Behavioral difficulties can occur at many stages of life, but persistent patterns that significantly interfere with functioning may require professional evaluation. Behavioral disorders are conditions involving persistent behavioral patterns that cause clinically significant distress or impairment.
The term “behavioral disorders” covers a range of problems rather than one single diagnosis. In children, disruptive behavior disorders can include oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder.
What Are Behavioral Disorders?
Behavioral disorders involve patterns of behavior that are substantially different from what is expected for a person’s developmental stage or circumstances and that cause meaningful problems.
A child occasionally arguing, becoming angry, or breaking a rule does not automatically mean the child has a behavioral disorder. The CDC notes that children sometimes argue, become aggressive, or act defiant as part of normal development. A disorder may be considered when behavior is unusual for the child’s age, persists over time, or is severe.
This distinction helps prevent normal behavior from being incorrectly labeled as a disorder.
What Are the Types of Behavioral Disorders?
There is no single universal behavioral disorders list that applies to every person or age group.
In children and adolescents, commonly discussed disruptive behavior disorders include:
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder, or ODD, involves a persistent pattern of argumentative, defiant, hostile, or irritable behavior toward authority figures or other people. It is more serious than occasional childhood opposition when the pattern is persistent and interferes with daily functioning.
Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder involves a persistent pattern of behavior that violates the rights of others or major social rules. It can involve aggression, serious rule violations, property destruction, or other harmful behaviors.
Other mental health conditions may also involve behavioral symptoms. This is why the term should not be used as a diagnosis without a proper assessment.
What Are the Signs of Behavioral Disorders in Children?
Signs depend on the specific condition, but persistent patterns may include:
- Frequent severe temper outbursts
- Repeated defiance of rules or requests
- Constant arguments with adults
- Persistent aggression
- Deliberate destruction of property
- Serious rule-breaking
- Repeated lying or stealing
- Significant problems at home, school, or with peers
The CDC emphasizes that behavior disorders should be distinguished from occasional behaviors that occur during normal development.
A child’s age, developmental stage, environment, and functioning should all be considered.
What Are Emotional and Behavioral Disorders?
The phrase emotional and behavioral disorders is often used broadly when emotional difficulties and behavior problems occur together.
For example, anxiety, depression, trauma, attention problems, and disruptive behaviors may overlap or occur at the same time. A child who is frequently aggressive may also be experiencing another underlying problem that needs attention.
This is why evaluating the broader context is more useful than focusing only on the visible behavior.
What Can Cause Behavioral Disorders?
There is rarely one simple cause.
The CDC reports that several biological and social factors may play a role in childhood disruptive behavior disorders. Risk can increase with experiences such as violence, neglect, maltreatment, harsh or inconsistent parenting, and certain family or environmental circumstances.
These factors are risk factors, not proof that a particular experience caused a specific disorder.
Learning problems, developmental differences, trauma, anxiety, depression, and other conditions may also need to be considered during an assessment.
Can Behavioral Disorders Occur in Adults?
Behavioral disorders in adults require careful clinical evaluation because adult behavioral difficulties can arise from many different conditions and circumstances.
A pattern of anger, impulsivity, aggression, rule-breaking, substance use, trauma-related symptoms, or mood changes may have different explanations. The appropriate diagnosis depends on the person’s history, symptoms, functioning, and other clinical information.
It is therefore not accurate to assume that every adult with difficult behavior has a behavioral disorder.
How Are Behavioral Disorders Diagnosed?
Diagnosis generally involves a detailed assessment rather than one simple test.
For children, clinicians may consider:
- Behavior at home
- Behavior at school
- Relationships with peers
- Developmental history
- Family circumstances
- Emotional symptoms
- Learning difficulties
- Other mental health conditions
The CDC states that a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional may be needed to obtain the correct diagnosis.
How Are Behavioral Disorders Treated?
Treatment depends on the diagnosis, age, symptoms, family circumstances, and other conditions that may be present.
For younger children with disruptive behavior disorders, parent behavior-management training has strong support. For school-age children and teenagers, treatment may involve the child, caregivers, family, and school.
The CDC also notes that behavior therapy and CBT can be useful approaches for several common childhood mental health conditions.
Treatment should address the specific problem rather than simply trying to suppress the behavior.
When Should Parents Seek Professional Help?
Professional evaluation is appropriate when a child’s behavior is persistent, severe, unsafe, or significantly interfering with home, school, friendships, or family life.
Early assessment can also help identify conditions that may be contributing to the behavior. The CDC states that early treatment can help reduce problems at home, school, and in relationships.
FAQs About Behavioral Disorders
Does every difficult child have a behavioral disorder?
No. Children naturally test limits and may become angry, defiant, or argumentative. A disorder involves a persistent or severe pattern that causes significant problems.
What are the main behavioral disorders in children?
Two recognized disruptive behavior disorders are oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder.
Can behavioral disorders be treated?
Yes. Treatment varies according to the diagnosis and may involve behavior therapy, parent training, psychotherapy, family involvement, and treatment of co-occurring conditions.
Conclusion
Behavioral disorders are not simply another name for difficult behavior. They involve persistent patterns that cause meaningful problems and require careful assessment. In children, conditions such as ODD and conduct disorder are important examples, but other emotional, developmental, family, or mental health factors may also influence behavior. Early professional evaluation can help identify the underlying concerns and guide an appropriate treatment plan.