Question

Read the case and answer the question that follows.

Malay, a student of class IX, was referred to a mental health clinic with complaints of stealing money, excessive lying, setting fire to household items, teasing young girls of the locality, and passing lewd remarks and making obscene gestures. The onset was about three years ago and has increased over the past eight months. Of late, he has started using alcohol and spending more time outdoors with friends of similar interests. School reports suggested the gradual development of inappropriate behaviours such as openly defying rules in school, playing truant, instigating fellow students to pass silly remarks in class, and disrespectful attitude towards elders ultimately resulting in frequent school absenteeism, mixing with local goons, and excessive aggression. Further investigation revealed that the family history is disturbed, the relationship with the father was extremely hostile and there were frequent conflicts among the family members. Birth and developmental milestones are normal.

The symptoms that Malay is exhibiting are different from the symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Justify this statement.

Answer 1

Conduct Disorder: The terms conduct disorder and antisocial behaviour refer to age-inappropriate actions and attitudes that violate family expectations, societal norms, and the personal or property rights of others. The behaviours typical of conduct disorder include aggressive actions that cause or threaten harm to people or animals, nonaggressive conduct that causes property damage, major deceitfulness or theft, and serious rule violations.

ODD: The disorders included under this category are Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder and others. Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) display age-inappropriate amounts of stubbornness, are irritable, defiant, disobedient, and behave in a hostile manner. Individuals with ODD do not see themselves as angry, oppositional, or defiant and often justify their behaviour as a reaction to circumstances/demands. Thus, the symptoms of the disorder become entangled with problematic interactions with others.