Disruptive, impulse control and conduct disorders are a group of disorders that are linked by varying difficulties in controlling aggressive behaviors, self-control, and impulses. Typically, the resulting behaviors or actions are considered a threat primarily to others’ safety and/or to societal norms. Some examples of these issues include fighting, destroying property, defiance, stealing, lying, and rule breaking. These disorders are:
- Oppositional defiant disorder
- Intermittent explosive disorder
- Conduct disorder
- Other specified disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorder
- Unspecified disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorder
Problematic behaviors and issues with self-control associated with these disorders are typically first observed in childhood and can persist into adulthood. In general, disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders tend to be more common in males than females, with the exception of kleptomania.