Behavioral Disorders in Children
Children of all ages are treated at Out Patient Department. The most common problems we come
across are childhood problems. Parents are always concerned about the studies of their children
and think that their health is the most important cause of their lack of concentration.
The behavior of any child depends on the atmosphere around them which affects their mental
and social development.
The common complaints about children are:
a) Not obeying their parents
b) Poor in studies
c) Unkind to others
d) Showing frustration on others, etc.
These abnormal behaviors make them difficult to understand. These behavioral disorders
include:
1. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
2. Conduct Disorder
3. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Other exacerbating factors can include:
1. Emotional problems
2. Mood disorders
3. Family problems
4. Substance abuse
A. Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Around one in 10 children under the age of 10 years are thought to have ODD. Some of
the typical behaviors of the child with ODD include:
a) Easily angered
b) Annoyed or irritated
c) Frequent temper tantrums
d) Argues frequently with adults (such as parents)
e) Refuses to obey rules
f) Seems to deliberately try to aggravate others
g) Low self esteem
h) Low frustration threshold
i) Seeks to blame others for any misfortune
B. Conduct Disorders:
Children with CD are often judged as bad kids because of their delinquent behavior and
refusal to accept rules. Around one third of children with CD also have ADHD. Some of
the typical behaviors of a child with CD may include:
a) Frequent refusal to obey parents or any authoritative figures
b) Repeated truancy tendency to use drugs (including cigarettes and alcohol) at a very
early age
c) Lack of empathy for others
d) Being aggressive
e) Showing sadistic behaviors and physical or sexual abuse
f) Keenness to start physical fights
g) Using weapons in physical fights
h) Frequent lying
i) Criminal behavior
j) Tendency to run away from home
k) Suicidal tendency (rarely)
C. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder:
Around 2-5% of children are thought to have ADHD. The characteristic of ADHD
include:
a) Inattention (difficulty in concentrating in getting instruction, moving from one task to
another without completing anything)
b) Impulsivity
c) Over-activity
Risk factors of childrens behavioral factors:
Some of the factors include:
1) Gender
2) Gestation and birth
3) Temperament
4) Family life
5) Learning difficulty
6) Intellectual disabilities
7) Brain development
Diagnosis of childrens behavioral disorders:
Diagnosis methods may include:
a) Diagnosis by a specialist service which include a pediatrician, psychologist or a child
psychiatrist.
b) In-Depth interviews with parents, child and teachers.
c) Behavioral check-list or standardized questionnaires.
It is important to rule out acute stressors that might be disrupting the childs behavior.
Treatment:
Untreated children with behavioral disorders may grow up to be dysfunctional adults. The
carefully designed medication management and behavioral treatment can improve the behavior
of the child both at school and at home. Treatment is usually multi-faceted and depends on the
particular disorder and factors contributing it.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
Parental education
Family therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Social training
Anger management by relaxation techniques and stress management
Support for associated problems
Encouragement
Medication to help control compulsive behavior
The treatment of behavioral disorder children may get help from
a)
b)
c)
d)
Family doctors
Pediatrician
Child psychologist
Child psychiatrist
Treatment may include therapy, education and medication, and treatment for associated
problems.
Some children may have extremely difficult and challenging behaviors for their age. These
problems may result from temporary stressors in the childs life. Boys are more likely than girls
to suffer from behavioral disorders.
