Behavioral disorders in children

All young children can be naughty, defiant and impulsive from time to time, which is perfectly normal.

However, some children have extremely difficult and challenging behaviors that are outside the norm for their age. The most common disruptive behavior disorders include oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD) and.

These three behavioral disorders share some common symptoms, so diagnosis can be difficult and time consuming. A child or adolescent may have two disorders at the same time. Other exacerbating factors can include emotional problems, mood disorders, family difficulties and substance abuse.

Around one in 10 children under the age of 12 years are thought to have oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), with boys outnumbering girls by two to one. Some of the typical behaviors of a child with ODD include:

• argues frequently with adults
• particularly the most familiar adults in their lives
• such as parents seeks to blame others for any misfortunes or misdeeds

Children with conduct disorder (CD) are often judged as ‘bad kids’ because of their delinquent behavior and refusal to accept rules.

Around 5 per cent of 10 year olds are thought to have CD, with boys outnumbering girls by 4 to one. Around one-third of children with CD also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some of the typical behaviors of a child with CD may include:

• being aggressive to animals
• other people or showing sadistic behaviors including bullying
• physical or sexual abuse criminal behavior such as stealing
• deliberately lighting fires breaking into houses vandalism suicidal tendencies – although these are more rare

Around 2 to 5 per cent of children are thought to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with boys outnumbering girls by three to one. The characteristics of ADHD can include:

• difficulty concentrating forgetting instructions moving from one task to another without completing anything. – talking over the top of others
• having a ‘short fuse’
• being accident-prone

– constant restlessness and fidgeting. The causes of ODD, CD and ADHD are unknown but some of the risk factors include: – boys are much more likely than girls to suffer from behavioral disorders. It is unclear if the cause is genetic or linked to socialization experiences.

For example, a child is at increased risk in families where domestic violence, poverty, poor parenting skills or substance abuse are a problem. – problems with reading and writing are often associated with behavior problems. – children with intellectual disabilities are twice as likely to have behavioral disorders.

– studies have shown that areas of the brain that control attention appear to be less active in children with ADHD. Disruptive behavioral disorders are complicated and may include many different factors working in combination.

For example, a child who exhibits the delinquent behaviors of CD may also have ADHD, and a difficult home life.

Diagnosis methods may include:

• Diagnosis by a specialist service
• which may include a pediatrician

It is important to rule out acute stressors that might be disrupting the child’s behavior.

For example, a sick parent or victimizing by other children might be responsible for sudden changes in a child’s typical behavior and these factors have to be considered initially. Untreated children with behavioral disorders may grow up to be dysfunctional adults. Generally, the earlier the intervention, the better the outcome is likely to be.

A large study in the United States, conducted for the National Institute of Mental Health and the Office of School Education Programs, showed that carefully designed medication management and behavioral treatment for ADHD improved all measures of behavior in school and at home. Treatment is usually multifaceted and depends on the particular disorder and factors contributing to it, but may include:

• – for example
• teaching parents how to communicate with
• manage their children. – the entire family is helped to improve communication
• problem-solving skills

Relaxation techniques and stress management skills are also taught. – for example, a child with a learning difficulty will benefit from professional support. – many children with behavioral disorders experience repeated failures at school and in their interactions with others.

Encouraging the child to excel in their particular talents (such as sport) can help to build self-esteem. – to help control impulsive behaviors. attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Oppositional defiant disorder easily angered, annoyed or irritated frequent temper tantrums refuses to obey rules seems to deliberately try to annoy or aggravate others low self-esteem low frustration threshold Conduct disorder frequent refusal to obey parents or other authority figures repeated truancy tendency to use drugs, including cigarettes and alcohol, at a very early age lack of empathy for others keenness to start physical fights using weapons in physical fights frequent lying a tendency to run away from home Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Inattention Impulsivity Overactivity Risk factors in children’s behavioral disorders Gender Gestation and birth Temperament Family life Learning difficulties Intellectual disabilities Brain development Diagnosis of children’s behavioral disorders anxiety, depression In-depth interviews with the parents, child and teachers Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Treatment of behavioral disorders in children Parental education Family therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy Social training Anger management Support for associated problems Encouragement Medication

Where to get help#

Key Points#

• most common disruptive behavior disorders include oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD)
• These three behavioral disorders share some common symptoms, so diagnosis can be difficult and time consuming
• unclear if the cause is genetic or linked to socialization experiences
• important to rule out acute stressors that might be disrupting the child’s behavior
• – the child is taught important social skills, such as how to have a conversation or play cooperatively with others