Conduct Disorder: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

Conduct disorder (CD) is a mental disorder diagnosed in childhood or adolescence that presents itself through a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that includes theft, lies, physical violence that may lead to destruction, and reckless breaking of rules,[1] in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate norms are violated. These behaviors are often referred to as "antisocial behaviors."[2] It is often seen as the precursor to antisocial personality disorder, which by definition cannot be diagnosed until the individual is 18 years old.[3] Conduct disorder may result from parental rejection and neglect and can be treated with family therapy, as well as behavioral modifications and pharmacotherapy.[4] Conduct disorder is estimated to affect 51.1 million people globally as of 2013.[5]
One of the symptoms of conduct disorder is a lower level of fear. Research performed on the impact of toddlers exposed to fear and distress shows that negative emotionality (fear) predicts toddlers' empathy-related response to distress. The findings support that if a caregiver is able to respond to infant cues, the toddler has a better ability to respond to fear and distress. If a child does not learn how to handle fear or distress the child will be more likely to lash out at other children. If the caregiver is able to provide therapeutic intervention teaching children at risk better empathy skills, the child will have a lower incident level of conduct disorder.[6]

Increased instances of violent and antisocial behavior are also associated with the condition;[7] examples may range from pushing, hitting and biting when the child is young, progressing towards beating and inflicted cruelty as the child becomes older.[8][9]

Conduct disorder can present with limited prosocial emotions, lack of remorse or guilt, lack of empathy, lack of concern for performance, and shallow or deficient affect. Symptoms vary by individual, but the four main groups of symptoms are described below.[10]
Aggression to people and animals

Often bullies, threatens or intimidates others
Often initiates physical fights
Has used a weapon that can cause serious physical harm to others (e.g., a bat, brick, broken bottle, knife, gun)
Has been physically cruel to people
Has been physically cruel to animals
Has stolen while confronting a victim (e.g., mugging, purse snatching, extortion, armed robbery)
Has forced someone into sexual activity (rape or molestation)[10]
Feels no remorse or empathy towards the harm, fear, or pain they may have inflicted on others

Destruction of property

Has deliberately engaged in fire setting with the intention of causing serious damage
Has deliberately destroyed others' property (other than by fire setting)[10]

Deceitfulness or theft

Has broken into someone else's house, building, or car
Often lies to obtain goods or favors or to avoid obligations (i.e., "cons" others)
Has stolen items of nontrivial value without confronting a victim (e.g., shoplifting, but without breaking and entering; forgery)[10]

Serious violations of rules

Often stays out at night despite parental prohibitions, beginning before age 13 years
Has run away from home overnight at least twice while living in parental or parental surrogate home (or once without returning for a lengthy period)
Is often truant from school, beginning before age 13 years[10]

The lack of empathy these individuals have and the aggression that accompanies this carelessness for the consequences is dangerous- not only for the individual but for those around them. [11]