The Nexus Teen Academy editorial and clinical team is dedicated to providing informative and accurate content to help families who are struggling with adolescent behavioral health problems. The editorial team works directly with the clinical team to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
To do this, our team uses the following editorial guidelines:
We generally only cite government and peer-reviewed studies
Scientific claims and data are backed by qualified sources
Content is updated to ensure we are citing the most up-to-date data and information
Clinically reviewed by Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC
Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC
Hannah graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. She began her work as a therapist 12 years ago in South Phoenix with an intensive outpatient program for teens and their families. She joined Nexus in the residential program as the clinical director, eventually being promoted to the executive director, creating and building the clinical program structure and a strong culture focused on redirecting the trajectory of young lives.
The Nexus Teen Academy Editorial Staff is composed of writers, editors, and clinical reviewers with many years of experience writing about mental health and behavioral health treatment. Our team utilizes peer-reviewed, clinical studies from sources like SAMHSA to ensure we provide the most accurate and current information.
Adolescence is one of the most challenging times for any parent. It causes teenagers to undergo drastic changes in their behavior and emotions. As a parent or guardian, it can be difficult to differentiate between normal teenage behavior and conduct disorders in teens. Your teenager may become rebellious, defiant, or even rude during adolescence.
While these behaviors can be a regular part of growing up, they may signify an underlying mental health issue. Teenagers who repeatedly become aggressive, defiant, or violent may have a conduct disorder. This condition is treatable with the aid of experts.
This article seeks to guide parents, guardians, and caregivers on conduct disorders. It will highlight its signs and symptoms, causes, and treatment options. For further information about conduct disorder, contactNexus Teen Academy’s websitetoday for immediate help.
What Is Conduct Disorder in Teens?
Conduct disorders are a group of emotional and behavioral conditions that are characterized by a willful disregard for others’ safety. They cause teenagers to behave in aggressive and sometimes violent ways. Teens with conduct disorders are often labeled as ‘delinquent,’ ‘troubled,’ or ‘bad’ kids. In most families, parents may call their teenagers “the black sheep of the family.”
Conduct disorders occur in children and teenagers. They cause teenagers to have trouble following the rules or behaving in a way that is believed to be “socially acceptable.” If your teen has a conduct disorder, they may be uncharacteristically cruel to people or animals. They may bully or hurt their siblings or peers. They may also become cruel to their pets or other animals. In some cases, teens with conduct disorders engage in acts of vandalism, destruction of property, or even arson.
Differentiating conduct disorders (CD) from oppositional defiant behavior (ODD) can be difficult.Teen oppositional defiant disordercan be described as a less severe form of CD. It is characterized by argumentative, rebellious, or disobedient behavior. On the other hand, conduct disorders are much more severe. They cause teens to be cruel to others. They are also characterized by much more serious behavior, like fighting, destruction of property, and theft. Additionally, ODD may occur much earlier in life and often leads to conduct disorders.
Common Signs of Conduct Disorder in Teens
Teenagers with conduct disorders may exhibit alarming signs and symptoms. As a parent or guardian, you should learn to differentiate between everyday teenage rebellion and conduct disorders. The following are common signs of conduct disorder:
Aggressive Behaviors
Teens with conduct disorders may exhibit the following aggressive behaviors:
Increased aggression towards others
Cruelty to animals
Bullying
Verbal assault
Getting into frequent fights over small issues
Sexual assault
Threatening to harm others
Using weapons to threaten or harm others
Deceitful or Destructive Actions
Persistent lying to get out of trouble
Conning others or lying to obtain favors
Intentionally setting things on fire
Property destruction
Vandalism and defacing of property
Shoplifting or stealing from home
Burglary and housebreaking
Forgery
Serious Rule Violations
Frequent breaking of rules
Refusing to go to school
Skipping class
Running away
Staying out late without permission
Chronic defiance of authority figures
Behavioral and Emotional Signs of Conduct Disorders
Having difficulty forming or maintaining friendships or relationships
A lack of remorse for one’s actions
Irritability
Engaging in risky behavior such as unsafe sex or drug and substance abuse
If your teenager exhibits a combination of these behaviors, it may signify that they have a conduct disorder.
What Causes Conduct Disorder in Teens?
A complex interplay between genetic, environmental, and social factors causes conduct disorder. The following are the causes of conduct disorder:
Genetic and Biological Factors
Conduct disorder, like many other mental health conditions, has a genetic component. Teenagers who have a first-degree relative with mood disorders and other mental health conditions are more likely to develop conduct disorder. Traits like temperament, aggression, and impulsivity can be inherited. This suggests that the development of conduct disorder in teens can be partly attributed to genetics.
Research suggests that teens withdefects in their frontal lobes are more likely to develop conduct disorder. The frontal lobe is responsible for judgment, impulse control, and emotional awareness. When your teen’s frontal lobe is defective or damaged, it may cause them to become aggressive, impulsive, and violent. Teens with conduct disorder have a willful disregard for others, attributing it to a defective frontal lobe. The relation between the frontal lobe and conduct disorder is further solidified by the fact that teens who have experienced brain injuries are more likely to develop the condition.
