Condition Conduct disorders

Condition Conduct disorders

What are conduct disorders?

Your child/young person may have a conduct disorder if they often break rules or hurt others. This is known as a pattern of antisocial behaviour.

Conduct disorders are difficult to diagnose because children can go through phases of bad behaviour that are due to life events or another mental health condition.

Signs of a conduct disorder will usually start from a young age and develop as your child ages. For example, blaming others can evolve into lying, which then might turn into more complex behaviour.

If your child has a conduct disorder may lack empathy. This means they have difficulty understanding or responding to the feelings of others. They may even seem to enjoy hurting others.

Signs in children  aged 5 to 7:

  • hitting or pushing
  • annoying others
  • breaking rules
  • tantrums and arguing
  • damaging things

Signs in children aged 8 to 11:

  • bullying or fighting
  • swearing
  • stealing
  • being cruel to animals
  • setting fires

Signs in teenagers:

  • hurting other people
  • threats
  • skipping school, running away, or staying out too late
  • drinking or using drugs
  • committing crimes

Adults cannot be diagnosed with a conduct disorder. An adult with these behaviours might be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).

Most children who are diagnosed with a conduct disorder will improve by the time they reach their 20s. Others may be diagnosed with ASPD or another condition. The risk of this is higher if the behaviours started at an earlier age, are more severe, or if your child doesn’t receive the right support.

What causes conduct disorders?

We don't know what causes conduct disorders.

Many things make conduct problems more likely, for example:

  • being male
  • having learning needs
  • having a condition like ADHD
  • having a parent or sibling with a conduct or personality disorder
  • having parents with poor mental health
  • abuse or neglect
  • problems at home
  • having friends who behave badly

Next steps

Step 1. Check out our advice

Browse our advice and resources to learn more about your condition and ways to manage it.
Step 2. Contact a Healthcare Professional

If you need further support or have concerns, a Healthcare Professional is here to help. Reach out for professional medical advice tailored to you.
Step 3. View our services

Discover services and support options available to help you with your health and wellbeing.

Managing difficult behaviour

We've created advice to help you manage your child's behaviour. 

Health and Justice Service for children and young people

  • Children & young people

Support for children and young people aged 10 to 18 who are involved with Youth Justice Services (YJS).

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Liaison and Diversion and RECONNECT Service

  • Adults
  • Children & young people

Extra support for people with a disability or mental health problem who have been arrested or charged, or are leaving prison.

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Mental Health Support Team for children and young people

  • Children & young people

Support for children and young people with mild or moderate mental health difficulties who attend a Berkshire school or college.

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External support

Autism Berkshire

A leading autism charity in Berkshire, offering specialist services, training, and fun social activities across the county. The charity is guided by a team of trustees who bring both personal and professional experience of autism.

Parenting Special Children

Draws on both lived experience and professional expertise to provide specialist information, expert advice, and a compassionate listening ear.

SAFE!

An independent charity providing support to children and families around the Thames Valley are who have been affected by crime or abuse through one-to-one and group sessions.

West Berkshire SENDIASS

Special Educational Needs & Disability Information Advice & Support Service (SENDIASS) aims to empower parents, carers, children, and young people to play an active and informed role in making decisions about their education, health, and social care.

Wokingham ASSIST Team

The EarlyBird Plus Parent Programme supports parents and carers of school-aged children under ten with a diagnosis of autism.