Behavioral Issues

What are behavioral issues?

Behavioral issues often look like typical childhood problems. All children (and adults) can sometimes get defiant, hyperactive, or aggressive and have angry outbursts.

However, these normal childhood behaviors turn into serious problems that need help when they become severe, last several months, disrupt life at home or in school, and affect their ability to make friends and socialize.

What are the different types of behavioral issues?

Behavioral issues often represent symptoms caused by mental health disorders such as:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Conduct disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Oppositional defiant disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
• Intermittent explosive disorder

These conditions cause a wide range of behavioral symptoms.

What symptoms occur due to behavioral issues?

The most common symptoms of behavioral issues include:

• Anger
• Irritability
• Frustration
• Restlessness
• Hyperactivity
• Bullying
• Lying
• Lack of focus or attention
• Arguing with adults or authority figures
• Refusing to comply with requests
• Blaming others for their misbehavior
• Frequent, extreme temper tantrums
• Verbal or physical aggression

In most cases, the severity of the behavior is out of proportion to whatever caused the outburst. 

Tantrums and meltdowns often occur in young children who get overwhelmed, angry, frustrated, or too tired. Preschoolers are too young to express their needs and emotions and end up communicating their distress with an outburst.

Meltdowns and tantrums that continue beyond preschool can signal an underlying problem such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or any of the issues in the above list.

Children and teens who frequently have outbursts often can’t manage their emotions. They may lack the skills or have an imbalance in neurotransmitters that affects their ability to cope, solve problems, and calm down.

How are behavior issues treated?

The team at the ADHD Institute of Michigan customize each person's treatment to meet their specific diagnosis and symptoms. They follow a strength-based approach that builds on abilities and achievements.

The team may recommend medication or one of many possible therapies. For example, cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused techniques help children and teens recognize and control their behavior.

If your child needs help with behavioral issues, call the ADHD Institute of Michigan or schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment online today.