The primary diagnostic features of conduct disorder include aggression, theft, vandalism, violations of rules and/or lying. For a diagnosis, these behaviors must occur for at least a six-month period.
The essential features of conduct disorder are a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior through which the basic rights of others and major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated.
Four general categories of symptoms of conduct disorder:
1.Aggressive behavior
2.Destructive behavior
3.Deceitful behavior
4.Violation of rules
Conduct disorder has a multifactorial etiology that includes biologic, psychosocial and familial factors.
There are three subtypes:
*conduct disorder confined to the family context,
*unsocialized conduct disorder, where the young person has no friends and is rejected by peers), and
*socialized conduct disorder (where peer relationships are normal).
Conduct Disorder
