Conduct Disorder

Action Signs*:

Conduct disorder is a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in children and adolescents in which the rights of others or basic social rules are violated. The child or adolescent usually exhibits these behavior patterns in a variety of settings - at home, at school, and in social situations - and they cause significant impairment in his or her social, academic, and family functioning.

Behaviors characteristic of conduct disorder include:

  • Aggressive behavior that causes or threatens harm to other people or animals, such as bullying or intimidating others, often initiating physical fights, or being physically cruel to animals
  • Nonaggressive conduct that causes property loss or damage, such as fire-setting or the deliberate destruction of others' property
  • Deceitfulness or theft, such as breaking into someone's house or car, or lying or "conning" others
  • Serious rule violations, such as staying out at night when prohibited, running away from home overnight, or often being truant from school

Many youth with conduct disorder may have trouble feeling and expressing empathy or remorse and reading social cues. These youth often misinterpret the actions of others as being hostile or aggressive and respond by escalating the situation into conflict. Conduct disorder may also be associated with other difficulties, such as substance use, risk-taking behavior, school problems, and physical injury from accidents or fights.

* The Action Signs Project Peter Jensen, MD et al, REACH Institute

Clinical Guidelines:

AACAP Summary of Practice Parameters for the Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Conduct Disorders, Vol 36 Oct 1997 and Vol 36 Oct. 1997 Supplement

Screening for Conduct Disorder:

Parents may fill out a brief screening that may detect risk for conduct disorder at http://addadhdadvances.com/CDtest.html
  • 14 items
  • Parent completes questionnaire
  • 5 minutes to complete
  • Free


Parent information and handouts:

Conduct Disorder-AACAP Facts for Families

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Conduct Disorder Resource Center