When a child begins to act out, not follow rules or defy the directions of adults and authority figures, parents may wonder if their behavior is normal. They may also wonder what compels their loved one to engage in these unwanted behaviors. Show
All children have periods of disobedience, but for some, these behaviors cross the line from typical to pathological. A child who persistently ignores rules, threatens others or engages in violence and aggression could have a disruptive behavior disorder.
Disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) represents a group of mental health conditions with similar symptoms. Referred to as disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), this group of conditions is noteworthy because they all involve violating the rights and desires of other people and create significant conflict with authority figures and unhealthy functioning in society. Disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders affect an individual’s ability to control their emotions and behaviors. In many cases, this lack of control means that a person with one of these conditions may regularly injure others or break laws. Symptoms of Disruptive Behavior DisorderAlthough symptoms of disruptive behavior disorders vary based on the specific condition the person has, there are similar signs present in each diagnosis. Some common symptoms of disruptive behavior disorders include:
While many people engage in some of these behaviors at some point in their lives, those with a disruptive behavior disorder tend to exhibit these symptoms in ways that are:
When a person has a disorder like depression, the person is usually the only one suffering the direct hardships of their condition. Family members will experience frustration and worry, but the condition only indirectly triggers these feelings. Disruptive behavior disorders differ from other mental health conditions because they cause the individual to take out their psychological distress in ways that negatively impact the outside world directly. For example, someone with a disruptive behavior disorder may hit, punch, kick, spit on, burn or verbally assault those around them, resulting in physical and emotional pain. Types of Disruptive Behavior DisorderThere are three primary conditions in the group of disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders: oppositional defiant disorder, intermittent explosive disorder and conduct disorder. This group of disorders also includes less common conditions like pyromania, kleptomania and other specified disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorder. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)A person with ODD does not listen to authority and instead follows their interests and wants. ODD affects a person in three ways:
Instead of being isolated incidents, these feelings and behaviors are present consistently. Anyone can have ODD, but the first signs often present during the preschool years. ODD emerges after the early teens only in rare cases. Intermittent Explosive DisorderThe second disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorder listed by the APA is called intermittent explosive disorder. People with this condition are unable to control aggressive impulses, which they tend to have frequently. According to the APA, at any given time, about 2.7 percent of people in the U.S. have intermittent explosive disorder, with people under 40 comprising the majority. A person with intermittent explosive disorder will display verbal aggression marked by:
These individuals also tend to exhibit physical aggression towards:
These behaviors must occur at least two times per week for three months for the individual to meet criteria for intermittent explosive disorder. The aggression displayed must also be out of proportion to the context for a diagnosis to be given. For example, someone with intermittent explosive disorder may severely injure a peer who bumped into them in the hall. It is also essential to note that these periods of aggression are never planned or premeditated. They are purely impulsive and driven by anger. Conduct DisorderThe final common disruptive behavior disorder is called conduct disorder. Conduct disorder is a severe mental health condition that represents a consistent pattern of the individual hurting others and failing to fit in with normal social and societal behavior. In some cases, ODD is a precursor leading to conduct disorder. About 4 percent of people have conduct disorder, and the condition tends to be more common in men than women, according to the APA. Conduct disorder almost always begins by age 16. A person with conduct disorder will engage in:
People with conduct disorder tend to:
People with conduct disorder as children often grow up to be adults with antisocial personality disorder, a long-term condition characterized by frequent trouble with the law and inability to value other people. Other Disruptive Behavior DisordersOther disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders are less frequently found in the population, but can still produce a strong, adverse impact on the affected person’s life and the lives of others.
Related Topic: Pyromania treatment Causes of Disruptive Behavior DisorderThe group of conditions comprising disruptive, impulsive-control and conduct disorders are all influenced by a combination of biological and environmental factors. Some biological factors that may influence the development of disruptive behavior disorders include:
There is some evidence that shows that people with disruptive behavior disorders display limited functioning in parts of the brain responsible for impulse-control and decision-making skills, which points to a significant influence of biological factors. Environmental factors that can contribute to the emergence of disruptive behavior disorders include:
Diagnosing Disruptive Behavior DisorderTwo factors are crucial when making an accurate disruptive behavior disorder diagnosis:
Fortunately, experienced mental health professionals can usually access an individual’s symptoms and accurately diagnose the correct disorder. Professional diagnoses can be made by mental health professionals or primary care physicians. Disruptive Behavior Disorder and Co-Occurring ConditionsThe disruptive, impulse-control and conduct group of mental health disorders frequently occur with one or more other mental health conditions, referred to as co-occurring disorders. In some of these cases, individuals have more than one disruptive behavior disorder. Outside of this group, disruptive behavior disorders may co-occur with ADHD, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders and substance use disorders. The presence of co-occurring conditions may complicate a person’s condition and worsen the impact on the individual’s life. In these cases, comprehensive treatment that addresses all disorders present is crucial to long-term mental and physical health. Disruptive Behavior Disorder TreatmentProfessional treatment for disruptive behavior disorders can help reduce symptoms and improve well-being. Experts recommend several styles of treatment for disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders involving the individual, their parents and their school.
Does My Child Need Help?If you wonder about the role of a mental health condition in your child’s life and suspect that they may have a disruptive behavior disorder, it’s better to seek professional help sooner rather than later. As mentioned, many adolescents and young adults with a disruptive behavior disorder will also use alcohol and other drugs. Professional treatment is even more crucial if your child also grapples with addiction or other co-occurring mental health conditions. If you believe someone you love has co-occurring substance use issues and disruptive behavior disorder, consider calling The Recovery Village. The Recovery Village is a treatment center specializing in dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorder with programs designed specifically for adolescents. Reach out to a representative today for more information.
Medically Reviewed By – Eric Patterson, LPC
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers. |