While most children go through a phase when they struggle to control their behavior, if their lack of understanding about how their behavior affects others continues, it could be a sign of a conduct disorder. At Reform Psychiatry LLC in Smyrna, TN, La Vergne TN, & Murfreesboro TN, Jemima Mensah, PMHNP, diagnoses and treats conduct disorders to help your child improve their impulse control and behaviors. Call or make an appointment online today.
A conduct disorder is present when your child displays consistent and repetitive behaviors that violate social rules and disrupt harmony at home, school, or in other social situations. If your child has conduct disorder, they display the inappropriate behaviors in all settings. Their behavior impacts their ability to function and succeed academically and socially.
Conduct disorder causes specific categories of symptoms, including aggressive behaviors, destructive actions, deceitfulness, and severe rule violations. Common signs of a conduct disorder include:
Children, adolescents, and adults with conduct disorder also struggle with social interactions and are emotionally estranged. For example, they might not feel remorse about bad behavior or have no concern about the consequences of their actions.
Medical researchers and psychiatrists believe that conduct disorder is due to impairment in the frontal lobe of the brain. Some of the risk factors for conduct disorder include a history of:
If your child behaves inappropriately and shows other signs of conduct disorders, make an appointment for an assessment right away. Getting a diagnosis and starting treatment early can help your child learn to control and manage their impulses and behaviors, and develop empathy and other social skills.
At Reform Psychiatry LLC, Jemima offers customized treatment plans to help your child learn to manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. While children with conduct disorder are often uncooperative, Jemima is patient and committed to supporting your child and family. She works with children and their families and schools to help them develop and practice new skills.
Your child may benefit from individual, family, and group therapy. During individual therapy, your child may learn strategies to cope with their negative thoughts and feelings and control their impulses and negative behaviors. Family therapy helps your child develop empathy and understand how their actions affect others. During group therapy, your child continues to learn about how their behavior affects others and works on their interpersonal social skills.
Call Reform Psychiatry LLC or schedule a consultation online today if you’re concerned about conduct disorder.
