I was not suggesting that the child did not have any psychological conditions. But, if he did, treating him with compassion and finding appropriate services can make the difference between successful management and disaster. Too often children are punished for psychological behavior that may be unconftrillable and are treated as “bad”- which only exacerbates the problem. I found the attitude the OP displayed towards her stepson troubling. I have been a caretaker for a severely mentally ill family member so I do understand first hand the challenges. But with treatment and support, they can make significant progress.