What are Disruptive Behavior Disorders?
Disruptive behavior disorders are a wide range of conditions that share the common element of problems in the self-control of emotions and behavior. More specifically, these behaviors violate the rights of others, as in aggression or property destruction, or result in significant conflict with social norms or authority figures, such as teachers or police officers. These disorders tend to have their onset in childhood or adolescence, and are more common in males than in females.
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is typified by a pervasive pattern of anger and irritability, argumentative and defiant behavior, or vindictiveness, exhibited with at least one person who is not a sibling. These behaviors are considerably in excess of normal behaviors for a given age, and cause distress to the person or others, or have a negative impact on educational, social, vocational, or other important areas of functioning.
Intermittent explosive disorder is typified by recurrent outbursts of markedly aggressive behaviors in individuals over age 6. These behaviors may be verbal, such as temper tantrums, tirades, and verbal arguments, or physical, such as property destruction or physical assault of people or animals. These outbursts are not premeditated amd are primarily impulse or anger related, as opposed to attempting to intimidate or control another. The behaviors cause distress to the person or others, or have a negative impact on educational, social, vocational, or other important areas of functioning.
Treatment for Disruptive Behavior Disorders
CEH FamilyCare clinicians provide evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) for children and their families struggling with behavioral difficulties.
Comprehensive psychological and family systems assessment as well as functional behavioral analysis is methodically done to fully understand the behavioral concern and the maintenance of the behavior(s).
Depending on the specific needs of the child, behavioral modification treatment strategies, such as parent management training (PMT) or parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), may be utilized to create clear, consistent behavior expectations and consequences in order to increase and positively reinforce desirable behaviors and discourage and decrease unwanted behaviors.
Social-emotional skills training may also be utilized to build the child’s awareness of and identification of emotions, effectively manage emotions, improve communication skills and relationships with peers and adults, and improve problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Effective treatment for disruptive behavior disorders involves collaboratively working with the child as well as the caregivers.