Behavioral Disorders
When your child’s level of disobedience exceeds normal limit testing and becomes chronic defiance, you may encounter difficulties in completing the routines of everyday life. Behavioral disorders include the diagnoses of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder. Symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder include the following:
- Ignores commands
- Becomes angry suddenly
- Bossy with peers
- Frequently irritable
- Blames others
- Seeks revenge
Oppositional and defiant behaviors are disruptive to family functioning and have an adverse impact on academic performance as well. These issues can lead to impaired relationships with adults, parents, and peers, while the behaviors typically become worse over time.
Defiance in childhood, if untreated, may lead to Conduct Disorder in adolescence. Conduct Disorder is associated with the following:
- Aggression toward people or animals
- Destruction of property
- Deceitfulness or theft
- Truancy or runaway behavior
Conduct Disorder may result in substance abuse and legal problems. Early intervention is essential to help combat the trajectory of these problematic behaviors.Contact Us now.
Our highly skilled team of licensed mental health professionals utilize individual therapy, group counseling, and family therapy to help families overcome disruptive behavioral disorders. We also offer parent training workshops to give parents the tools they need to address defiant behavior in children or to improve communication and conflict resolution skills with teens.
Recommended Readings
Your Defiant Child: 8 Steps to Better Behavior. Russell Barkley and Christine Benton, 2013.
Your Defiant Teen: 10 Steps to Resolve Conflict and Rebuild Your Relationship. Russell Barkley, Arthur Robin, and Christine Benton, 2013.
1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12. Thomas Phelan, 2010.