| What is conduct disorder (CD)? | | | | that interferes with their ability to plan, avoid harm, and |
| Conduct disorder is a behavior disorder, sometimes | | | | learn from negative experiences. Childhood |
| diagnosed in childhood, that is characterized by | | | | temperament is considered to have a genetic basis. |
| antisocial behaviors which violate the rights of others | | | | Children or adolescents who are considered to have a |
| and age-appropriate social standards and rules. | | | | difficult temperament are more likely to develop |
| Antisocial behaviors may include irresponsibility, | | | | behavior problems. Children or adolescents from |
| delinquent behaviors (such as truancy or running | | | | disadvantaged, dysfunctional, and disorganized home |
| away), violating the rights of others (such as theft), and | | | | environments are more likely to develop conduct |
| or physical aggression toward others (such as assault | | | | disorders. Social problems and peer group rejection |
| or rape). These behaviors sometimes occur together, | | | | have been found to contribute to delinquency. Low |
| however, one or several may occur without the | | | | socioeconomic status has been associated with |
| other(s). | | | | conduct disorders. Children and adolescents exhibiting |
| What causes conduct disorder? | | | | delinquent and aggressive behaviors have distinctive |
| The conditions that contribute to the development of | | | | cognitive and psychological profiles when compared to |
| conduct disorder are considered to be multifactorial, | | | | children with other Mental Health Disorders problems |
| with many factors (multifactorial) contributing to the | | | | and control groups. All of the possible contributing |
| cause. Neuropsychological testing has shown that | | | | factors influence how children and adolescents interact |
| children and adolescents with conduct disorders seem | | | | with other people. |
| to have an impairment in the frontal lobe of the brain | | | | |