What Are Behavioral Disorders?

When your child constantly pushes the limits, you may regularly experience exhaustion, fear, frustration, and defeat as a parent. You may be dealing with a disruptive behavioral disorder, which is when people, usually children, have a pattern of consistently breaking rules, disrupting daily life, and defying anyone in authority. While kids and adolescents often go through defiant phases, some behaviors become more extreme and may need extra help. 

That’s where this article can help.

Behavioral Disorders in a Nutshell

Here’s a simple overview of what might be going on with your child, from common behavioral disorders and their different symptoms to treatment options.

ADHD: Trouble Sitting Still, Focusing, or Following Through

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder that affects your child’s attention span, how they control their impulses, and how they manage their energy levels. There are three main types: hyperactive, inattentive, and combined, and all three can make home and school life more challenging. Some kids may be constantly on the go, while others may lose themselves in daydreams or forget instructions halfway through a lesson.

Common symptoms of ADHD include:

• Short attention span for age
• Difficulty listening or following instructions
• Easily distracted or forgetful
• Trouble organizing or finishing tasks
• Often interrupts or blurts out answers
• Acts before thinking
• Always in motion or unable to sit still
• Talks constantly or fidgets
• Frequently loses things or moves from task to task

If your child has ADHD, it doesn’t mean they’re lazy or careless. It just means their brain works differently. Treatment can include cognitive behavioral therapy, family education, consistent routines, and, in some cases, medication. 

Oppositional Defiant Disorder: When No Never Ends

Every parent knows what it’s like when a child says no. With ODD, that defiance can explode more often and intensely. Your child might constantly argue with you or other adults, fly off the handle quickly, or refuse to accept that actions have consequences

Common symptoms of ODD include:

• Frequent temper tantrums or arguments
• Refusal to follow rules or directions
• Blaming others for mistakes
• Deliberately trying to annoy others
• Easily frustrated or irritated
• Angry or resentful attitude
• Speaking harshly or unkindly
• Seeking revenge or being spiteful

If this sounds familiar, know that many kids with ODD feel misunderstood or powerless. With early treatment, things can get better. CBT can also help your child learn better coping skills, while family therapy can strengthen communication. Working with teachers and counselors to keep strategies consistent across home and school also helps.

Conduct Disorder: When Behavior Becomes More Aggressive or Risky

Conduct Disorder goes beyond typical misbehavior. Children and teens with this condition might act in ways that hurt others or break serious rules.

Common symptoms of Conduct Disorder include:

• Bullying or intimidating others
• Getting into physical fights
• Hurting people or animals
• Destroying property or setting fires
• Lying, stealing, or sneaking out
• Skipping school or running away
• Ignoring curfews or serious household rules

If your child displays Conduct Disorder symptoms, you might feel frightened or helpless. But early support can change the path ahead. Therapy for families, combined with CBT, can help children develop better impulse control and improved problem-solving skills. Some children may also need treatment for overlapping issues like trauma, anxiety, or ADHD.

What to Do for Kids With Behavioral Problems in Wisconsin

You’re the most important person in your child’s healing journey, so you should know what steps to take to place you, your child, and your family on a calmer, more connected path. 

Here are some tips to get started:

• Start with a doctor’s visit. Schedule an appointment with a primary care physician to rule out sleep problems, learning differences, or medical conditions that could affect your child’s behavior. You can ask for referrals to mental health professionals who specialize in children and teens, like Miramont Behavioral Hospital.
• Build a care team you trust. Look for a therapist experienced in family therapy and parent-management training. If your child struggles with ADHD, ODD, or Conduct Disorder, it may make the most sense to choose a provider who specializes in these conditions.
• Team up with your child’s school. Teachers and counselors can be your strongest allies. Ask about creating an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan to help your child get the extra support they may need at school.
• Keep your home routines simple and clear. Kids usually thrive with boundaries and structure, and setting up firm routines for meals, homework, and bedtime may be a game-changer. You can even reinforce positive behaviors in your child by giving them small rewards on their good days.
• Plan ahead for difficult days. Write out a crisis plan so you know who to call if things escalate. If your child is nearing adulthood, you may want to consider filling out consent forms and a psychiatric advance directive so you can stay part of their care team.
• Know when to seek higher care. If your child’s behaviors become dangerous or unmanageable, don’t try to take it all on alone. Inpatient care may help. Miramont Behavioral Health’s Middleton location can stabilize crises, while Waukesha’s outpatient program provides follow-up and ongoing support whenever needed. 
• Remember to care for yourself. Parenting a child with behavioral challenges takes energy and patience, and joining a support group could help you recharge, get advice, and vent.

Find Support For Your Child’s Behavioral Disorders in Middleton

These behaviors don’t mean you’re a bad parent or your child is broken. Research tells us they’re simply signals that your child is struggling to express something bigger inside. Contact us today to talk through your options and take the first step forward.