It is not unusual for children and young adults to argue, be uncooperative, and disobey rules from time to time. These behaviors are often a result of feeling overwhelmed or stressed. While acting out could be part of developmental limit testing, there are extreme cases when young people find it difficult to control their emotions and actions, affecting not only their daily lives but also the lives of those closest to them.

When young people exhibit persistent anger, hostility, aggression, cruelty, temper tantrums, and defiance towards authoritative figures such as parents and teachers, it may be a more serious issue called disruptive behavior disorders (DBD). These behavioral disorders are referred to as disruptive due to the disruption often caused by those with them. These disorders are characterized by ongoing patterns of uncooperativeness, defiance, and hostility toward those with authority. This type of behavior consequently can lead to problems at home, difficulties in school and negatively affect relationships with family and/or friends.

Identifying the Most Common Forms of DBD

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder are the two most common disruptive disorders.

ODD is characterized by ongoing hostility, irritability, defiance, and disobedience directed at parents, teachers, and other authoritative figures. They often argue, rebel, defy rules, and hold grudges for long periods of time. All young people may sometimes behave this way, but someone with ODD demonstrates these behaviors regularly and they often impact their daily functioning in a variety of life areas such as school, work, personal relationships, etc.

The symptoms of ODD are often exhibited in three main ways: angry and irritable mood, argumentative and defiant behavior, and vindictiveness. These behaviors usually manifest early on in a child’s life, initially at home. Over time, the disruptive behavior becomes evident in other settings such as school, playgrounds, the community, anywhere they may interact with authority figures. Young people with DBD are impaired in their daily functioning and are often at a higher risk for depression or anxiety in the future.

Conduct disorder (CD) is characterized by ongoing and repetitive violent actions involving violating the basic rights of others, and severely breaking rules intended to enforce age-appropriate norms. Children who develop CD may grow into adults with long-term behavior problems. For example, a child with CD who bullied and frequently fought with schoolmates may become an adolescent with a penchant for destroying other people’s property.

Conduct disorder can make it difficult to consider or care about others needs or feelings. Additional symptoms can include aggression toward people and animals, deliberate destruction of property, cheating, theft, and total disregard of the rules.

Risk Factors for Disruptive Behavior Disorders

There is no single known cause for DBD, though individuals can be more likely to develop these disorders due to genetic, physical and environmental factors.

Young people are more likely to develop DBD if they have family members with some form of emotional, or behavioral disorders, such as mood disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or addiction.

Children with differences in parts of the brain that functions for judgment, mood, and impulse control are more susceptible to developing the symptoms of DBD. These anomalies may impair their ability to communicate properly and regulate emotions leading to DBD symptoms.

Children who are in a chaotic environment, exposed to violence, experienced abuse or neglect by parents or guardians are at greater risk of developing DBD. Similarly, children who have inconsistent discipline or structure may begin to act out or behave destructively simply because they can.

Signs and Symptoms of Disruptive Behavior Disorders

Understanding disruptive behavior disorder requires recognizing the signs and symptoms of the explosive behavior. The behaviors can vary based on age, temperament, social skills and coping mechanisms.

Behavioral symptoms of DBD can include the following: revenge-seeking behaviors, social isolation, aggression/cruelty toward people and animals, defiance, refusal to comply with rules, willful destruction of property, bullying, playing with fire, stealing, lying, and blaming others.

Cognitively, symptoms can include difficulty concentrating, lack of problem-solving skills, memory impairment, and frequent frustration. Social symptoms are lack of empathy, chronic annoyance and irritability, spitefulness, vindictiveness, lack of remorse, persistent negativity, low self-esteem, and false sense of grandiosity.

Long-Term Effects of Untreated/Undiagnosed DBD

Without proper care and treatment, children and teens with a form of DBD can face long-term consequences, including the development of antisocial personality disorder. Young people who do not receive proper treatment interventions are at higher risk for the following:

• Inability to develop and maintain healthy, meaningful relationships
• Failure to achieve gainful employment
• Criminal involvement/incarceration
• Alcohol and substance abuse
• Risky sexual behaviors
• Domestic abuse
• Child abuse
• Homelessness
• Social isolation

It can be imperative to get early intervention and treatment for children and adolescents with symptoms of disruptive behavior disorder to prevent the behaviors from worsening and having the potential to lead to more severe consequences.

Children who do not receive treatment for their disruptive behaviors may ultimately become adults with dysfunction behaviors. Both types of DBD, when not treated, can have long-term effects, which can intensify over time. The sooner the intervention, the better the outcome can be.

The Right Time to Seek Help

A child who acts out can affect the entire family, more so, if your child has disruptive behavior disorders. Disruptive behavior disorder can be upsetting, leaving you feeling frustrated and helpless as to how to help with your child behaviorally and emotionally. Apart from this, you may also find it difficult to restore stability and order in your home.

Though these behaviors can leave you feeling isolated, you are not alone. Therapy can help. It can be a challenge to gain a defiant child or teen’s cooperation in counseling, though it can make a world of difference.

You are not alone. Carolina Counseling Services – Cameron, NC, on Hwy 87, near Linden Oaks, independently contracts skilled and trained therapists. Specially trained professionals can offer appropriate child counseling services, including treatment for disruptive behavior disorders. The right counselor will work with you, your child and your family to help bring back healthier, more constructive behavior.

Call CCS – Cameron, NC, on Hwy 87, near Linden Oaks to schedule your first appointment.