Question 1

What is conduct disorder?

Accepted Answer

Conduct disorder (CD) is a childhood and adolescent psychiatric condition characterised by persistent patterns of behaviour that violate age-appropriate social norms, the rights of others, or rules — including aggression toward people or animals, property destruction, deceitfulness or theft, and serious rule violations. It affects approximately 5% of children and is more common in males. CD exists on a spectrum from childhood-onset (more severe, with worse prognosis) to adolescent-onset. It is closely associated with ADHD, learning difficulties, trauma, and adverse family environments.

Question 2

What causes conduct disorder?

Accepted Answer

Conduct disorder has multiple contributing factors. Neurobiological factors include reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex (affecting impulse control) and altered amygdala responsiveness (affecting empathy and fear learning). Genetic factors play a role — CD is heritable. Environmental factors are often central: adversity, trauma, inconsistent or harsh parenting, family conflict, poverty, peer influences, and exposure to community violence significantly increase risk. Callous-unemotional traits (a subtype associated with limited empathy) have a stronger genetic component than the broader CD presentation.

Question 3

Can conduct disorder be treated effectively?

Accepted Answer

Yes — particularly with early intervention. The most evidence-supported approaches are parent management training programmes (e.g., the Incredible Years, Triple P, and Positive Parenting), which improve parenting skills and consistency. Multisystemic therapy (MST) addresses the young person within their family, school, and community systems and has strong evidence for severe CD. CBT for anger management and social problem-solving skills develops missing regulatory capacities. Addressing underlying trauma, ADHD, and learning difficulties improves outcomes. Early intervention before patterns are entrenched produces the best results.

Question 4

What is the difference between conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder?

Accepted Answer

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) involves persistent angry or irritable mood, argumentative or defiant behaviour toward authority figures, and vindictiveness — but without the more serious violations of others' rights seen in conduct disorder. ODD typically develops earlier (often preschool age) and represents the less severe end of the externalising spectrum. Many children with conduct disorder have a prior history of ODD. Not all children with ODD progress to conduct disorder. Both conditions are associated with ADHD and respond to similar evidence-based parenting and behavioural interventions.

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Oppositional Defiant Disorder

ADHD

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