Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a persistent pattern of behaviour that violates other people’s rights or major age-appropriate social rules. It is not diagnosed from one fight, one episode of lying, or a young person’s general dislike of authority. DSM-5 criteria require at least 3 of 15 specified behaviours during a 12-month period, with at least 1 behaviour occurring in the preceding 6 months. The pattern must also cause clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning. The behaviours fall into four clinically useful clusters: - aggression toward people or animals - destruction of property - deceitfulness or theft - serious violations of rules Assessment considers development, culture, social context, frequency, severity, intent, consequences, and whether the behaviour occurs across settings. A persistent pattern matters more than an isolated act. Repeated serious aggression or cruelty requires careful risk assessment rather than a stigmatizing label. Conduct disorder does not have one single cause. Individual, family, and social factors can contribute, including impulsivity, low school achievement, abuse, parental conflict, parental mental illness or substance misuse, and social disadvantage. These factors may increase vulnerability,...