Conduct Disorder or Normal Teenage Rebellion

Normal teenage rebellion or conduct disorder, is it easy to tell the difference? It is. Conduct disorder previously had been called delinquency. Now, it has its own diagnostic criteria in order to identify behaviors that are more serious than simple teenage rebellion.
The key to recognizing conduct disorder in teenagers really begins before a child becomes a teenager. A number of behaviors can manifest before the child turns 13. The behaviors listed below are included in the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder. The diagnostic criteria are from the American Psychiatric Association DSM IV of Mental Disorders.

• A) A repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated, as manifested by the presence of three (or more) of the following criteria in the past 12 months, with at least one criterion present in the past six months:
AGGRESSION TOWARDS PEOPLE AND ANIMALS
o Often bullies, threatens or intimidates others
o Often initiates physical fights
o Has used a weapon that can cause serious physical harm to others (e.g., a bat, brick, broken bottle, knife, gun)
o Has been physically cruel to people
o Has been physically cruel to animals
o Has stolen while confronting a victim (e.g., mugging, purse-snatching, extortion, armed robbery)
o Has forced someone into sexual activity
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY
o Has deliberately engaged in fire-setting with the intention of causing serious damage
o Has deliberately destroyed others’ property (other than fire-setting)
DECEITFULNESS OR THEFT
o Has broken into someone else’s house, building, or car
o Often lies to obtain goods or favors or to avoid obligations (i.e., “cons” others)
o Has stolen items of nontrivial value without confronting a victim (e.g., shoplifting, but without breaking and entering; forgery
SERIUOS VIOLATIONS OF RULES
o Often stays out at night despite parental prohibitions, beginning before age 13
o Has run away from home overnight at least twice while living in parental or parental surrogate home (or once without returning for a lengthy period)
o Is often truant form school, beginning before age 13 years
• The disturbance in behaviors causes clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning
• If the individual is age 18 years or older, criteria are not met for antisocial personality disorder.

What if you have seen some of these behaviors in a teenager? You should know that there are possible skills that can be taught to the teenager that will specifically address the behaviors. These interventions should be used in addition to seeking assistance from professionals trained in mental health issues for children and adolescence.

The possible skills to be taught to a teenager at risk of conduct disorder or currently exhibiting conduct disorder include the following:
• Following instructions
• Accepting consequences
• Accepting “NO” answers
• Accepting criticism
• Anger control strategies
• Listening to others
• Positive self-statements about others
• Compromising with others
• Controlling emotions
• Coping with anger and aggression from others
• Self-monitoring and reflection
• Expressing concern and understanding for others
• Relaxation strategies
• Making restitution
• Seeking positive attention
• Disagreeing appropriately
• Showing sensitivity to others
• Asking for help
• Following rules
• Interrupting appropriately
• Making an apology
• Structured problem-solving
• Dealing with accusations
• Dealing with frustrations
• Expressing feelings appropriately
• Negotiating with others
• Problem-solving a disagreement
• Assertiveness
• Conflict resolution
• Accepting decisions of authority
• Communicating honestly
• Keeping property in its place
• Interacting appropriately with the opposite sex
• Waiting your turn
• Showing respect
• Getting teacher’s attention
• Care for other’s property
• Controlling the impulse to steal
• Use of appropriate language
• Making new friends

When reviewing the list of skills above, you may have noticed that some of the skills are the very basic skills that most children would learn at home or in the early years of school. There are some situations and home life that may not have been the best starting point for these children. Regardless of the beginning years, each child will need to have these skills taught to them by professionals and other significant adults with a large concentration on consistency. The child or adolescent needs to have each skills used consistently with them and by the adult assisting the process.

There is always hope for a child or adolescent displaying behaviors consistent with conduct disorder. Being aware of the symptoms and taking immediate and consistent steps to change the behaviors will enable a child or adolescent opportunities to become a productive member of society.