Conduct Disorder - Term Paper Example

Conduct disorder Introduction Conduct disorder is a disorder that appears during childhood and adolescence that involves chronic behavioral problems such as criminal activity, drug use, and defiant, impulsive, or antisocial behavior (Kazdin, 1995). The behavior shown is repetitive and the rights of others and social norms are ignored and gone against. When a child or teenager suffers from conduct disorder, they increase their chances of displaying the aforementioned behaviors. Some signs of conduct disorder are bullying and fighting, and disregarding nighttimes curfews set down by authority figures. Part of conduct disorder also includes a lack of empathy, disabling them to feel guilt or sorrow for any behavior that they involve themselves in. Though there are very few set causes of conduct disorder, child abuse, poverty, and family conflicts have been associated with the onset of the disorder. I. Signs of psychopathology of conduct disorder Conduct disorder contains quite a few signs of psychopathology in both its development in a person and the aftermath, which encompasses the lack of empathy and remorse that a sufferer of conduct disorder experiences. Mental illness and stress play a role in the developing of conduct disorder, especially if previous and current abuse is involved (Quay, 1999). Depression is the most common mental disease that can have a part in conduct disorder. Children and adolescents depend on coping techniques to get them through various obstacles and hardships in their lives. Without these techniques, they often succumb to depression, as well as various degrees of stress. Depression and stress are not only results of conduct disorder, but they are also factors that can onset the disorder. These mentally-focused disorders and illnesses can cause young people to act out in ways that go against societal norms. There are many mental disorders that can cause a child or teenager to act out violently and recklessly. Parent psychopathology also plays a role in the increased risk of a child developing conduct disorder. Maternal depression, paternal alcoholism, and criminal or antisocial behavior in either parent have been directly linked to conduct disorder. In some cases, mothers who have been diagnosed with depression often view their children’s behavior as being inappropriate, which can cause the child to begin to behave in such ways. Their constant defiance towards their mother’s behavior increases the more that they implement it, thus developing conduct disorder. II. Differential diagnoses Conduct disorder can often be confused or mistaken with a variety of other mood or behavioral disorders. It is because of this that when children and teenagers display signs and behaviors that may suggest conduct disorder, they undergo tests and examinations to determine what, if anything, that they could be suffering from. This allows the attending clinician to properly diagnose their patient and administer proper treatment and support. Attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactive disorder share similar signs and symptoms to conduct disorder; all three involve making their start with young children, displaying socially unacceptable behaviors, being uncontrolled by the person, and resulting with a lack of remorse or understanding of their behaviors. These two behavioral disorders also include a lack of attention, which is yet another sign that can be seen in conduct disorder. Young people with conduct disorder often have no attention for what is going on around them, especially if authority figures are involved. As ADD and ADHD are common among young people, therefore being some of the first possible diagnoses looked at. Oppositional defiant disorder is another disorder that can be confused with conflict disorder. Though not focused on children, oppositional defiant disorder is common in younger people. This disorder involves the person losing their temper, deliberately doing things that annoy or bother others, display behaviors that are spiteful or vindictive, and refusing requests made by adults or other authoritative figures. The only difference between this disorder and conduct disorder is that conduct disorder usually involve violence and more reckless behavior. Antisocial personality disorder contains similar signs and symptoms to conduct disorder, though does not have as great of a focus on violence and often takes place in young adults. However, children and adolescence have been known to develop antisocial personality disorder. The major factors of this disorder include a failure to conform with social norms, irresponsibility, a lack of remorse and empathy, and aggressiveness. III. Pharmacological treatment, education, and follow-up While there are no formally approved medications for cases of conduct disorder, there are still medications that can help lessen some of the more harsher symptoms. Ritalin is one of the more common medications, which helps to calm the patient down and allows them to focus more on their surroundings and, in turn, their responsibilities. Antidepressants are also used as most children and adolescents with conduct disorder suffer from depression. Lithium and anticonvulsants aid in lessening the amount of aggression that someone with conduct disorder may display (Nelson, 2006). Though Ritalin is the most common, Lithium appears to be the most promising. As the aforementioned drugs can result in side effects that can further the initial condition, the patient is informed of the purpose of the medication and what else they can end up experiencing. Their behavior on the medication is monitored to make sure that the medication is doing what it should be and not exacerbating the disorder. IV. Non-pharmacological treatment, education, and follow-up The most common non-pharmacological treatment methods include various therapies. Children and adolescents can be subjected to one-on-one therapy, group therapy with other people around their age, and therapy with their family. One-on-one therapy helps the individual pinpoint where their aggression is coming from, thus allowing the therapist to devise a plan to help the individual cope with the situations in their life. Group therapy provides the individual with a controlled, protected environment that not only aids them in overcoming their aggression, but also helps them to do so amongst a group. Family members are taught various techniques that can help reduce conduct disorder episodes. In cases where there is abuse, the child is taken from the home and subjected to the proper therapy. When the child is taken from the home, they are placed in a less chaotic environment, one that is familiar with children from familiar backgrounds. Through talk therapy, the needs of the child can be decided and treatment can be undergone. Inpatient programs are also possibilities, especially for individuals who have shown physical harm to themselves or to others. The younger the child is, the less recommended inpatient programs are. Many states do not regulate inpatient programs for children with conduct disorder as they have not only proven to be less helpful than other treatments, but they have also a history of being the cause of death in some children (Matthys, 2010). One of the most important aspects of therapy involves the education of both the disorder and the purpose of the treatment being implemented. With therapy and even some inpatient programs, the child is educated as to what is going on with them, what is causing it, and what will be done to try and improve it. Follow-ups are common and done often to make sure that the individual continues to get the treatment and support that they need. V. Community resources Community resources are also looked to as treatment options. As aggression is quite common in children and adolescents, whether or not they are at risk or have been diagnosed with conduct disorder, numerous public programs have been designed to keep children and adolescents away from aggressive behaviors. Behavioral modification schools, wilderness programs, and boot camps use confrontation therapies to help children with conduct disorder as well as those that simply want to be strengthened against aggressive behaviors (Connor, 2002). However, many of these programs do not have medical backing. Other programs, such as after school programs similar to the Boys and Girls Club, uses support methods to help children stay out of trouble. References Connor, D.F. (2002). Aggression and antisocial behavior in children and adolescents: Research and treatment. New York, NY: Guildford Publications, Inc. Kazdin, A.E. (1995). Conduct disorders in childhood and adolescence. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publishing. Matthys, W. (2010). Oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder in childhood. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated. Nelson, M. (2006). Conduct disorders: A practitioner’s guide to comparative treatments. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. Quay, H.C. (1999). Handbook of disruptive behavior disorders. New York, NY: Springer- Verlag New York, LL. Read More