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Behavioral Disorders
INTRODUCTION
What are behavioral disorders?
Behavioral disorders typically develop in childhood or adolescence. While some behavioral issues may be normal in children, those who have behavioral disorders develop chronic patterns of aggression, defiance, disruption and hostility. Their behaviors cause problems at home, school or work, and can interfere with relationships. Children with behavioral disorders may develop personality disorders, depression, or bipolar disorder as adults.
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Children with behavioral disorders may throw frequent and extended tantrums, hurt themselves or others, get involved in criminal activities, lie, smoke, use alcohol or drugs, be openly defiant, or engage in early sexual activity. They may skip or fail school. They also have a higher than average risk of suicide.
Although the cause of behavioral disorders is not known, risk factors have been identified, such as family history of mental illness or substance abuse, exposure to tobacco or illicit drugs during fetal development, abuse, stress, lack of supervision, and inconsistent but harsh discipline. Children with behavioral disorders may have other mental, emotional or behavioral disorders, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Severe or long-standing behavioral disorders can be difficult to treat; however, early recognition and intervention can be quite helpful. Treatment often focuses on skill development for the child and parents. Involvement of a health care professional is often necessary. Educational, community and social programs may also be available.
Violent, destructive and risky actions can be part of behavioral disorders and can lead to serious harm or legal problems. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if your child is engaging in threatening, irrational or suicidal behavior, or if your child has suffered a serious injury, has overdosed on drugs, has alcohol poisoning, or has any other conditions that require emergency attention.
Seek prompt medical care if your child gets into trouble frequently, has significant mood swings, engages in harmful or destructive behaviors, uses alcohol or drugs, has problems sleeping, or is having other issues that cause you concern.

Behavioral Disorders: Symptoms
What are the symptoms of behavioral disorders?
All children have occasional behavioral issues. Problems that last more than six months and are more severe than those of peers may indicate that a behavioral disorder is present. These problems can develop into chronic patterns of aggression, hostility, defiance and disruption.
Common symptoms of behavioral disorders
Common symptoms of behavioral disorders include:
Early sexual activity
Frequent or extended tantrums
Hostility
Lying
Open defiance of authority figures and parents
Property destruction
Rage
Self-destructive behaviors
Skipping school
Theft
Use of alcohol or drugs
Violent and aggressive acts, such as bullying, fighting, or animal cruelty
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition
In some cases, behavioral disorders can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if your child has any of these life-threatening symptoms including:
Alcohol poisoning symptoms, such as slow breathing, not breathing, slow heart rate, persistent vomiting, cold and clammy skin, bluish coloration of the lips or fingernails, seizures, confusion or loss of consciousness for even a moment
Being a danger to oneself or others, including threatening, irrational or suicidal behavior
Drug overdose symptoms, such as rapid or slow pulse or breathing, chest pain or pressure, not breathing, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cool and clammy skin, hot skin, sleepiness, confusion or loss of consciousness for even a moment
Trauma, such as bone deformity, burns, eye injuries, and other injuries
Behavioral Disorders: Causes
What causes behavioral disorders?
The specific cause of behavioral disorders is not known, but a number of factors may contribute to their development. Genetics may play a role, as behavioral disorders are more common in children who have a family history of mental illness or substance abuse. Environment factors, such as unstable home life, child abuse, lack of supervision, and inconsistent discipline, all seem to increase the risk of children developing behavioral disorders.
What are the risk factors for behavioral disorders?
A number of factors increase the risk of developing behavioral disorders. Not all people with risk factors will develop behavioral disorders. Risk factors for behavioral disorders include:
Child abuse
Difficulty interpreting the actions or intent of others
Family history of mental illness or substance abuse
Fetal exposure to tobacco or illicit drugs
Inconsistent, harsh discipline
Lack of supervision
Male gender
Parental substance abuse
Poor social skills
Stressful home or school environment
Reducing your child’s risk of behavioral disorders
A supportive, stable and consistent home environment may be helpful in reducing your child’s risk of developing behavioral disorders. You may be able to lower your child’s risk of behavioral disorders by:
Allowing your child to make concrete but limited decisions, such as choosing between a white or green shirt
Developing a clear system of rewards and punishments
Disciplining selectively based on the severity of the incident
Getting involved in your child’s activities
Redirecting your child to a safe and appropriate environment for activities
Reducing sources of stress at home
Rewarding appropriate behavior
Setting clear expectations
Behavioral Disorders: Treatments
How are behavioral disorders treated?
Regular medical care for your child is an important first step in the prevention and treatment of behavioral disorders. This allows a health care professional to screen for and evaluate potential symptoms of a behavioral disorder.
Treatment often focuses on skill development for the child and parents. Children may benefit from cognitive development programs, social interaction skills training, and adaptive skills training. Parental skills training can also be beneficial. Educational, community and social programs may be available.
Psychological assessments and psychotherapy or other types of therapy may be helpful, especially if mood or other disorders are also present.
What you can do to improve your child's behavioral disorder
Part of the parenting skills training focuses on learning interventions to help improve your child’s behavior. These interventions include:
Allowing your child to make concrete but limited decisions, such as choosing between a white or green shirt
Avoiding inadvertently punishing improved behavior by suggesting it wasn’t good enough
Avoiding rationalizing and ignoring poor behavior
Avoiding reinforcing bad behaviors by giving in to the child’s demands
Developing a clear system of rewards and punishments
Disciplining selectively based on the severity of the incident and only when you are calm
Getting involved in your child’s activities
Modeling and teaching your child acceptable behaviors
Redirecting your child to a safe and appropriate environment for activities
Reducing stress at home
Rewarding appropriate behavior
Setting clear expectations
What are the potential complications of behavioral disorders?
Complications of untreated or poorly controlled behavioral disorders can be serious, even life threatening in some cases. You can help minimize your child’s risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for your child. Complications of behavioral disorders include:
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Development of personality disorders
Difficulties holding a job
Drug and alcohol abuse
Increased risk of injury
Law violations and legal troubles
Peer relationship problems
Scholastic problems or failure
Sexually transmitted infections
Suicide