with other parents facing similar challenges can reduce stress and help you learn new strategies. Ask your child's doctor about local parent support groups.

Follow up with your child's doctor or as advised. Stay in good communication with your child's school. You can then make changes in treatment as soon as needed.

If your child is at immediate risk of harming themself or others, get help right away. You can:

• Call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Go online to chat.988lifeline.org to start a chat.
• Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers or having this website in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information.

For support and information about community resources, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at 1-800-950-6264 or text NAMI to 62640.

Contact your child's doctor right away if:

• There are signs that you know or suspect your child has become a danger to themself or others (teeth marks, head injuries, or bruises on the child with the behavior issue, their siblings, or other children).
• Your child attacks you or other adults.
• Your child is cruel to animals.
• Your child is expelled from school.
• Your child is being barred from playgrounds by other parents or neighbors.