A teen’s conduct disorder may be caused by environmental and social factors. Teenagers who have experienced past traumatic events are at an increased risk of developing the disorder. Trauma rewires the brain and can cause teenagers to be impulsive and aggressive. Teens who grow up in families where they witness domestic violence or are the victims of abuse are more likely to develop the condition. They grow up witnessing violence and can adopt the behavior as they believe it is normal.
Similarly, teenagers from underprivileged backgrounds are at an increased risk of developing the condition. Teens from disadvantaged backgrounds experience economic stress, which can lead to the development of negative behaviors associated with conduct disorder. Similarly, they are more likely to receive less parental supervision than teens from other households. This can make them more aggressive and defiant.
As teens grow, they may also experience negative peer influence. Violence, aggression, and defiance are often seen as cool. They can also be a mark that separates teenagers from children. As a result, your teen may engage in behaviors that meet the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder in order to be accepted by their peers.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is diagnosed using the criteria laid down in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In order for your teen to be diagnosed with CD, they need to meet the following criteria:
A. Consistent and repetitive behavior that can be described as a willful disregard for others’ safety and is not appropriate societal behavior. The behavior should have persisted for a period of twelve months and include at least three of the following behaviors:
Aggression towards people and animals
Bullying or threatening to intimidate others
Initiating acts of physical violence
Using weapons to threaten or cause serious harm
Cruelty to people
Animal cruelty
Stealing while confronting the victims
Sexual assault or using coercion or force to engage in sexual activity
Willful destruction of property
Intentionally starting fires
Being deceitful
Housebreaking
Lying to gain favors
Stealing items without confronting the victim
Serious rule violations
Staying out late and without permission
Running away from home
Truancy from school
B. These behaviors should cause significant impairment in your teen’s daily functioning.
C. The criteria for antisocial personality disorder should not be met for individuals aged 18 and above.
Treatment Options for Teens with Conduct Disorder
Teens with conduct disorder are primarily treated using the following methods:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is one of the most popular psychotherapy approaches for treating conduct disorder. It is based on the idea that thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. CBT teaches teens to identify and modify negative thought patterns. In doing so, teenagers can replace negative thoughts with more positive ones, which will ultimately affect their emotions and behaviors.
Parent management training: PMT is a strategy that focuses on helping parents improve their teens’ behavior by modifying their own behavior. It teaches parents how to use skills like positive reinforcement to model positive teen behavior.
Anger management lessons: Teens with conduct disorders can benefit from anger management lessons, which equip them with the skills required to manage and overcome negative emotions.
How Nexus Teen Academy Supports Teens with Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorders can make you lose hope for your teen. However, these disorders are treatable and manageable. At Nexus Teen Academy, we specialize in treating teen mental health conditions. Our comprehensive and compassionate approach is designed to cater to your teen’s individual needs.
We will equip your teen with the necessary skills to overcome their conduct disorder. We use evidence-based and holistic approaches to ensure positive mental health outcomes. For more information about our conduct disorder treatment programs,contact ustoday.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
At what age does conduct disorder usually appear in teens?
The age of onset of conduct disorder varies from person to person. It can begin as early as 10 years old. However, it usually appears in teens as they begin puberty or enter adolescence.
Can a teen grow out of conduct disorder?
Yes, teenagers with conduct disorder may grow out of it. They learn effective coping mechanisms as they grow, leading to a decrease and ultimate cessation of the defiant, rebellious, and destructive behavior.
Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC and nexus_admin
Conduct Disorder in Teens: What Is It?
FACT CHECKED
The Nexus Teen Academy editorial and clinical team is dedicated to providing informative and accurate content to help families who are struggling with adolescent behavioral health problems. The editorial team works directly with the clinical team to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
To do this, our team uses the following editorial guidelines:
Clinically reviewed by Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC
Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC
Hannah graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. She began her work as a therapist 12 years ago in South Phoenix with an intensive outpatient program for teens and their families. She joined Nexus in the residential program as the clinical director, eventually being promoted to the executive director, creating and building the clinical program structure and a strong culture focused on redirecting the trajectory of young lives.
Published By Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy
The Nexus Teen Academy Editorial Staff is composed of writers, editors, and clinical reviewers with many years of experience writing about mental health and behavioral health treatment. Our team utilizes peer-reviewed, clinical studies from sources like SAMHSA to ensure we provide the most accurate and current information.
Published On November 1, 2025
Table of Contents
Adolescence is one of the most challenging times for any parent. It causes teenagers to undergo drastic changes in their behavior and emotions. As a parent or guardian, it can be difficult to differentiate between normal teenage behavior and conduct disorders in teens. Your teenager may become rebellious, defiant, or even rude during adolescence.
While these behaviors can be a regular part of growing up, they may signify an underlying mental health issue. Teenagers who repeatedly become aggressive, defiant, or violent may have a conduct disorder. This condition is treatable with the aid of experts.
This article seeks to guide parents, guardians, and caregivers on conduct disorders. It will highlight its signs and symptoms, causes, and treatment options. For further information about conduct disorder, contact Nexus Teen Academy’s website today for immediate help.
