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About Conduct Disorder Support (CDS)
Are you the parent of a child with Conduct Disorder? Feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and unsure where to turn? You're not alone.
I’m Sarah, and I created Conduct Disorder Support to offer the support and understanding I wish I had when my family was struggling. This page is your guide to who we are, what we offer, and why we’re here.
Together, we can navigate the challenges of CD and find strength in shared experiences. Let’s explore how we can support you on your journey…
Hi there, I'm Sarah
Like many of you reading this, I am the parent of a child with Conduct Disorder.
My family’s personal experience with Conduct Disorder quickly led me to a bleak realisation: the lack of support for parents in our position is staggering.
While other childhood conditions garner sympathy and readily available resources, parents of children with CD are often left to navigate this tumultuous condition by themselves.
Even well-meaning friends and family often struggle to appreciate the severity and complexities of the situation fully. Understandably, if you aren’t living it, you just don’t get it.
Regrettably, this left me and so many parents like me, feeling isolated, unheard, and unsupported.
Full Transparency: This isn’t a picture of me and “Sarah Steadfast” is a pen name to ensure my family’s privacy. Considering the sensitive nature of some topics discussed on this site and that they often involve minors, we encourage using pseudonyms to protect everyone’s privacy. This allows us to cultivate a safe and supportive environment where members feel comfortable sharing openly and get the support they need.
Uncovering the Challenges
Common Obstacles on the CD Journey
Like many other parents before me, I encountered countless obstacles on my journey with CD. From the overwhelming lack of support and resources to the strain on our family dynamics, daily life felt like a relentless battle. Here’s a glimpse into some of the biggest challenges we faced…
Lack of Support & Resources
Information Overload, Yet No Parent Support:
Finding reliable information can be a struggle; it can be scarce and conflicting, making it difficult to understand the condition, let alone develop effective management and coping strategies. Plus, most resources focus solely on the child’s needs, leaving you feeling lost and unsupported in navigating your own emotions and the impact of CD on your family.
A Global Support Gap:
Unlike so many other conditions, there’s a critical lack of dedicated support systems for families facing CD. This global gap extends to online resources, support groups, and even training programs for professionals. This isolation intensifies the emotional toll and makes it incredibly difficult to find relevant guidance and support.
Emotional & Relational Strain
Daily Life Strain and Emotional Impact:
The constant stress, emotional burden, and relentless demands can profoundly impact your well-being. This can lead to a cascade of issues, including anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, anger, helplessness, and even physical health problems. The emotional toll can significantly impact your ability to manage daily tasks and challenges effectively, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and depleted.
Self-Care Struggle:
The constant demands of raising a child with CD can make finding time for self-care nearly impossible. This lack of self-care can lead to burnout, further impacting your ability to manage the challenges at home and care for yourself and your other family members.
Strain on Romantic Relationships:
The stress and emotional drain of parenting a child with CD can create significant tension in romantic partnerships. Disagreements over discipline, feelings of resentment, and the overwhelming exhaustion can all contribute to conflict and, in some cases, relationship breakdown.
Strained Social Connections:
The immense stress and exhaustion of raising a child with CD can make it incredibly difficult to maintain social connections. Parents may withdraw from friends and family, unintentionally creating distance and feelings of isolation. This lack of social support can further exacerbate the emotional toll on parents.
Systemic Barriers & Misunderstandings
Healthcare System Hurdles:
Finding qualified mental health professionals with expertise in CD can be difficult. Misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment plans are all too common, leaving parents feeling frustrated, confused, and responsible for navigating a complex healthcare system with limited understanding of CD.
Educational Challenges:
Children with CD often struggle in school due to behavioural issues or learning difficulties. This can create a complex situation for parents navigating the education system, as finding the right support and accommodations may require additional advocacy and navigating complex bureaucracies.
Misjudgment and Blame:
Facing judgment from professionals (teachers, social workers, even mental health workers) who may mistakenly attribute the behaviour solely to parental factors can be incredibly hurtful and discouraging. Moreover, the fear of unfounded abuse accusations can further prevent parents from seeking help, delaying crucial intervention and support.
Additional Stressors
Financial Strain:
Therapy, medication, the potential damage caused by the child, and lost work time due to appointments or behavioural issues can create significant financial burdens for families. This financial strain can add another layer of stress and anxiety for parents already struggling to manage the challenges of CD.
Legal Challenges:
In some cases, children with CD may engage in behaviours that lead to involvement with the legal system. This can create a whole new set of challenges for parents, including navigating legal processes, dealing with potential consequences, and advocating for their child’s rights.
Impact on Siblings:
The behaviours of a child with CD can take an emotional toll on siblings. They may feel confused, scared, or even neglected due to the additional attention their sibling requires. Parents often find themselves stretched thin, with limited resources and support specifically designed to help siblings cope with the challenges of having a brother or sister with CD.
These are just some of the obstacles we encountered on our journey with CD. Every family's experience is unique, and there are likely countless other challenges we haven't touched on.
This is why we created Conduct Disorder Support – to offer a safe space where parents can share their stories, find support, and connect with others who truly understand the complexities of raising a child with CD.
Sarah Steadfast, Founder Conduct Disorder Support
Strength in Community
Why Conduct Disorder Support?
Conduct Disorder Support was founded to address the profound need for a safe space where parents can access understanding, support, and practical guidance.
The platform aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate CD’s complexities while fostering a sense of community and belonging.
We believe that when empowered with the right tools and support, parents are stronger and more capable than they often realise. And together we can raise more awareness, and find hope for having joy and peace in our lives.
Most importantly, we want you to know that you are not alone. You are seen and heard, and the unique challenges you face are understood.
A bit more about me
My Qualifications Beyond Lived Experience
My diverse background in nursing, digital media, and business & life coaching, along with my lived experience as a parent of a child with CD, has equipped me with a unique skill set to run the Conduct Disorder Support platform.
I’m also passionate about lifelong learning and continuously exploring new avenues in personal development, self-care, and various therapies. In addition to utilising what I have learned from life coaching, I am also currently working towards obtaining a Diploma in Counselling.
This ongoing learning journey allows me to not only better support myself and my family but also share these valuable insights with the Conduct Disorder Support community.
Our Tree of Resilience
Conduct Disorder Support: Supporting You
Whether you seek guidance, understanding, or simply a place to connect with others who understand your journey, we're here for you
Our Tree of Resilience embodies our mission: Roots symbolise support and stability, branches represent growth and empowerment, and leaves signify community and interconnectedness.
Join our nurturing community today to access support, guidance, and understanding on your journey with Conduct Disorder. Visit our ‘Join Our Community’ page to learn more about becoming a member and accessing the resources you need.
Download Our FREE Guide
Does explaining your child's Conduct Disorder leave you exhausted and your loved ones unsure how to help?
We’ve created a free guide about how to support families with a child who has Conduct Disorder just for you. Share it with your loved ones so they can understand your situation and are better equipped to support you!
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