Aggressive behavior in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders

Aggressive behaviors are frequently observed in patients with attention-def icit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders. Several theories have been postulated to explain the etiology of aggression in these disorders, but no one theory can account for all the d ifferent types of aggressive behaviors observed. Numerous uncontrolled stud ies with small sample sizes have produced mixed results of pharmacologic ag ents now being used to treat aggression. This article discusses the phenome nology, etiology, assessment, and pharmacologic treatment of aggressive beh avior in patients who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduc t disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders.