A Research Study On Conduct Disorders

Disruptive Behavior Disorders. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) form a cluster of childhood disorders considered to be “disruptive behavior disorders” (American Psychiatric Association, 2004). Although most violent adolescents have more than one mental disorder and they may have internalizing disorders, for example depression or substance abuse, there appear to be increasingly higher rates of physical aggression found in these adolescents who experience disruptive behavior disorders than for those with other mental disorders. The fact that violent juvenile offenders are more likely to have these diagnoses is not surprising, because impulsive and/or aggressive behaviors are part of their diagnostic criteria. Additionally, there is relatively high co-morbidity with substance abuse disorders, which are also associated with juvenile violence (Moeller, 2001). Individuals with conduct disorder have the following features but this list is not inclusive for example they may have little empathy and little concern for the feelings, wishes, and wellbeing of others, respond with aggression, may be callous and lack appropriate feelings of guilt re remorse, self-esteem may be low despite a projected

Genetics and behavior relations has been a controversial topic for several years, however, as time has passed so has the demand for proof or disproof of the relationship. One of the most important reasons for the need to define this relationship is to uncover the truths behind violent or delinquent behavior. Also, it is important that we can weed out people who make false claims that their genes are responsible for their actions in order for us to appropriately distribute penalties or treatment. Another reason is that if we do find truths to these claims we can find ways to treat these behaviors for better outcomes. Though many studies have been conducted to reveal associations, more research is yet to be done that explores all connections and detailed backgrounds of those involved in the studies. To begin validating our theories, we must use genotyping, which is the comparison of an individual’s genetic make-up through exploration of their DNA sequence then comparing it to the DNA sequence of another individual or a reference sample. Utilizing genotyping, we are able to view the alleles an individual inherited from their parents (slide 4).

Department of Health and Human Services, 2016). However, as with any hypothesis for what shapes personality, antisocial PD is believed to be rooted in nature – genetics – and nurturing – environmental factors. A child could even be born with a gene linked to antisocial PD and it would not become prevalent unless a traumatic experience occurs in their life (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

Today, as many as 3.5% of children in the United States are being diagnosed with Conduct Disorders some as early as age three (Perou, et al., 2013). Research has shown that CD is a behavior that predicts Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms at age six (Harvey and Metcalfe, 2013).

Researchers attribute part of the reason those with conduct disorder can’t cope with adversity and get caught and stay in high sensation seeking and impulsivity is because their brain has “deficits in prefrontal executive function and to rapid maturation of the subcortical motivation system” (Romer, 2010).This causes a disability in thinking clearly and rationally about decisions. Fortunately, multisystem therapy (MST) has been proven to effectively treat CD with the exception that effectivity correlates with socioeconomic status. “Reviews of parent training interventions for treatment of conduct problems suggest that economic disadvantage…moderates treatment response, with youth who are not disadvantaged benefitting more from treatment” (Lundahl, Risser, & Lovejoy, 2006). Thus, it is important to treat, not only the children or adolescents with CD, but the parents too. Conduct disorder can represent the effects of combining economic disadvantage and internalizing the belief that one can have different means to reach their goals. Hence, this may be the reason why people exhibiting CD steal clothes or break into a store to steal cash. However, while there is hope at effectively treating those with CD, it is important to remember that

Evidence indicates that genetic factors may play a role in development of disruptive behavior disorders (Hansell & Damour, 2005). A biological structure of an infant’s brain has preposition genes and chemical responses to develop into an adult (Perry, 2002). Disorders in lifespan development are not biologically set to occur (Dombeck, 2010). Issues’ dealing with environment, education, and way of life has made changes in developments, childhood behavior keeps a child on a continuum between normal and abnormal behavior (Hansell & Damour, 2005). Several disorders currently exist in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR) because studies on children, adolescent, and young adult disorders evolved from DSM-II (Hansell & Damour, 2005).

