We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Symptoms of Conduct Disorder in Children?

By Lily Ruha
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,611
Share

The symptoms of conduct disorder in children include a wide range of behavioral and emotional problems. Violent behaviors, temper tantrums and destructive actions are common among children with conduct disorder. An unwillingness to follow the rules, compulsive lying, truancy and early substance abuse are other behaviors associated with the disorder. Conduct disorder in children often involves a consistent inability to get along with others, as evidenced by continual fighting or bullying.

Conduct disorder in children manifests itself in aggressive behaviors. A child with this disorder is often mean to other children, adults, and animals. Common behaviors include threatening, name calling, bullying, and forcing others to do things against their will. A child with conduct disorder might inflict harm on others using physical force or weapons. The actions are usually impulsive and with no regard for the feelings of others.

Disruptive behaviors are a common symptom of conduct disorder in children. Whereas some children may be disruptive at home but more conscious of their surroundings at school or in public, children with conduct disorder are disruptive in most, if not all, environments. They might constantly interrupt their parents at home, start a fight in a classroom, or knock over items and shoplift in a grocery store. Their behaviors typically disrupt the flow of group activities in all environments.

Children with conduct disorder have a general unwillingness to follow the rules. They might bring weapons to school, curse in the classroom, lie compulsively to avoid consequences, skip school, or run away. Drinking alcohol or abusing substances at a young age is also often associated with conduct disorder in children. Sexual promiscuity at a young age is also a common symptom.

Highly destructive behavior is a typical symptom of conduct disorder. Setting things on fire, purposely breaking things and causing irreversible damage to other people’s property are common behaviors. The child with conduct disorder usually feels no remorse or guilt for the damage he has caused to other people’s possessions.

Conduct disorder in children is also evidenced by both a poor relationship with peers and a general inability to get along with others. The child’s constant irritability generally pushes other children away. A tendency to start fights and bully others makes it difficult for the child to sustain meaningful relationships with others. Children with conduct disorder commonly suffer from low self-esteem.

There is a high probability that children with conduct disorder will suffer socially, and can also potentially develop more serious problems in adulthood. Failing in school, being arrested, getting sexually transmitted diseases, and causing physical injury to themselves are all possible outcomes for a child with this disorder. Early diagnosis of the disorder by a medical professional can lead to effective treatments through psychotherapy and, in some cases, medication. Paying close attention to the child at home and creating a supportive yet disciplined environment are also important factors for improving the child’s condition.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-symptoms-of-conduct-disorder-in-children.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.