delinquency

delinquency

[diling′kwənsē]

Etymology: L, delinquere, to fail

1 negligence or failure to fulfill a duty or obligation.

2 an offense, fault, misdemeanor, or misdeed; a tendency to commit such acts. See also juvenile delinquency.

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delinquency

Psychology The participation in any of a number of antisocial acts–eg, truancy, vandalism, sexual promiscuity, shoplifting, gang wars, homicide; delinquency most often occurs during adolescence, hence, juvenile delinquent

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Patient discussion about delinquency.

Q. Can someone please explain the reason for juvenile delinquency?

A. Juvenile delinquency is not necessarily a trait of bipolar disorder, although it is possible for a person with bipolar disorder to act on impulse while experiencing an episode. To use Justins example, shop lifting, an adult in a manic episode may spend all of their money without thought or reason, where a child/youth may not have money to spend which may lead to shop lifting. In a manic episode Justin is right the lines between right and wrong can be blurred, thus the person suffering may make poor decisions and can find themselves in trouble with the law.