• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • ADHD
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • ADHD
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
Skip to content

Conduct Disorder: Definition, Symptoms, & Treatments

Published: October 7, 2020 Updated: May 17, 2023
Published: 10/07/2020 Updated: 05/17/2023
Headshot of Nicole Moreira, MA, AAC, MHP
Written by:

Nicole Moreira

MA, AAC, MHP
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD
  • What Is Conduct Disorder?What Is CD?
  • Symptoms of Conduct DisorderCommon Symptoms
  • Signs of Conduct DisorderCommon Signs
  • What Causes Childhood Conduct Disorder?Possible Causes
  • How Is Conduct Disorder Diagnosed?How Is It Diagnosed?
  • Treatment for Conduct DisorderTreatment Options
  • Helping Your Child Cope With Conduct DisorderHelping Your Child
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Headshot of Nicole Moreira, MA, AAC, MHP
Written by:

Nicole Moreira

MA, AAC, MHP
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD

Conduct disorder is characterized by the intentional violation of others’ rights and disregard for societal norms. Symptoms of conduct disorder in children vary but generally include aggression or violence, pathological lying, and manipulating others for personal gain. Typically, childhood conduct disorder is a precursor for a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder in adulthood.

Online Psychiatry and Medication Management Covered By Insurance

Talkiatry offers virtual psychiatry for children and adolescents (age 6 and up). They’re in-network with every major insurer and offer medication management with talk therapy. Complete the online assessment and get matched with a doctor in just days. Free Assessment

Choosing Therapy is compensated for marketing by Talkiatry.

Free Assessment

What Is Conduct Disorder?

Conduct disorder is classified as a combination of disruptive behaviors including aggression, property destruction, deceitfulness, and violation of rules. While there is no age limitation for receiving a conduct disorder diagnosis, the condition is rarely diagnosed after the age of 16. Typically, if similar symptoms present after the age of 18, a person may meet the criteria for antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).

How Common Is Conduct Disorder?

According to recent statistics, conduct disorder affects between 2% and 10% of children in the United States. Other research suggests that this rate may be as high as 16%. Furthermore, conduct disorder is more common in males than females, as prevalence rates for males vary from 6% to 16% while only between 2% and 9% of females meet the diagnosis.1,10

Symptoms of Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder symptoms vary depending on the child’s age and the severity of their condition. However, there are patterns of behavior that are common across the board, such as anger, rage, low self-esteem, irritability, and difficulty feeling remorse.

Symptoms of conduct disorder may include:

  • Tantrums, losing composure easily
  • Hostility and aggression
  • Pathological lying
  • Running away from home
  • Delinquency
  • Sexual abuse/assault
  • Manipulation of others for personal gain
  • Intentional violation of others’ rights
  • Substance abuse1,2

Signs of Conduct Disorder

A child or teen with conduct disorder will exhibit troubling behaviors that draw negative attention from family members, school authorities, and law enforcement. They will frequently experience reoccurring troubles at home, school, and in most aspects of their life.  For example, children diagnosed with conduct disorder will display hostility and aggression towards others, commonly resulting in bullying or fighting with peers. Additionally, many will frequently manipulate people for personal gain, exhibiting cunning and deceitful behaviors to do so. 

Signs of conduct disorder in children may include:

  • Bullying peers or threatening violence
  • Cruelty toward animals
  • Stealing
  • Destroying property
  • Arson or purposefully setting fires
  • Purposefully breaking rules and curfew
  • Trespassing for no apparent reason
  • Acts of vandalism
  • Obtaining or wielding weapons 

What Causes Childhood Conduct Disorder?

Conduct disorder is caused by a combination of biological and environmental factors that differ among individuals. The use of authoritarian parenting (high-discipline, low-affection parenting) or permissive parenting styles correlates with an increased risk of conduct disorder development. Experiencing childhood trauma and generational trauma are also commonly linked with conduct disorders.

Possible causes and risk factors for conduct disorder in children include:1,3,12

  • Male gender
  • Parents who abuse drugs and alcohol
  • Brain injury, impaired frontal lobe, or neurological abnormality
  • Co-occurring substance abuse or mental illness
  • Genetic factors
  • Having a family member diagnosed with a mental illness
  • Dysfunctional family life
  • Childhood abuse and neglect
  • Growing up or living in poverty
  • Not being accepted by peer groups, social rejection
  • Lack of or difficulty with moral awareness
  • Low empathy or callousness
  • Experiencing trauma
  • Exposure to gang activity or violence
  • Delinquency in peers
  • Inconsistent discipline
  • Authoritarian or permissive parenting styles

How Is Conduct Disorder Diagnosed?

