It is perfectly normal for children to have behaviors that are not appropriate on some occasions in life, being defiant, disobedient and even showing certain levels of aggressiveness.
This can be explained by the maturational stages of the child’s evolutionary development, in which there are some critical points in which inappropriate behavior can occur, and this does not mean the existence of any pathology.
There may also be behavioral changes in the presence of changes in daily dynamics, for example, when parents separate, there are changes of house or even with the arrival of younger siblings.
But it is important to know that having certain behaviors considered inappropriate is not the same as having a conduct disorder. What exactly are we talking about then? What is a conduct disorder and how to act as parents?
Conduct disorder in children: what are we really talking about?
According to the DSM-5 ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ), conduct disorder is defined as ” a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others, norms or social rules of one’s own are not respected. the age .”
This pattern must be manifested by the presence in the last 12 months of a series of symptoms (and at least one of these symptoms must have appeared in the last six months):
- Aggression to people and animals.
- Destruction of property.
- Deception or theft .
- Serious breach of the rules.
Thus, we are talking about a clinical disorder, which needs to be diagnosed by a professional trained to do so, and not the mere fact of disobeying on certain occasions or showing tantrums.
How is conduct disorder diagnosed?
As we said, conduct disorder must be diagnosed solely and exclusively by mental health personnel qualified for this purpose, whether it be a psychiatrist or a psychologist, who must carry out evaluative interviews that are complemented by the application of various projective and/or psychometric tests.
For this, the professional uses the aforementioned Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), which determines the criteria that the child must meet in order to consider the existence of a behavioral disorder. .
Compliance with a series of requirements
Among these criteria are various patterns of behavior that persist over time, with a temporality of no less than six months and that is characterized by disrespect for the rights of other people and even animals, reaching the point of harming other beings or objects. .
The presence of constant threats, exercise of cruelty to other living beings, if he is frequently involved in fights , robberies, fires, violence (physical, verbal, sexual), damage to property and/or use of weapons is also taken into account. It also includes absences from class, running away from home, leaving without parental permission, etc.
What do I do if my child has conduct disorder?
The first thing to do is go to a professional for a comprehensive assessment of the child, in order to have a real diagnosis.
It is important to make sure that it is attended by mental health professionals and not simply get a diagnosis lightly from third parties.
The importance of diagnosis and proper treatment
Once there is a diagnosis of conduct disorder, the psychotherapist will be able to start approaching the case , proposing different types of therapy depending on their specialty.
However, it should be specified that cognitive behavioral therapy (focused on modifying thoughts and behaviors) usually has very good results in these cases.
You may also need the support of psychoactive drugs to control any imbalances in brain chemistry, and this is a job that only a psychiatrist can do.
It is important to do what is necessary to receive treatment as soon as possible, since people with conduct disorder usually generate a lot of discomfort in the environments in which they are . They are children who can generate rejection in their classmates, who end up avoiding them.
They can also be a real challenge for parents, and if it is not treated in time and the child turns 18, it is no longer considered a behavioral disorder to give way to antisocial personality disorder.
A joint effort between school, parents and professionals
The treatment and intervention of a child with conduct disorder is a task that requires the coordination of specialists together with the family and the school.
self-knowledge
On the one hand, an individual therapeutic treatment must be carried out that allows the child to get to know himself better, recognize his behaviors, thoughts and emotions and generate new ways of coping with situations.
The role of the family
But this would not have positive effects if the family is not involved, so it is recommended that at the same time a psychotherapeutic approach be made with the entire family or at least with those closest to the children, who are involved in their upbringing
A diagnosis: a starting point
Finally, it should be said that the fact that a child is diagnosed with a behavioral disorder is not a sentence that everything will go wrong, nor is it a sign that you have done a bad job as a parent.
What’s more, having a diagnosis will help you take the necessary measures to prevent this situation from escalating, and above all, it will enhance the child’s well-being and their social and school adaptation, in addition to favoring a better family climate.
Photos | Cover (Freepik)
