Description Conduct disorder re...
Description
Conduct disorder refers to a set of behavioral and emotional problems in children and adolescents. These problems may include drug abuse, criminal activity, oppositional behavior and defiant behavior. The disorder is more common in boys and is linked to poverty, family conflicts and parental drug/alcohol abuse.
Symptoms
Symptoms include cruel or aggressive behavior, drug or alcohol abuse, truancy, lying, running away, and vandalism.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A complete history and physical exam will be performed. The diagnosis can usually be made based upon these alone. Occasionally, blood or imaging tests may be ordered to exclude other diagnoses.
Tests:
Blood alcohol level (BAC), Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Urine toxicology screen
Specialists:
Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry
Workup:
A complete history and physical exam will be performed. The diagnosis can usually be made based upon these alone. Occasionally, blood or imaging tests may be ordered to exclude other diagnoses.
Tests:
Blood alcohol level (BAC), Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Urine toxicology screen
Specialists:
Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry
Treatment
Treatment is varied. Medications, including stimulants, anticonvulsants and lithium, have been used with some success. Psychological therapy, specifically parent management training (PMT), has also been successfully used.