There are three main oppositional behavior disorders, known as disruptive behavior disorders in the DSM-IV-TR: conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and disruptive behavior disorder not otherwise specified. If your child or teen is extremely difficult to handle, becomes angry or enraged often, deliberately hurts others and breaks rules at home and school, he may meet the criteria for one of these disorders.
Conduct Disorder
To be diagnosed with conduct disorder, a child or teen would have to display at least three of the following behaviors within the past 12 months. Such potential behaviors include aggression to people and animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness or theft and serious violations of rules. The child or teen must have displayed one of these behaviors in the past six months. When diagnosing this disorder, mental health professionals need to specify the age of onset, with the severity ranging from mild to severe.
Some examples of behaviors of a child or teen with conduct disorder include bullying, physically fighting with others, harming or killing animals, setting fires, stealing from friends and family members and running away from home. These children and teens seem extremely difficult to handle at home. Treatment for this disorder includes medication and therapy.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
According to the Mayo Clinic, one in ten children may struggle with oppositional defiant disorder. To be diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder there needs to be a pattern of specific behaviors lasting at least six months. Children and teens with this disorder lose their temper on a regular basis, argue with their parents and teachers, actively defy rules and deliberately try to annoy people. They also blame others for their mistakes, become easily annoyed, seem angry and resentful and are vindictive.
The behavior must cause significant issues at home, school and in dealing with peers. The behaviors cannot occur with a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder. If the child or teen meets the criteria for both conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder, she would be diagnosed with conduct disorder. Treatment for this disorder includes medication and therapy.
Disruptive Behavior Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
Children and teens who meet most but not all of the criteria for conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder would be given this diagnosis. To be diagnosed with this disorder, a child or teen would have significant impairment in social, academic and home settings. He would receive the same type of treatment for conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder and could possibly receive one of the diagnoses in the future if he meets the full criteria.