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is one of a group of behavioral disorders in the disruptive behavior disorders category. Children who have these disorders tend to be disruptive with a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures. These children often rebel, are stubborn, argue with adults, and refuse to obey. They have angry outbursts, have a hard time controlling their temper, and display a constant pattern of aggressive behaviors. ODD is one of the more common mental health disorders found in children and adolescents (AACAP, 2009). It is also associated with an increased risk for other forms of psychopathology, including other disruptive behavior disorders as well as mood or anxiety problems (Martel,

There are two common type of disruptive behavior disorders that affects children lives in a negative fashion when not treated properly. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (2004) “Behaviors typical of disruptive behavior disorders can closely resemble ADHD particularly where impulsivity and hyperactivity are involved but ADHD, ODD, and CD are considered separate conditions that can occur independently. About one third of all children with ADHD have coexisting ODD, and up to one quarter have coexisting CD” .The two types of disruptive behavior disorders are oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. Some symptoms of disruptive behavior disorder is breaking rules, defiant, argumentative, disobedient behaviors towards authority

These patterns last for at least 6 months (APA, 2013). ODD has also been associated with excessive arguing, cognitive and social deficits, and significant adult–child and child–peer interaction problems. Youth with ODD demonstrate high rates of aggressive and antisocial behaviors, with a subset displaying callousness and psychopathic traits, including a lack of guilt, empathy, and remorse. It is important to note the difference between ODD and CD (conduct disorder). The defining characteristic of oppositional defiant disorder is a fight against being controlled. For a child like this, being controlled feels like drowning. CD is used to describe an older child or adolescent who has moved into a pattern of violating the rights of others through intimidation or aggression. This could be against people or animals, and include more serious violations such as theft and vandalism.. The DSM-5, a diagnostic handbook used by mental health professionals, describes these individuals as having “a callous and unemotional interpersonal style.” (Colins & Andershed, 2015). These adolescents lack empathy. Children with CD and callous–unemotional (CU) traits present with patterns of persistent and violent antisocial behaviour which include low empathy and guilt and shallow affect. Currently, CU is considered a subtype for conduct disorder, according to the

Symptoms of adhd are not paying attention to detail, making careless mistakes, failing to pay attention and keep on task, not listening, being unable to follow or understand instructions, being distracted, fidgeting, squirming, getting up often when seated, running, talking excessively, having trouble playing quietly, and interrupting

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), opposition defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD) are three distinct disorders based upon their respective diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5. If ODD and CD were mild forms of ASPD, then there would need to be causal relationship between the childhood manifestations of ODD and CD and the adult manifestation of ASPD. There is evidence of comorbidity between ODD and CD, and also evidence to suggest that children diagnosed with these disorders may go on to develop ASPD later in life; however, correlation does not equal causation. The three disorders have subtle but important differences in their associated behaviors, underlying causes, treatment outcomes, and neurological signs.

Well conduct disorder is a complicated group of behavioral and emotional problems in youngsters. Children and adolescents with this disorder have great difficulty following rules and behaving in a socially acceptable way. They are often viewed by other children, adults and social agencies as bad or delinquent, rather than mentally ill.

Everyday we are hearing more and more about a child or teen that has committed some horrible act. On Tuesday April 27, 2004 a twelve-year-old Georgia boy was arrested for allegedly using “his hands to strangle a third grader who disappeared while riding her bicycle”(McLaughlin, 2004). In February, a twelve-year-old girl was beaten to unconsciousness by a group of adolescents and young adults while at a birthday party in Baltimore. The question we must ask ourselves is where are the parents? Sadly, in the case of the Baltimore girl, one of the young adults was the parent of one of the children. How do children learn that violent and socially deviant behavior is acceptable? Both of these scenarios

Overt conduct disorder violate social rules and includes a wide variety of antisocial behaviors such as aggression, theft, vandalism, firesetting, lying, truancy, and running away. It interferes with everyday functioning at home and school. Students with overt conduct disorder “perform harmful behaviors at a much higher rate and at a much later age than normally developing student” (Kauffman 2005).

According to Maddux and Winstead (2012), conduct disorder is defined as “A repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others or major age appropriate societal norms or rules are violated” (p.452). There are four behaviors that are included in the pattern, they include aggressive behavior that threatens harm to others, behavior that can result in property loss or damage, lying, deceit, thievery, and not following rules (Maddux & Winstead, 2012). Three repetitive pattern of behavior needs to have been current for at least a period of 12 months (Maddux & Winstead, 2012). Both oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder are disorders in the DSM- IV-TR that focus on conduct problem behaviors (Maddux & Winstead, 2012). While oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder sound very similar, the main difference between is the length of time that the behaviors have lasted (Maddux &