Conduct disorder is diagnosed by a mental health care professional or medical provider. A child or teen will likely be referred for evaluation to seek remedy for any disturbance of conduct or conduct problems by authority figures in their life. A provider will use the DSM criteria for conduct disorder and clinical interviews to assess if a child’s behavior meets the diagnosis.

A diagnosis may also include observing the child in their natural environment as well as interviewing parents, family members, and teachers. They will review the child’s behavior across different settings and contexts to look for variations in behavior.8

Treatment for Conduct Disorder

Common treatment modalities for conduct disorder include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for kids, parent management training (PMT), individual therapy, family therapy, and social skills training. School-based treatment programs, including residential treatment, may help improve academic performance and build the child’s self-esteem. Ongoing medical, emotional, educational, and social support is required for many years for severe forms of conduct disorder in order to help the child become a productive adult.

If the youth is incarcerated, there may be group and individual therapy treatments included as part of the rehabilitation process, often targeting interpersonal skills training, emotion regulation, and substance abuse treatment. In these cases, common modalities used may include multisystemic therapy (MST), multidimensional family therapy (MDFT), and functional family therapy (FFT). These interventions have been shown effective in reducing delinquency and substance abuse in juveniles.

There are currently no FDA-approved medications for conduct disorder. However, treating any co-occurring disorders, such as mood disorders and ADHD, is common practice. Without seeking treatment, escalations of violent and aggressive behaviors are probable.

Popular Options For Child & Teen Therapy

Talkiatry – Talkiatry offers virtual psychiatry for children and adolescents (age 6 and up). They’re in-network with every major insurer and offer medication management with talk therapy. Complete the online assessment and get matched with a doctor in just days. Free Assessment


Teen Counseling – Provides online talk therapy to teenagers (13 – 19 years) of age. Serves all 50 states. Learn More


Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Talkiatry and Teen Counseling.

Helping Your Child Cope With Conduct Disorder

Supporting your child or teen with conduct disorder can be challenging and exhausting. However, there are strategies that can help improve daily life for the child and family members and improve long-term positive outcomes.

Below are tips for helping your child if they have been diagnosed with conduct disorder:9

  • Praise positive behavior: Telling your child something as simple as, “Thank you for making your bed today,” reinforces positive behavior and lets them know you are paying attention to their efforts in improving.
  • Set and maintain boundaries: Once boundaries are set, stick to them. Be clear and consistent with rules in your home and avoid power struggles.
  • Assign chores to teach responsibility: Assign chores and age-appropriate tasks to your child. This will help them feel responsible and develop a sense of agency.
  • Set a positive example for your child: Model the behaviors you want to see in your child. Interacting and behaving in a pro-social is one way to start. Modeling is a powerful form of learning, especially in your child’s formative years.
  • Establish a routine: Creating a consistent schedule for your child or teen will help foster stability and structure in the household and in their daily life.
  • Spend time with your child: Spend meaningful time together. Engage your child in conversations. Listen to your child and engage in activities with them. Show them that they matter!
  • Focus on communication: Get everyone in the family on the same page. As the restructuring of your household occurs, make sure everyone participates to avoid reverting back to prior ineffective family dynamics.
  • Remember to stay patient: The process of change won’t happen overnight. Think of this process as a marathon and not a sprint. 

Final Thoughts

Conduct disorder in children predicts an increased rate of psychiatric disorders throughout their lifespan. Because of this, the importance of early identification and treatment of conduct disorder, in conjunction with protective factors, is important in predicting better long-term outcomes for youth diagnosed.4,17,19

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Talk Therapy 

Online-Therapy.com – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. Online-Therapy.com provides 45 minute weekly video sessions and unlimited text messaging with your therapist for only $64/week. Get started  Get Started

Virtual Psychiatry

Talkiatry Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with expert psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment in days. Free Assessment

Starting Therapy Newsletter

A free newsletter for those interested in learning about therapy and how to get the most benefits out of therapy. Get helpful tips and the latest information. Sign Up

DBT Skills Course

Jones Mindful Living Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a popular treatment for BPD. Learn DBT skills with live weekly classes and online video courses for only $19 per month. Free One Week Trial

Choosing Therapy Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty,  experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Jones Mindful Living, Online-Therapy.com, and Talkiatry.

