Understanding Conduct Disorder
When behaviour problems run deeper — understanding conduct disorder.
What Is Conduct Disorder?
Conduct disorder involves repetitive and persistent patterns of behaviour that violate the rights of others or major age-appropriate social norms.
It's more than just 'bad behaviour' — it often reflects underlying emotional distress, trauma, or neurodevelopmental differences.
Common Features
Aggression toward people and animals.
Destruction of property.
Lying or theft.
Serious violation of rules.
Often co-occurs with ADHD, depression, or anxiety.
May have experienced abuse, neglect, or family instability.
Approaches That Help
Multisystemic therapy addresses behaviour within the context of family, school, and community.
Parent management training.
Individual CBT for emotional regulation.
Trauma-informed approaches when trauma is present.
Mentoring programmes and positive role models.
Looking beyond the behaviour to understand the unmet needs underneath.