ABSTRACT
Conduct disorders constitute the largest single group of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents and are the main reason for referral to child and adolescent mental health services. There are a number of risk factors that can predispose children to conduct disorders. Children with a difficult temperament, brain damage, epilepsy, chronic illness, and cognitive deficits are more prone to conduct disorders. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a diagnosis most commonly used in relation to younger children and is defined as a milder form of conduct disorder. The twelve-month period prevalence estimates for depression are approximately 1 per cent for pre-pubertal children and around 3 per cent for post-pubertal adolescents. Social workers involved in working with children and young people who have eating problems should be alert to the possibility that is an indicator of sexual abuse. It includes transitions to a range of services, including adult mental health services, housing, support services in colleges and universities and adult social care.