For Further Reading

  • The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Conduct Disorder Resource Center
  • Parents of Children with Conduct Disorder (PCConduct Disorder) Facebook Group
  • Childhood Behavioral Checklist
12 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA.

  • AACAP Staff Writers (2018) Facts for Families American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Retrieved from https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Conduct-Disorder-033.aspx

  • Mueser, K. T., et al. (2006). Conduct disorder and antisocial personality disorder in persons with severe psychiatric and substance use disorders. Schizophrenia bulletin, 32(4), 626–636. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbj068

  • Offord, D.R., Bennett, K.J. (1994) Conduct Disorder: long-term outcomes and intervention effectiveness. Journal American Academy Child Adolescent Psychiatry. 1994; 33(8):1069-1078

  • Freeze, M.K., Burke, A., & Vorster, A.C., (2014) The Role of Parental Style in the Conduct Disorders: a comparison between adolescent boys with and without conduct disorder. Journal of Child Adolescent Mental Health. 2014; 26(1)63-73. https://doi.org/10.2989/17280583.2013.865627

  • Hosokawa, R., & Katsura, T. (2018). Role of Parenting Style in Children’s Behavioral Problems through the Transition from Preschool to Elementary School According to Gender in Japan. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(1), 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16010021

  • Lonczak, H.S., (2020) What is Positive Parenting? A Look at the Research and Benefits. PositivePsychology.com. Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/positive-parenting/

  • Somers-Flanagan, J., & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2011) Assessment and Diagnosis of Conduct Disorder. Journal of Counseling & Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.1998.tb02392.x

  • Mindsum. (2021). How to help someone with conduct disorder. Retrieved from https://www.mindsum.org/articles/how-to-help-someone-with-conduct-disorder

  • CHADD (2020) Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Retrieved from https://chadd.org/about-adhd/disruptive-behavior-disorders/

  • Martinelli, K. (2020) The Power of Positive Attention ChildMind.Org. Retrieved from https://childmind.org/article/the-power-of-positive-attention/

  • Mohan L., Yilanli M., & Ray S., (2020) Conduct Disorder. StatPerls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470238/

Recent Articles

Child & Teen Counseling
What to Expect When Sending Your Child or Teen to Counseling
Therapy for children is the process in which a licensed mental health professional helps a child gain a higher...
';
Best Anxiety Books for Teens
Best Anxiety Books for Teens
Teen anxiety can look like negative self-talk, sudden shyness, avoiding activities that once brought happiness, and/or reckless behaviors, but...
';
how to help a teenager with depression
How to Help a Teenager With Depression: 10 Tips for Parents
Seeing symptoms of depression in your teenager can be alarming for parents, especially if you don’t know how to...
';
12 Common Teen Issues How to Support
12 Common Teen Issues & How to Support
Most teenagers believe they have the world figured out and think they know more than the adults in their...
';
Best Online Therapy Options for Teens
Best Options for Online Therapy for Teens in 2023
Online teen counseling platforms make it much easier and more accessible for teens and their families to access care...
';
Depression in College Students: Signs, Symptoms & Treatments
Depression in College Students: Signs, Symptoms & Treatments
One in four young adults will experience depression by age 24. While all college students will have times of...
';
Headshot of Nicole Moreira, MA, AAC, MHP
Written by:

Nicole Moreira

MA, AAC, MHP
Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Reviewed by:

Dena Westphalen

PharmD
  • What Is Conduct Disorder?What Is CD?
  • Symptoms of Conduct DisorderCommon Symptoms
  • Signs of Conduct DisorderCommon Signs
  • What Causes Childhood Conduct Disorder?Possible Causes
  • How Is Conduct Disorder Diagnosed?How Is It Diagnosed?
  • Treatment for Conduct DisorderTreatment Options
  • Helping Your Child Cope With Conduct DisorderHelping Your Child
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Call for immediate help
Emergency: 911
Suicide Hotline: 988
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
988
Click For More Crisis Hotlines
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
811
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo