Behavioral Disorder: What is Behavioral Disorder?

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Behavioral Disorder: What is Behavioral Disorder?

Behavioral Disorder: What is Behavioral Disorder?

October 19, 2011 at 21:10

Behavioral Disorder: What is Behavioral Disorder?

Behavioral Disorder is a general term under which both oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder are housed. This disorder can present itself in a variety of ways. What a parent may write off as a normal stage of childhood behavior could actually be a sign of behavioral disorder. Every child is different and behavioral disorder affects each child in a different way.

There is a high level of co-morbidity with conduct disorder and other behavioral disorders, including ADD (AD/HD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Learning Difficulties, Mood Disorders, Depressive symptoms, Anxiety Disorders, Communication Disorders, and/or Tourette’s Disorder. A study involving 236 children with ADD (AD/HD) revealed that 95% of these children had co-morbid conditions of oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, or related behavior issues (Bird, Gould, & Staghezza Jaramillo, 1994). An 8-year follow-up study revealed that 80% of these children still struggled with hyperactivity as adolescents. Additionally, 60% developed oppositional defiant disorder or progressed to full-blown conduct disorder.

Do I or anyone I know have Behavioral Disorder? Click on the disorders below to find out.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Conduct Disorder

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Click here for Behavioral Disorder: Case Study

Behavioral Disorder and Common Symptoms:

The following are warning signs that your child could be in need of help:

frequent tantrums and arguments
consistent lack of respect for self or others
consistent hostility toward authority figures
lying or stealing
not doing well in school, skipping school
damaging or destroying property
harming or threatening themselves (self injury/cutting), others, or pets
early smoking, drinking, or drug use
early sexual activity

When persistent, some additional specific behaviors are considered child behavior problems include: aggressive behavior, cheating, separation anxiety, disobedience, fighting and biting.

While there may not be initially be a need for alarm, if a pattern develops, it may be a sign of behavioral disorder. Children who suffer from behavioral disorder are at a higher risk for school failure, suicide, and mental health problems. Do not be afraid to seek help at any point when you observe one or more of these symptoms in your child.

So how can you tell if your child’s behavior is normal? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) makes the point that it can be very challenging to know when the line is crossed between normal and abnormal behavior. There is a wide range of what may be considered “normal”. Parents have to take a child’s age and maturity level into account. What may be normal for one eight year old may be completely different for another eight year old. This is why parents and educators are vital in recognizing when a child is struggling and may be struggling with behavioral disorder. Always keep in mind that all children vary in temperament, development, and behavior. These are not one size fits all facts.

The AAP stresses the importance of appropriate and consistent parental response when dealing with behavioral disorder.

The AAP states that there are three basic types of behavior. These include:

1. Behavior that is wanted and approved. Minding manners, doing homework, being on time, being courteous.

2. Behavior that is only tolerated under certain circumstances such as illness, stress or other times. These would consist of things like being self-centered, slacking on chores or school work.

3. Then there are behaviors that cannot be tolerated under any circumstance such as hurting some else or themselves, hurting a pet, breaking the law, anything that is harmful to anyone.

Behavioral Disorder and Brain Function:

Children and adolescents who demonstrate symptoms of behavioral disorder are often dealing with both neurological and environmental factors that contribute to their behavior. Research has shown that, absent of brain injury, involvement of the temporal and/or occipital lobes are often seen in the qEEG or Brain Map.

Behavioral Disorder and Treatment Options:

There are a variety of treatment options for this disorder. They include medication, nutritional, counseling, and neurofeedback interventions.

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