Disruptive Behavior Disorders

What are Disruptive Behavior Disorders?

"Disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) can seriously impact a child’s daily life. Children with disruptive behavior disorders show ongoing patterns of uncooperative and defiant behavior.

Their responses to authority figures range from indifference to hostility. Their behavior frequently impacts those around them, including teachers, peers, and family members.

The most common types of disruptive behavior disorders include disruptive behavior disorder not otherwise specified (DBD NOS), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). Children with these behavioral disorders can be stubborn, difficult, disobedient, and irritable.

The main differences between these disorders are severity, intensity and intentionality of behavior exhibited by the child."

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) versus Conduct Disorder (CD)

"Children with ODD often lose their temper. They are quick to argue with adults over rules or requests. They are likely to:

• Be uncooperative

• Argue, even about small and unimportant things

• Refuse to follow rules

• Deliberately annoy others, and become easily annoyed by other people

• Blame others for their mistakes or misbehavior

• Behave in angry, resentful, spiteful, and vindictive ways

Anyone is capable of displaying any of these behaviors. Children with ODD display them more often than others their age. They are likely to be involved in frequent conflicts with their peers. And they often face discipline at school.

Children and teens who have CD are likely to:

• Lack respect or regard for others

• Be aggressive toward other people and animals

• Bully and intimidate others

• Willfully destroy property

• Steal and lie without feeling bad about it

• Be truant frequently

• Run away from home

There is usually nothing easy-going or positive about young people with conduct disorder. They tend to be difficult and negative. They generally lack regard for other people’s rights or feelings."

What Causes Disruptive Behavior Disorders?

"The causes of disruptive behavior disorders are unknown. But the disorders are thought to spring from different factors working together:

Heredity. Many but not all children with disruptive behavior disorders often have parents with mental health disorders, including

• Substance abuse.

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

• A mood disorder.

• Schizophrenia.

• Antisocial personality disorder."

"Environment. There is an increased risk for disruptive behavior disorders among children who were:

• Rejected by their mothers as infants.

• Separated from their parents.

• Recipients of poor foster care.

• Physically, emotionally, or sexually abused or neglected."

• Raised in poverty

• Exposed to domestic violence or substance abuse

"Physical. There is a greater risk for developing disruptive behavior disorders among children who:

• Had low birth weight.

• Have suffered neurological damage.

Psychological. Children who have suffered from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder are at a higher risk for developing disruptive behavior disorders. Approximately one-third to one-half of all children with ADHD may have coexisting oppositional defiant disorder. Conduct disorder may occur in 25 percent of children and 45 percent of adolescents with ADHD."

We hope you find this information helpful.

Reference: Nationwide Children's www.nationwidechildrens.org