ADHD and Conduct Disorder in Teens: Changing Bad Behaviors

Misinterpreting the Signs: When “Bad Behavior” Disguise Deeper Issues

Signs of conduct disorder and ADHD in children and teens mirror general signs of behavioral issues affecting at-risk youth. Unfortunately, so-called “bad behavior” in teens is often mistakenly attributed to adolescents simply “testing” their boundaries with parents and teachers.

Instead of receiving the kind of professional, empathetic treatment they need, parents may be told by counselors and even law enforcement that the best thing they could do is send their troubled teen to boot camp.

In fact, sending an at-risk youth to a boot camp is the worst thing parents could do to a teenager suffering from ADHD or conduct disorder. Both are serious psychological problems that commonly co-exist and require specific treatment programs to adequately address them.

Only a therapeutic boarding school or residential treatment center can offer evidence-based counseling and skills enhancement to help at-risk youth. Boot camps will only worsen symptoms of ADHD and conduct disorder in teens due to their militaristic, brutish method of “disciplining” troubled youth.

Interested in learning more about how to effectively manage ADHD in your teen? Our Parent Guide Teens with ADHD provides a comprehensive resource with practical strategies and support.

Remember, recognizing the difference between typical teenage behavior and signs of a deeper issue is crucial for ensuring your teen gets the help they need to thrive.

Understanding Conduct Disorder in Adolescents

Teens diagnosed with conduct disorder (CD) engage in a pattern of aggressively defiant behaviors that do not respond normally to consequences.

For example, a parent’s four-year-old regularly pulls his two-year-old sister’s hair for no reason until she cries out from pain. He remains unemotional to her obvious distress and does not seem to care about “getting in trouble”.

In kindergarten, the boy does not listen to his teacher, is involved in numerous playground scuffles and develops a reputation among his classmates as a bully.

ADHD vs Conduct Disorder: Key Symptoms and Prevalence

Want a deeper Understanding of Conduct Disorder in Teenagers with ADHD? Our article provides a deeper look into ADHD, CD and ODD and explores the differences between treatments.

Signs Your Teen Has a Conduct Disorder

Other signs of conduct disorder include:

Being cruel to animals
Anxiety, depression and/or panic disorder
Using a weapon to inflict harm on others. The weapon could be as small as a sharp pencil or as large and dangerous as a baseball bat.
Destroying another person’s property
Stealing, shoplifting, breaking into neighbors’ homes.
Truancy/refusing to go to school

Teenagers with CD often turn to substance abuse or self medication with OTC drugs to deal with the powerfully negative emotions they struggle with to process and understand. Using drugs and alcohol only exacerbates their CD and typically accelerates their encounters with law enforcement.

When signs of conduct disorder occur in children under 10 years old, psychologists refer to this type of CD as childhood onset type. Children with childhood-onset type conduct disorder generally have more symptoms of ADHD, severe academic issues, and an increased risk of behaving aggressively and/or violently.

Adolescent Onset of a Conduct Disorder

Alternately, adolescent-onset type conduct disorder affects only middle and high school kids. Research indicates that teens with adolescent-onset type CD present less impairment and more irregular aggressive behavior than childhood-onset type CD.

Additionally, teens with COTCD are much more likely to resolve and remit anti-social behaviors upon entering their 20s.

This leads to a pervasive belief among psychologists that many teens who are diagnosed with CD do not have conduct disorder but are merely presenting typical but exaggerated adolescent behavior–rebelling against parents/authority figures, exploring self-identity, rejecting conventional norms, etc.

Conduct Disorder in Teens: What is the Root Cause of Bad Behavior?

There are many factors that can affect the development of conduct disorder, it is more than “bad behavior.” Among them, their environment and biology which shape their choices and actions. However, some factors are out of their control.

Let’s review the risk factors that contribute to the development of conduct disorder:

Factor	Examples	What it Means
Family History	ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder	If a close relative has a mental health condition, it can increase a teen's risk of developing a conduct disorder.
Brain and Body	Differences in brain structure or function, exposure to toxins before birth, low resting heart rate	Sometimes, biological factors make it harder for a teen to control their impulses or manage emotions, making them more likely to act out.
Thoughts & Feelings	Difficulty managing anger, early aggression, trouble understanding language	Challenges with thinking and emotions can make it tough for teens to solve problems peacefully or understand consequences, leading to conflict.
Home Life	Violence, neglect, inconsistent rules, lots of fighting	Growing up in a chaotic or unstable home can leave a teen feeling unsafe and unsupported, making them more likely to act out to get attention or express frustration.
Friends & School	Hanging out with kids who get in trouble, struggling in school, feeling rejected by others	Negative influences from friends and a lack of success at school can make a teen feel like they don't belong, leading them to seek out belonging in the wrong places or through misbehavior.
The Bigger Picture	Cultural acceptance of aggression, societal norms promoting violence	The messages teens get from their culture and community can shape how they view aggression and rule-breaking. In some places, these behaviors might be more common or even encouraged.

