Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders

The two disruptive behavioral disorders of childhood—oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder—are included in this new DSM-5 category, which also includes impulse control disorders, pyromania, and kleptomania. A key feature of each of these disorders is a lack of emotional or behavioral self-control. The complete list of disorders that comprise the disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders category includes: oppositional defiant disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, pyromania, kleptomania, other specified disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorder, unspecified disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorder. This chapter focuses on disorders that usually begin before the age of 18 and are generally related to disruptive childhood behavior. It begins with a description of Nolan, an 8-year-old boy who has been referred to the school guidance counselor as a result of his oppositional behavior.