Conduct Disorder - MH

Question 1

Conduct Disorder-Diagnostic Criteria

Answer 1

A. Presence of 3 or more in the past 12 mos WITH at least 1 in the past 6 mos:

1. Aggression to people & animals
2. Destruction of property
3. Deceitfulness or theft
4. Serious violations of rules

B. Disturbance causes SIGNIFICANT impairment (social, academic, or occupational)

C. In individuals > 18 yrs old that do NOT meet the diagnostic criteria for Antisocial Personality Disorder

*Approx. 1/3rd go on to develop Antisocial Personality Disorder

Question 2

Conduct Disorder-Subtypes

Answer 2

Childhood-Onset Type:
-at least 1 criteria prior to age 10

Adolescent-Onset Type:
-absence of any criteria prior to 10 yrs old

Unspecified-Onset Type:
-unknown age at onset

Question 3

Conduct Disorder-Severity

Answer 3

• Mild: minimal conduct problems AND causing only minor harm
• Moderate: number of conduct problems AND causing intermediate harm
• Severe: many conduct problems OR causing significant harm

Childhood onset->most aggressive, early onset best predictor of poor outcome

Adolescent onset->less aggressive and more likely to outgrow their disorder

Question 4

Conduct Disorder-Controversies

Answer 4

Controversies surrounding diagnosis:

• Mental disorder?
• Lack of individual responsibility?
• Societal problem?
• Bias toward males w/confrontational behaviors?
• Relationship to substance abuse?

Question 5

Conduct Disorder-Related conditions

ODD

Answer 5

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD):

• +/-milder variant of Conduct Disorder
• affects younger individuals
• some children go on to develop Conduct Disorder, others do not

Common sxs/behaviors:

• hostile, defiant, disobedient
• argumentative w/authority
• deliberately annoys or blames others
• angry, resentful, vindictive

Question 6

Conduct Disorder-Related conditions - antisocial personality

Answer 6

• Must be evidence of Conduct Disorder before age 15 yrs old (precursor)
• Age of at least 18 yrs old
• Pattern and disruptive behaviors otherwise similar to Conduct Disorder

Question 7

Conduct Disorder: Tx Options

Answer 7

• Early intervention is crucial
• Combination treatment is most effective
• Medications to help with underlying comorbidities (depression, anxiety, bipolar, ADHD etc.)
• Individual and family therapy
• Social skills training
• School-based programs
• Treatment often required for years to help promote productive members of society