What Is Conduct Disorder in Teens?
Conduct disorders are a group of emotional and behavioral conditions that are characterized by a willful disregard for others’ safety. They cause teenagers to behave in aggressive and sometimes violent ways. Teens with conduct disorders are often labeled as ‘delinquent,’ ‘troubled,’ or ‘bad’ kids. In most families, parents may call their teenagers “the black sheep of the family.”
Conduct disorders occur in children and teenagers. They cause teenagers to have trouble following the rules or behaving in a way that is believed to be “socially acceptable.” If your teen has a conduct disorder, they may be uncharacteristically cruel to people or animals. They may bully or hurt their siblings or peers. They may also become cruel to their pets or other animals. In some cases, teens with conduct disorders engage in acts of vandalism, destruction of property, or even arson.
Differentiating conduct disorders (CD) from oppositional defiant behavior (ODD) can be difficult. Teen oppositional defiant disorder can be described as a less severe form of CD. It is characterized by argumentative, rebellious, or disobedient behavior. On the other hand, conduct disorders are much more severe. They cause teens to be cruel to others. They are also characterized by much more serious behavior, like fighting, destruction of property, and theft. Additionally, ODD may occur much earlier in life and often leads to conduct disorders.
Common Signs of Conduct Disorder in Teens
Teenagers with conduct disorders may exhibit alarming signs and symptoms. As a parent or guardian, you should learn to differentiate between everyday teenage rebellion and conduct disorders. The following are common signs of conduct disorder:
Aggressive Behaviors
Deceitful or Destructive Actions
Serious Rule Violations
Behavioral and Emotional Signs of Conduct Disorders
If your teenager exhibits a combination of these behaviors, it may signify that they have a conduct disorder.
What Causes Conduct Disorder in Teens?
A complex interplay between genetic, environmental, and social factors causes conduct disorder. The following are the causes of conduct disorder:
Genetic and Biological Factors
Conduct disorder, like many other mental health conditions, has a genetic component. Teenagers who have a first-degree relative with mood disorders and other mental health conditions are more likely to develop conduct disorder. Traits like temperament, aggression, and impulsivity can be inherited. This suggests that the development of conduct disorder in teens can be partly attributed to genetics.
Research suggests that teens with defects in their frontal lobes are more likely to develop conduct disorder. The frontal lobe is responsible for judgment, impulse control, and emotional awareness. When your teen’s frontal lobe is defective or damaged, it may cause them to become aggressive, impulsive, and violent. Teens with conduct disorder have a willful disregard for others, attributing it to a defective frontal lobe. The relation between the frontal lobe and conduct disorder is further solidified by the fact that teens who have experienced brain injuries are more likely to develop the condition.
Conduct disorder is also more likely to be diagnosed in teenagers with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), antisocial personality disorder, and other mood disorders.
Environmental and Social Factors
A teen’s conduct disorder may be caused by environmental and social factors. Teenagers who have experienced past traumatic events are at an increased risk of developing the disorder. Trauma rewires the brain and can cause teenagers to be impulsive and aggressive. Teens who grow up in families where they witness domestic violence or are the victims of abuse are more likely to develop the condition. They grow up witnessing violence and can adopt the behavior as they believe it is normal.
Similarly, teenagers from underprivileged backgrounds are at an increased risk of developing the condition. Teens from disadvantaged backgrounds experience economic stress, which can lead to the development of negative behaviors associated with conduct disorder. Similarly, they are more likely to receive less parental supervision than teens from other households. This can make them more aggressive and defiant.
As teens grow, they may also experience negative peer influence. Violence, aggression, and defiance are often seen as cool. They can also be a mark that separates teenagers from children. As a result, your teen may engage in behaviors that meet the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder in order to be accepted by their peers.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is diagnosed using the criteria laid down in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In order for your teen to be diagnosed with CD, they need to meet the following criteria:
A. Consistent and repetitive behavior that can be described as a willful disregard for others’ safety and is not appropriate societal behavior. The behavior should have persisted for a period of twelve months and include at least three of the following behaviors:
B. These behaviors should cause significant impairment in your teen’s daily functioning.
C. The criteria for antisocial personality disorder should not be met for individuals aged 18 and above.
Treatment Options for Teens with Conduct Disorder
Teens with conduct disorder are primarily treated using the following methods:
How Nexus Teen Academy Supports Teens with Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorders can make you lose hope for your teen. However, these disorders are treatable and manageable. At Nexus Teen Academy, we specialize in treating teen mental health conditions. Our comprehensive and compassionate approach is designed to cater to your teen’s individual needs.
We will equip your teen with the necessary skills to overcome their conduct disorder. We use evidence-based and holistic approaches to ensure positive mental health outcomes. For more information about our conduct disorder treatment programs, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The age of onset of conduct disorder varies from person to person. It can begin as early as 10 years old. However, it usually appears in teens as they begin puberty or enter adolescence.
Yes, teenagers with conduct disorder may grow out of it. They learn effective coping mechanisms as they grow, leading to a decrease and ultimate cessation of the defiant, rebellious, and destructive behavior.