Children and Emotional Behavior Disorders

Children can be affected by mental health issues that are related to emotional behavior disorders. These disorders make it hard for the child to regulate emotions. When this happens, they may not make the right choices for the proper behavior in certain situations. Understanding disorders that a child may have, such as emotional behavior disorder, can help caregivers choose strategies to manage behavioral issues.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. – John 14:27, NIV

Causes of Emotional Behavior Disorders

There are no defined causes of emotional behavior disorders in children. To properly identify these disorders, many factors are considered.

The difference in brain chemistry and genetics are known to play a role in the presence of emotional behavior disorders when there are other mental health issues involved. Other causes connected with these disorders are traumatic experiences that result in behavior issues such as abuse and neglect.

Types of Emotional Behavior Disorders

Emotional disorders are related to mood disorders. When a professional refers to emotional behavior disorders, they are typically describing mental health conditions that affect a person’s mood. Children can suffer from emotional behavior disorders as well as adults.

ADHD – Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

This is a neurobehavioral disorder that is typically diagnosed in childhood. Most of the symptoms are characteristic of inattention and impulsivity.

• Easily distracted.
• Restless.
• Interrupting others.
• Has difficulty following directions.
• Disruptive.
• Impulsive actions.

Conduct Disorder

Children with conduct disorder often express aggression toward others and violate normal behavior with peers.

• Bullying others.
• Cruel to animals or others.
• Destruction of property.
• Delinquent behavior.
• Stealing.
• Lying.
• Physical altercations.

Oppositional-Defiant Disorder

This disorder is characterized by aggression and defiant behavior. This is commonly manifested through anger and vindictiveness.

• Low tolerance to becoming frustrated.
• Intentionally lying to create conflict.
• Moody.
• Refusal to comply with requests.
• Temper tantrums.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Also referred to as OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by irrational thinking that leads to obsessive, repetitive behavior.

• Disturbing or unwanted thoughts.
• Extreme worry about something bad happening.
• Occupied with everything being exact.
• Concerns about getting sick.
• Repetitive counting.
• Repeating sounds, words, or numbers.
• Rearranging objects in a specific way.
• Excessive hand washing.
• Constant need for reassurance.
• Specific rituals at specific times (bedtime routine).

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is challenging to define in a simple definition. There are many ways it can be manifested in various children. It is a lifelong and chronic disorder that comes with struggles for children who live with it.

• Intense happiness for an extended time.
• Over interest in risky activities.
• Inflated sense of ability or knowledge.
• Short-tempered.
• Unprovoked sadness.
• Extended amount of time sleeping.
• Eating too much or too little.
• Low energy.
• Difficulty concentrating.

Effects of Emotional Behavior Disorders

Children with emotional behavior disorders are affected the same way as adults. They have challenges when it comes to emotions and actions. These challenges can affect relationships at home as well as school. Relationships become strained for children because caregivers and parents feel overwhelmed by trying to maintain a stable sense of peace at home or school.

Children who engage in risky behavior due to emotional behavior disorder often end up in dangerous and harmful situations. The effects of these behaviors can linger into adulthood and cause problems like drug abuse and violence.

Treatment Options

Treatment plans for emotional behaviors are personalized based on underlying factors and individual diagnoses.

Psychotherapy

This is also known as talk therapy and includes cognitive behavioral therapy. This provides a space to process and discuss emotions in a way that will be healthy and productive.

Medication

Antidepressants and mood stabilizers are the most common medications used in the treatment of emotional disorders.

Parent management training

Through training, parents and caregivers can learn effective ways to communicate and manage the emotional behavior problems of their child.

Coping With Emotional Behavior Disorders

Some strategies can help parents manage and cope with an emotional behavior disorder in children. It starts with creating a consistent and stable structure in the home. Children with emotional disorders have difficulty following instructions but need routine. Establishing routines with precise rules can create an atmosphere of stability.

Parents must also be able to set and enforce acceptable behavior. This can be done using positive reinforcement to encourage proper behavior.

Next Steps for Your Child

Emotional behavior disorders are mental health issues that often affect children. There are strategies that parents can implement to help manage the symptoms and help the child cope with the disorder.

Contact our office at Plano Christian Counseling in Texas to schedule an appointment with a Christian counselor in Plano and get information about emotional behavior disorders. Intervention and treatment in the early onset of symptoms can help create routines that will help create a healthy atmosphere for children who struggle with emotional disorders.