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

Aggressive behaviors are frequently observed in patients with attention-deficit/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 different types of aggressive behaviors observed. Numerous uncontrolled studies with small sample sizes have produced mixed results of pharmacologic agents now being used to treat aggression. This article discusses the phenomenology, etiology, assessment, and pharmacologic treatment of aggressive behavior in patients who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and pervasive developmental disorders.