Externalizing Disorders

Externalizing disorders are psychological disorders characterized by behaviors that are often aggressive outward facing, maladaptive behaviors directed toward an individual's environment, family, or community, which cause impairment or interference in life functioning. 

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): A disorder in a child marked by defiant and disobedient behavior to authority figures. The cause of oppositional defiant disorder is unknown but likely involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors. 

Symptoms generally begin before a child is eight years old. They include irritable mood, argumentative and defiant behavior, aggression, and vindictiveness that last more than six months and cause significant problems at home or school. Treatment involves individual and family therapy. 

Conduct Disorder (CD): A type of behavior disorder where a child has antisocial behavior. Conduct Disorder is characterized by a disregard for basic social standards and rules.  

Symptoms include: being irresponsible, skipping school or running away from home, stealing or doing other things to violate the rights of others (delinquent behavior), causing physical harm to animals or other people. These behaviors sometimes happen together. But one or more may occur without the others.