Conduct disorder is a mental illness that can occur in children and adolescents, characterized by destructive behaviors towards self and others. Treatment is necessary and may involve long-term therapy and involvement from parents. The disorder may be present with other mental illnesses and can lead to serious consequences without early intervention.
In children and adolescents, one mental illness that can occur is conduct disorder. This condition, which tends to occur more frequently in boys, is characterized by a variety of behaviors that are destructive to self and others. Children with this disease have big problems at home and at school because they can act out in different harmful ways on a regular basis. This disorder is considered a true mental illness and, as such, mental health treatment represents the best means of cure; cure is entirely possible, especially when treatment starts early and children who receive help can behave normally as adults.
There are several types of behaviors symptomatic of conduct disorder, but it should be noted that an incidence of bad behavior does not necessarily indicate this disease. Rather, repeated acts are likely. These acts could include assaults on people or animals, acts of violence against property such as starting fires or other damage, disrespect for house or school rules that are significant, and evidence of lying or deception intentional ones that occur regularly.
Children could develop this disorder in early childhood or it could emerge in the teen years and researchers have found that it is often present with other conditions. It could occur in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, PTSD, and other mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. Clearly there are greater problems with two conditions occurring together, but one condition is not thought to cause the other, and in many cases children have one of these related disorders without having conduct disorders.
Once the conduct disorder is recognised, and it can be difficult to miss due to the severity of the behavior problems, initiating treatment is extremely important. This is not a treatment that can be skillfully addressed through drug therapy alone, although drugs may be part of the solution. Therapy of a long-term nature is also usually needed, and can be undertaken on multiple levels. Parents will need to be involved in some of the treatment process in order for them to work successfully with a child with the condition, and the affected child or adolescent will also require individual therapy.
Because this mental illness poses a potential risk to peers, its presence in the educational setting may need to be addressed. Children with this condition may be considered special education children and may attend alternative schools where better controls are in place to protect the child and his or her classmates. Homeschooling is another option, and as your child’s behavior improves, it might be recommended that they return to regular classes.
The causes of this condition are not fully understood or explained, but scientists believe they have identified some potential causative factors. Some studies have evaluated the brain function of children with conduct disorder and the areas of the brain most associated with the expression of empathy appear to be less active. This can result in disregard for the consequences of the actions or feelings of others, making it easier to act aggressively in a variety of ways. It should be noted that this does not necessarily mean that therapy will not work to treat this condition, but the depth, length, and early initiation of surgery tend to equate to greater success.
Without treatment, the outlook can be extremely bleak for children with conduct disorder. Some can develop as adults into sociopaths or psychopaths. It is therefore extremely important that early intervention occurs.
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