Behavior Disorders

Children are affected by life, in the same way adults are. We might tend to see children as always positive, playful and happy-go-lucky human beings. We tend to neglect the fact that they are also affected negatively by their surroundings. Children that go through emotional stress, major life changes and neglect or abuse can suffer from behavioral disorders, especially since children are less prepared than adults to process their environment without help.
Now, you need to not jump to any conclusions too fast. If your child is having a bad time and s/he is acting out, angry and irritated it doesn’t immediately mean they need help. Children are constantly growing, and just like adults, they have their bad moments when things aren’t always working properly. Try talking to them and see what’s going on, if you see they don’t want to share anything let them sort it out themselves. They are just as capable as us.
However, if a certain type of dysfunctional behavior goes on for too long, say for months. It’s a good idea to go together with your child to get some professional help. For most adults, this can be quite an anxious and scary thing to do. They dread the diagnosis their child could get. It is normal to feel this way, but you should think that getting professional help for your child, if he needs it, will help him grow into a fulfilled adult.
What are behavioral disorders?
They are usually types of disorders that cause behavioral dysfunctions. Meaning, if your child has a behavioral disorder he will act out or behave in ways that don’t benefit him and instead of helping him grow they slow him or her down. In such cases, they need professionals that help them manage their emotions and behaviors as well as learn skills that help them grow.
List of behavioral disorders that can affect children:
• Anxiety: generalized anxiety disorder, where the child is constantly worrying about his past, present and future; about school and the family; about health and world issues and feeling like their worrying is out of their control
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Children can suffer this condition, the same as adults. They will turn to compulsions to calm the inner anxiety and tension.
• ADHD: With this disorder, children have a hard time paying attention for a longer period of time or staying still. Children are full of energy which can be misdiagnosed as ADHD so a careful professional evaluation is needed.
• Autism: Children with autism have a hard time communicating and creating relationships. The spectrum for autism is wide and creates a series of symptoms, different to each child.
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): This condition is characterized by aggression, defiance of authority and angry behavior. Children with this condition fight with other children, abuse pets, defy teachers and parents and can even run away from home. Left untreated, children with ODD can become adults who frequently steal, cheat and cause other delinquencies.
Behavioral disorder treatment
The World Health Organization says that 50% of all mental disorders start in childhood and adolescence, before the age of 14. If we spotted them right at the onset, our children would have better changes of recovering from them and not suffering in adulthood.
If you suspect your child might have a behavioral disorder, before getting him any type of treatment you need to go see your doctor. Talk to him about his behavior, and get a series of medical tests to rule out any medical problems. If everything is alright, a child psychiatrist is the next step. He or she will give your child an evaluation and an official diagnosis. Here is where things become both easier and harder, at the same time. A diagnosis brings a lot of relief and hope, but treatment is going to be hard but especially worth it.
A child psychiatrist or psychologist will meet up with you and your child regularly. During the sessions, the therapist will use different types of therapies to better understand your child and guide him in the right way. Here are some of the therapies your child will be involved in:
• Play therapy
• Art therapy
• Animal-Assisted therapy
• Cognitive-Behavioral therapy