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Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 1/2013

01-02-2013 | Review

Conduct disorders

Authors: Jan K. Buitelaar, Kirsten C. Smeets, Pierre Herpers, Floor Scheepers, Jeffrey Glennon, Nanda N. J. Rommelse

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Special Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Conduct disorder (CD) is a frequently occurring psychiatric disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of aggressive and non-aggressive rule breaking antisocial behaviours that lead to considerable burden for the patients themselves, their family and society. This review paper updates diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to CD in the light of the forthcoming DSM-5 definition. The diagnostic criteria for CD will remain unchanged in DSM-5, but the introduction of a specifier of CD with a callous-unemotional (CU) presentation is new. Linked to this, we discuss the pros and cons of various other ways to subtype aggression/CD symptoms. Existing guidelines for CD are, with few exceptions, already of a relatively older date and emphasize that clinical assessment should be systematic and comprehensive and based on a multi-informant approach. Non-medical psychosocial interventions are recommended as the first option for the treatment of CD. There is a role for medication in the treatment of comorbid syndromes and/or in case of insufficient response to psychosocial interventions and severe and dangerous aggressive and violent behaviours.
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Metadata
Title
Conduct disorders
Authors
Jan K. Buitelaar
Kirsten C. Smeets
Pierre Herpers
Floor Scheepers
Jeffrey Glennon
Nanda N. J. Rommelse
Publication date
01-02-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue Special Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-012-0361-y

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