Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders

The world we live in is a social world, made up of social norms but also laws that must be respected. Learning to control our behavior in order to live peacefully within society is an important skill to acquire. Resolving disputes by attacking others, taking possession of goods through theft, or releasing anger by destroying things are behaviors that distance us from the social context and could lead to the restriction of personal freedom. Behaviors that violate the rights of others and contradict social norms fall under the category of Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders.

In these types of disorders, there are problems with self-control—not only of behavior but also of emotions (particularly anger).
These disorders typically first appear in childhood or adolescence.
We know that adolescence, in particular, is a time of rebellion, but when the above-mentioned behaviors become frequent, persistent, and have significant consequences on the individual’s life, they fall within the scope of these disorders.

The main Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) are:

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Intermittent Explosive Disorder
• Conduct Disorder
• Pyromania
• Kleptomania

Sources:

• American Psychiatric Association (2013) – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.)
• Bernhill, J. W. (2014) – DSM-5 Clinical Cases

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