What is it?

Conduct disorder describes a group of psychiatric conditions characterized by behavioral and emotional problems, usually beginning during childhood or adolescence. Patients with conduct disorder show a persistent behavioral pattern outside of social norms, especially rule-breaking or violating other people's rights. About 35% of patients will be diagnosed later in life as having "antisocial personality disorder," a personality disorder diagnosed by definition after 18 years old. There is no single cause for conduct disorder. Genetic and environmental causes are involved, and risk factors include child abuse, dysfunctional family, and head trauma or disease.