Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder involves a repetitive pattern of behavior violating others' rights or societal norms, typically emerging in childhood or adolescence.

Diagnostic criteria require at least three problematic behaviors within the past year, with one in the past six months.

Symptoms include aggression toward people and animals, such as bullying, physical cruelty, or using a weapon, such as a bat or brick, to cause serious harm to others.

Other symptoms include deliberate property destruction, deceitfulness, habitual shoplifting, and serious violations of rules, such as truancy or running away from home.

Affected individuals often show little or no remorse, lack empathy, and disregard the consequences of their actions.

They may misinterpret others' intentions as hostile, leading to aggression.

Negative emotionality and low self-control, including irritability, temper outbursts, insensitivity to punishment, and thrill-seeking, often accompany the disorder.

Risk factors include low frustration tolerance, environmental stressors like neglect and abuse, and genetic predispositions.

Cultural and gender norms influence diagnosis, with boys showing physical aggression and girls displaying relational aggression.