Behavior Disorders
All kids misbehave some times, but behavior disorders go beyond mischief and rebellion. With behavior disorders, your child or teen has a pattern of hostile, aggressive or disruptive behaviors for more than 6 months.
Warning signs can include:
- Harming or threatening themselves, other people or pets
- Damaging or destroying property
- Lying or stealing
- Not doing well in school, skipping school
- Early smoking, drinking or drug use
- Early sexual activity
- Frequent tantrums and arguments
- Consistent hostility towards authority figures
If you see signs of a problem, ask for help. Poor choices can become habits. Kids who have behavior problems are at higher risk for school failure, mental health problems and even suicide. Classes or family therapy may help parents learn to set and enforce limits. The CERTS Parent Education Center provides more information on the following behavior disorders:
Your use of the resources in this Parent Education Center constitutes your agreement and acknowledgement that this information is offered to you with the understanding that it not be interpreted as medical or professional advice and that it is not a substitute for seeking professional medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment. This information has been culled from a variety of consumer health resources believed to be reliable. All medical information needs to be carefully reviewed with your health care provider. Do not disregard professional medical advice because of something you may have read on this site.
Parent Education Center