When you decided to have a child, you had hoped that they would become witty, well-mannered, and kind-hearted kids. Unfortunately, they’re turning out to be the exact opposite.
They constantly fight with their siblings and bully other kids at the park. And no matter how much time you spend counseling them, their behavior hasn’t changed.
If your child has been exhibiting bad behavior for an unusually long period, science shows that it could be an underlying mental condition known as conduct disorder. This post highlights the most important things you need to know about this illness.
What Is Conduct Disorder?
This is an example of a behavioral disorder, characterized by antisocial character. Children suffering from this illness seem to relish engaging in wrong and hurting others. They are mean, violent, and disregard other people’s emotions.
One might argue that all kids engage in some form of bullying or aggression at some point in their lives. This is completely true. But in the case of conduct disorder, these symptoms persist for a very long time and they barely improve.
Symptoms of conduct disorder fall under one of these four categories:
- Aggressive conduct – the child bullies, intimidates, and acts violently towards his/her peers. They may also treat animals and pets maliciously.
- Deceit – the victim expresses deceit in various forms; from telling simple lies to stealing and shoplifting.
- Destructive conduct – in extreme cases, the child might commit serious crimes like arson and vandalism.
- Rule breaker – the child enjoys breaking rules. For instance, they might skip school, run away occasionally, do mischief, and engage in sexual activity at an early age.
Risk Factors of Conduct Disorder
There are a couple of things, which increase a child’s risk of suffering from this condition.
- Having parents who suffered from conduct disorder when they were kids
- Being raised in a dysfunctional setting that has no structure or supervision
- Exposure to domestic violence at an early age
- Living in poor social and economic environments
- Getting diagnosed with other psychological illnesses
How Is Conduct Disorder Treated?
If your child has been diagnosed with conduct disorder, the physician may recommend several treatment options. These include:
- Family therapy – this type of therapy enables families to work together as a whole. The parents are taught how to handle their kids when they engage in bad behavior They also learn how to create a conducive environment that fosters healthy growth and development.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy – the goal of this treatment is to help your child relearn good behavior. They’ll be trained on how to solve issues amicably, communicate, and manage stressful situations.
- Peer group therapy – this particular therapy is designed to help your child learn social skills and interpersonal skills. They’ll learn how to treat others kindly and politely while also being compassionate to themselves.
- Medications – in cases where the child is living with another mental disorder, medications can be administered to manage symptoms.
Wrap Up
If your child has been exhibiting bad behavior for the longest time possible, don’t simply assume that they’re troubled. Their mischief and deceitful behavior could be coming from more deep-rooted problems like conduct disorder. You’ll need to consult a health professional for a detailed examination.
If they get diagnosed with conduct disorder, enable them to access the right treatment. This could be in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, and peer therapy. “Train up a child in the way that he should go; when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
