River Oak Center for Children: Conduct Disorder

Mental health problems affect one in every five young people at any given time. "Serious
emotional disturbances" for children and adolescents refers to the above disorders when they
severely disrupt daily functioning in home, school, or community. Serious emotional
disturbances affect one in every 10 young people at any given time.

For assistance/information call:

1-800-789-2647 National Mental Health Information Center
1-800-969-6642 (press 1) Mental Health America
1-800-273-8255 24 Hour Crisis Line (Mental Health America)
1-240-403-1901 National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
1-800-950-6264 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) www.nami.org

What is Conduct Disorder?

Children with conduct disorder repeatedly violate the personal or property rights of others and
the basic expectations of society. A diagnosis of conduct disorder is likely when symptoms
continue for 6 months or longer. Conduct disorder is known as a "disruptive behavior disorder"
because of its impact on children and their families, neighbors, and schools.

Another disruptive behavior disorder, called oppositional defiant disorder, may be a precursor
of conduct disorder. A child is diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder when he or she
shows signs of being hostile and defiant for at least 6 months. Oppositional defiant disorder
may start as early as the preschool years, while conduct disorder generally appears when
children are older. Oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder are not co-occurring
conditions.

How common is Conduct Disorder?

Conduct disorder affects one to four percent of nine to 17 year-olds, depending on exactly how the
disorder is defined. The disorder appears to be more common in boys than in girls and more
common in cities than in rural areas.

What help is available for families?

Although conduct disorder is one of the most difficult behavior disorders to treat, young people
often benefit from a range of services that include:

•   Training for parents on how to handle child or adolescent behavior.
•   Family therapy.
•   Training in problem solving skills for children or adolescents.
•   Community-based services that focus on the young person within the content of
    family and community influences.

What can parents do?

Some child and adolescent behaviors are hard to change after they have become ingrained.
Therefore, the earlier the conduct disorder is identified and treated, the better the chance for
success. Most children or adolescents with conduct disorder are probably reacting to events
and situations in their lives.

How does River Oak help children and adolescents with conduct disorder?

There are many treatment options available at River Oak for Conduct/Disruptive Behavior
Disorders. Two evidence-based family therapies offered are Multisystemic Therapy and
Functional Family Therapy. Individual and group treatment may include skills training such as
problem solving, communication, anger control, and assertiveness training. Treatment can
also include social skills training, such as Teaching Prosocial Skills. Cognitive behavioral
therapy also can be useful to help the child, adolescent, and/or family understand thinking
and behavior. Parent Management Training and problem solving for parents is an important
part of treatment for Conduct/Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Multidimensional Treatment
Foster Care is available for younger children with conduct or disruptive behaviors within the
foster care system.

Important messages about children's and adolescents' mental health: