You may have a child who has recently been diagnosed with conduct disorder or you may have been diagnosed with conduct disorder as a child or teenager. The name can sound intimidating, but also vague. What exactly does conduct disorder mean? Is it a mental illness, or is it tied to mental illnesses in any way?
In this blog, we will demystify conduct disorder and how it pertains to mental illness.
What Is a Conduct Disorder?
Conduct disorder is a condition affecting children and adolescents characterized by violent or destructive behavior, as well as a lack of adherence to basic rules and societal norms. Adults can be diagnosed with conduct disorder, but it is typically an issue for adolescents. Some symptoms of conduct disorder include:
- Aggression towards people or animals
- Destruction of property
- Frequent lying
- Violent outbursts
- Stealing
- Flagrant violation of rules
Is Conduct Disorder a Mental Illness?
Conduct disorder is considered a behavioral disorder. However, it can overlap with a series of personality disorders, often which are diagnosed in adults. Personality disorders are a category of mental health disorders that impact the mood, behavior, patterns of thought, and relationships to other people. Adolescents who are diagnosed with conduct disorders are often diagnosed with personality disorders later in life.
Mental Illnesses That Can Impact Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder has a few comorbidities with other mental illnesses. Some of the symptoms of conduct disorder can be exacerbated by these mental illnesses or vice versa. These mental illnesses can also inform the conduct disorder. They include:
- Depression
- ADHD
- Learning disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Other mood or personality disorders
Trauma and abuse can also impact a conduct disorder, as well as traumatic brain injuries.
Treatments For Conduct Disorder
The treatment for conduct disorders is very similar to treatment for mental illnesses: primarily therapy and medication.
Therapy For Conduct Disorder
The most common treatment for conduct disorder is therapy. Through therapy, you or your child can work with a therapist to develop healthy coping strategies that are not destructive to yourself or others. Some therapies that are used to treat conduct disorder include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is very effective for conduct disorder, because it takes the behavior back to the negative thought pattern that informs it. CBT aims to change the negative thought pattern, reframing it, and thus changing the behavior.
- Family Therapy. In family therapy, your entire family sits down with a therapist or counselor in order to improve your relationships and the ways you interact with each other. Often, conduct disorder can come back to dysfunction within the family. Family therapy works to heal this rift, thereby healing the conduct disorder.
- Group Therapy. Group therapy pairs you with a group of others in your age group or with similar experiences, so that you can all learn interpersonal skills and better habits together.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). Interpersonal therapy focuses on improving your interpersonal skills, such as learning how to regulate your emotions or cope with unpleasant situations.
- Anger Management Counseling. Anger management counseling helps you develop coping strategies to manage your anger without lashing out at those around you.
Medication For Conduct Disorder
Medications are rarely used for conduct disorder itself. However, a psychiatrist may prescribe medications for comorbidities of conduct disorder, such as depression, ADHD, and so on. By managing the symptoms of these conditions, the symptoms of the conduct disorder will hopefully be reduced, as well.
Conduct disorder can be disruptive to your everyday life and relationships, and it can intensify some of its comorbidities. Fortunately, Rivia Mind can help. Our skilled and compassionate clinicians are experienced with conduct disorder and ready to help you. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
