Management of conduct disorder

Summary: Conduct disorder (CD) and associated antisocial behavior is one of the most common mental and behavioral problems in children and young people. CD are characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of dissocial, aggressive, or defiant conduct (ICD-10). Behaviors include stealing and lying, excessive physical and verbal aggression, rule breaking and violence. These clinical practice guidelines provide a method to differentiate between normalcy and pathological behavior and assess for  co-morbidities that can negatively affects clinical picture and outcome. The treating doctor must build a good rapport with the parents as well as with the child. Treatment should start with psychoeducating the patient and his parents/caretakers about the disorder and its potential complications and long-term consequences and outcome. The contingency management programs involve (1) Setting behavioral goals that slowly shape a child’s behavior in specific areas of interest. (2) To monitor systematically whether the child is achieving these goals, (3) Positive reinforcement in taking steps in the direction of reaching these goals, and (4) Penalty for undesired behavior.

Authors: Rajesh Sagar, Bichitra N. Patra, Vaibhav Patil

Year of Publication: January-2019