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When Acting Out is Serious

Boys will be boys. This is true in most cultures. Boys, and even some girls, tend to be aggressive and adventurous. As families have changed, the aggressive and assertive children have fewer role models and fewer controls over their behavior. It is also a sad truth that illegal drugs are available in increasing amounts and in larger areas than every before. If children are not checked for their socially disruptive behavior early in life, it will very likely escalate as time passes. There are a couple of named disorders that describe this defiant and unruly behavior.

Conduct Disorder

Conduct Disorder paints a picture that is frighteningly similar to that of Antisocial Disorder. The main difference is that it describes children instead of adults. Children younger than ten years old may begin to exhibit signs of Conduct Disorder. If that is the case, the problem will probably long term. The later the misbehavior begins, the more likely it is to be a temporary condition.

Those children with this disorder engage in all sorts of malicious activities. Without regard for the feelings or well-being of others, the children will harm people and animals. Children who engage in activities that indicate Conduct Disorder will frequently be in physical fights. They may even use dangerous weapons that they make or acquire in some other way. They may also steal, engage in vandalism and break all kinds of important rules. Running away from home and staying out all night are early signs of the disorder. There is still significant debate about whether or not Conduct Disorder is a mental disorder or a behavioral issue.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Problems with Oppositional Defiant Disorder are not as serious or frightening as those associated with Conduct Disorder. Yet, living with a child that expresses symptoms of the disorder can be very trying and discouraging. The disorder will still begin in even young children. Children younger than eight years old commonly display the signs. Very often, the symptoms go away after the child matures past adolescence. Sometimes other mental disorders develop at that time, but sometimes, the child regains a normal life.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder is mainly associated with words and feelings rather than violent or destructive action. The symptoms of short temper, argumentative behavior and active defiance are not unusual characteristics in normal children at different stages of development. If these and other symptoms affect normal life significantly and persist for more than six months, there may be a problem. A child that seems to be out of control and consistently disobedient may be at risk for the disorder. Other symptoms include excessive anger and annoyance as well as consistent attempts to be annoying or spiteful.

Behavior problems can be frustrating and even frightening for parents. Since the parent is probably the best informed about the personality of his own child, he may be best able to try new strategies at reaching the child. Most of the time behavior problems are not righted by treatment, however. Nevertheless, at no time should wildly disobedient, aggressive or destructive behavior be condoned. Firm, consistent and loving reactions to the child may prove to be the most helpful.

Frances, Allen MD and First, Michael B. MD. Your Mental Health: A Layman's Guide to

the Psychiatrist's Bible. New York: Scribner, 1998.