OVERVIEW

Conduct disorder is the term used to describe a complicated group of behavioral and emotional problems marked by rule breaking, aggressive behaviour, and an inability to comply with social norms.  It is a significant mental health problem for children and adolescents, and is considered by many to be the single best predictor of risk for adult conduct disorder, as well as a wide array of other negative health and social outcomes.  These include injuries and violence, poor school performance and dropout, substance abuse, depression, suicide and unemployment.

Children or adolescents with conduct disorder may exhibit some of the following behaviors:

• cruelty to animals
• bullying
• vandalism
• truancy
• lying or stealing
• running away from home
• disobedience at school

Treatment of children with conduct disorder can be complex and challenging.  Establishing new attitudes and behaviour patterns takes time; yet studies show that between 40% and 50% of families who begin treatment drop out prematurely, and the great majority of children who enter outpatient treatment attend only one or two sessions.