How are Conduct Disorders Diagnosed

Conduct disorder isn’t always easy to spot because it can look like ADHD or an anxiety disorder. A doctor will ask about your child’s behavior over time—including at home, at school, and with friends—to figure out if their behavior is consistent with conduct disorder symptoms.

If your child is diagnosed with CD, they will need to be treated by a psychiatrist or psychologist regularly for therapy sessions that focus on helping them learn how to manage and regulate their emotions.

How ADHD and Conduct Disorder Symptoms Overlap

An at risk teen diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have symptoms overlapping symptoms of conduct disorder. This co-occurrence presents unique challenges, as these teens often experience:

Minimal attention spans
Severe social anxiety
Low self-esteem
Potential neurodevelopmental issues
Poor academic performance

In addition, teens with both ADHD and CD may lack social skills, empathy and an awareness of the importance of conventional societal norms.

Evidence-Based Treatment Options for Conduct Disorder

The most effective treatment for conduct disorder requires a team effort and a combination of medications along with intensive behavior therapies like Behavioral therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Parent Management Training (PMT).

Stimulants or mood stabilizers can help manage symptoms and co-occurring issues like ADHD, easing aggression and impulsivity. Unfortunately, finding the right combination of medications takes trial and error and prescriptions work best when combined with other treatments.

The right combination of therapy and medication is a game-changer that addresses the biological and emotional sides of conduct disorders.

When symptoms spiral out of control and a teen’s behaviors become a serious risk to themselves or others, is there a safe haven where they can get the intensive support they need? Therapeutic boarding schools may offer a solution.

Why Therapeutic Boarding Schools Are a Solution For CD and ADHD

Therapeutic boarding schools offer a comprehensive approach to the complex needs of teens with ADHD and CD. These schools offer:

Experienced Professionals: Licensed counselors, teachers, and psychologists who specialize in working with troubled youth.
Evidence-Based Therapies: Various psychotherapeutic techniques tailored to individual needs.
Structured Environment: A non-distracting setting that promotes focus and learning.

Boot camps DO NOT provide an at-risk teen with the attention, patience, and special academic programs they need to help them resolve negative attitudinal and thought patterns.

Unlike boot camps, therapeutic boarding schools prioritize:

Individualized Attention: Recognizing that each teen’s needs are unique, they offer individualized academic plans that address a teen’s own learning style.
Patience and Support: Fostering a nurturing environment that encourages growth.
Specialized Academic Programs: Tailored to address learning styles and challenges.

How Therapeutic Boarding Schools Promote Positive Change

Therapeutic boarding schools create an environment where teens can learn to:

Cope with and Redirect Impulsive Behaviors: Developing self-regulation skills to manage ADHD symptoms.
Improve Communication and Social Skills: Learning effective ways to interact with others and build healthy relationships.
Enhance Academic Skills: Through individualized academic plans that cater to their specific learning style.
Develop Respect for Rules and Boundaries: Understanding the importance of societal norms and the benefits of cooperation.

Features of Excellent Therapeutic Boarding Schools

When choosing a therapeutic boarding school for your teen, look for these key features:

Individualized Academic Plans: Addressing each teen’s unique learning needs.
Focus on Communication and Self-Regulation: Teaching skills to manage impulsive behaviors and improve communication.
Outdoor Activities: Providing opportunities for physical activity, recreation, and connection with nature.
Medical Supervision: Ensuring proper management and administration of medication when necessary.

Finding the Right Fit for Your Teen

If your teen is struggling with ADHD and conduct disorder, we can help. Our team understands the challenges you’re facing and can connect you with the right therapeutic boarding school to meet your child’s needs.

Contact us today for a confidential consultation. We’ll take the time to learn about your child’s history, current treatment, and your goals for their future.

Other ADHD Resources:

Parent Guide: Top Alternative ADHD Schools

Residential Treatment for ADHD and ODD

Teen Behavior Assessment (Great Resource for ADHD Parents)

ADHD in Neurodivergent Teens: Challenges and Solutions

Speak to an expert about Why Teens with ADHD and Conduct Disorder Present At-Risk Behaviors and how it may help your child.

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