What is a common feature of disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders?

A common feature of disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders is indeed challenges with emotional regulation and self-control. Individuals with these disorders often struggle to manage their emotions and impulses, leading to behaviors that are disruptive or violate social norms. This difficulty can manifest in various ways, such as aggression, defiance, or engaging in prohibited activities, which underscores their challenges with controlling their responses to stressors or frustrations.

These disorders are characterized by a pattern of behavior that involves not only disruptions in social or academic settings but also significant impairment in functioning due to difficulties in regulating emotions and managing impulses. These issues with self-control are crucial for understanding the underlying mechanisms of these disorders and inform therapeutic approaches aimed at improving emotional regulation skills.

In contrast, characteristics like high levels of social cooperation, minimized distress in social settings, or continuous behavioral improvement do not align with the diagnostic criteria or common manifestations of these disorders. In fact, individuals with these conditions typically experience heightened conflict in social relationships and face obstacles in exhibiting cooperative behaviors due to their impulsive actions and emotional dysregulation.