Conduct Disorder in Teens and Children: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Teenage angst and the desire for independence are normal parts of adolescent development. However, what if your teen’s behaviors go beyond typical adolescent rebelliousness? If your child regularly engages in disturbing, aggressive, or destructive behaviors, they may be struggling with childhood conduct disorder.

Understanding what childhood conduct disorder is and what sets it apart from typical teenage moodiness can help parents and caregivers decide whether to seek professional support.

Key Takeaways

• Aggressive or destructive behavior in teens can be a sign of underlying mental health issues, including conduct disorder.
• Signs of conduct disorder include violence toward people or animals, damage to others’ property, and disregard of others’ rights.
• Causes of conduct disorder may genetics, brain development, environment, and co-existing mental health issues.
• Treatment for conduct disorder and related mental health issues can foster healing and significantly reduce problematic behaviors.

What Is Conduct Disorder?

Childhood conduct disorder is a type of disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) diagnosed in children and adolescents. The American Psychological Association estimates that conduct disorder affects between 2 and 10 percent of the US population.

Characterized by severe aggression, violation of people and property, and defiance of rules and social norms, conduct disorder can be perplexing and heartbreaking for families.

Behaviors of children with this disorder may include breaking the law, and can lead to serious consequences like arrest, injury, or harm to others. 

Signs and Symptoms of Conduct Disorder

Signs and symptoms of conduct disorder in children and teens include:

• Overall lack of remorse or distress about their actions. A teen that doesn’t respect screen-time rules and is secluding themselves from family and friends to be on their phones will need stricter rules and limitations.
• Violation of the rights of others at home, in school, and with peers
• Violence or coercion toward peers, including sexual assault, threats, harassment, and bullying
• Damage or destruction of property or material goods, such as vandalism
• Theft and lying
• Hostility or mistreatment toward animals
• Breaking rules and social norms, including skipping school, staying out past curfew, or running away from home
• Imperviousness to punishment

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What Causes Childhood Conduct Disorder?

Young people struggling with conduct disorder are often treated as bad, immoral, or broken. But conduct disorder isn’t a choice—it’s a mental health condition that deserves care and proper treatment.

Research shows conduct disorder is likely caused by a variety of biopsychosocial factors. These include genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and neurological differences. Additionally, co-occurring or underlying mental health conditions may amplify aggression or behavioral problems in teens. A 2024 study of 70,000 teens and young adults worldwide found that 47 percent of those with conduct disorder also had depression or bipolar disorder. Furthermore, 58 percent had ADHD, 10 percent had anxiety, 10 percent had PTSD, and 14 percent had a co-occurring substance use disorder.

Genetics

Genetic factors can contribute to the development of conduct disorder, via the following:

• Heritable personality traits like sociability, temperament, impulsivity, and aggression
• High levels of hormones such as testosterone, which are associated with heightened aggression
• Fluctuating or low levels of neurotransmitters or other brain chemicals, which can impact things like aggression and impulsivity

Environment

These environmental influences can affect personality development and mental health:

• A history of abuse, violence, or trauma
• Exposure to substance use, domestic violence, and other social stressors
• Growing up without access to safe, consistent, and supportive caregivers
• Socioeconomic stressors, including living in poverty, experiencing homelessness, and exposure to gang violence

Brain Differences

Neurological factors that can contribute to conduct disorder in children include:

• Brain damage or traumatic injuries
• Developmental delays
• Learning disorders

Comorbidities with Other Conditions

Conduct disorder in teens often coexists alongside other mental health issues, such as:

• Developmental disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• ADHD
• Mood disorders like depression or bipolar disorder

How to Tell the Difference Between Typical Child Rebellion and Conduct Disorder

As a parent, dealing with a child whose behaviors are destructive can leave you feeling alarmed and helpless. If you’re asking yourself, “How can I tell whether my teen has conduct disorder?” the answer often comes down to severity and scope.

Typical child rebellion is a normal part of adolescent development. It’s normal for kids to be moodier and behave somewhat differently as their hormones, stressors, and social settings shift. However, if their symptoms are impacting daily functioning, they should have a mental health assessment to address underlying issues before they get worse.

Here are five questions you can ask yourself to gauge your teen’s symptom severity:

1. Has your teen gotten into significant trouble with the law?
2. Is your teen violent or harmful to themselves or others?
3. Do your teen’s symptoms impact functioning at school, at home, and in social settings?
4. Are you concerned about other possible mental health issues, such as depression or trauma?
5. Does the severity your teen’s behavior surpass your ability to intervene or manage it?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, don’t wait to seek help. Conduct disorder in teens can have devastating consequences on individuals and families, and can lead to worse mental health problems in adulthood, including antisocial personality disorder, substance use, and self-harm or suicide.

Treatment to Help Families Address Childhood Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder behaviors can feel out of control and frightening for parents. But you don’t have to navigate these behaviors on your own. Comprehensive treatment focused on a teen’s mental, emotional, and physical health can foster healing and growth for young people and their families.

At Newport Academy, we treat ages 7–11 in our children’s residential program, and teens ages 12–18 in our teen residential program and outpatient treatment centers. We focus on addressing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health concerns while simultaneously working through behavioral problems. Children and families build skills to deal with issues like anger, aggression, and impulse control.

Our approach uses evidence-based clinical and experiential modalities to help your whole family heal. A multidisciplinary team of licensed health professionals—including therapists, physicians, dietitians, nurses, educators, and psychiatrists—ensure your teen gets the individual care and support they need. Plus, family and group therapy sessions provide a framework for the whole family to rebuild healthy relationships.

Our caring staff is available to help you every step of the way, starting with a free mental health assessment and insurance verification. Get in touch today to see if treatment could be the answer.

Sources

Gen Psychiatr. 2024; 37(2): e101501.

StatPearls Publishing, 2024 Jan.

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