Child Behavior Disorders

About

Children are often caricatured as beautiful butterflies in the garden of human existence. This image is reassuring and tells us that all is well with our world.

But there are many children with problems, especially behavioral problems, which cannot be compared to misbehavior that children are prone to, from time to time.

Behavioral problems occur in children for various reasons. Some children develop stress- related behavioral problems, temporarily, due to loss of a loved one, birth of a sibling, abuse or due to parental divorce. Sleep related problems, problems in eating, behavioral regression, poor performance at school, phobia are all common in children facing stressful situations. Typical child behavioral problems, however, are long-lasting, much more severe and may involve a pattern of behavior that is hostile, disruptive or aggressive. It usually lasts for more than six months and is often unsuitable for the child’s age.

Signs of behavioral problems in children that could act as warning:

• Harming / threatening themselves, others or pets
• Destroying property
• Lying profusely
• Stealing
• Bad school grades
• Smoking / Drinking / Drug abuse
• Early sexual activity
• Frequent tantrums / arguments
• Consistently challenging authority

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Types of Behavioral Problems in Children

Behavioral problems in children can be classified into psychosocial disorders, habit disorders, anxiety disorders, disruptive behavior and sleeping problems.

Psychosocial disorders

Psychological disorders are manifested as disturbance in:

• Emotions ( anxiety / depression )
• Behavior ( aggression )
• Physical function ( psychogenic disorders)
• Mental performance ( school-related problems )

The problems occur due to many reasons but the most significant factor is inconsistent parenting style. The reactions of the child to such parenting may not be immediate but may emerge later in time. Anticipatory preparation and counseling can help to prepare the child in advance for a potential trauma, like separation. Also, children must always be allowed to freely express their anxieties fears and doubts.

Identifying the problem, and the extent of its impact, correctly, is crucial to its treatment.

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Habit disorders

These include a range of “tension - reducing” habits such as:

• Thumb sucking
• Nail biting

• Holding breath
• Swallowing air
• Manipulating body parts
• Repetitive noise or words
• Hair pulling

• Banging head
• Rocking the body

These repetitive behaviors will be considered as a problem depending on their persistence and frequency of occurrence. Parental reassurance and encouragement is necessary to manage the problems. In some instances, medical help may be necessary.

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Anxiety disorders

Anxiety and fearfulness is common in growing children. However, they can transform into a disabling condition when they persist and may require intervention. Some of the anxiety disorders include:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Childhood onset social phobia
• Separation anxiety disorder
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Other types of phobia such as school phobia

Management methods for anxiety disorders include family therapy, parental training, counseling and treating the basic underlying psychiatric condition.

Disruptive behavior

Disruptive behaviors consist mainly of breath-holding spells and temper tantrums. Punishing the child, who may who may find his own behavior overwhelming, may not be wise. It would be better to be kind and reassure the child! However, behaviors such as truancy, arson, antisocial behavior and aggression needs intervention and should not be considered as normal developmental behavior.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a disruptive behavior is marked by poor ability to do even simple tasks, motor over activity and impulsiveness. Early diagnosis and intervention in the form of drug therapy and behavioral modification helps to counter the problem.

Sleeping problems

Sleep disorders are seen to occur in children who sleep more or less than what is necessary for the age. Stable sleep patterns set in only after age five. Proper sleeping pattern can be induced through parental intervention and environmental factors.

When behavioral disorders present in children it is important to seek help for them, as these changes can cause mental health problems, school failure and are even capable of prompting the child to suicide. Family therapy, talk therapy and behavior therapy are some of the methods that can effectively manage the problem.