Multiple mental illnesses can affect a person’s behavior in every area of life. A behavioral disorder is a pattern of persistent and repetitive behavior that goes against social norms, impairs function, or is harmful to others. Behavioral disorders are often linked to various mental health disorders, highlighting the importance of treatment for individuals experiencing behavioral issues that affect their daily lives.
Behavioral issues are commonly associated with children, but an adult can absolutely be diagnosed with a behavioral disorder. To be diagnosed with one, the behaviors have to last for six months or longer, or else negatively impact a person’s home or work life. Though they may not receive as much attention as personality disorders, it’s important to understand how having a behavioral disorder can influence a person’s life. Treatment for behavioral disorders in adults is more available than ever, and special treatments are available for people dealing with a dual diagnosis of behavioral disorders and addiction.
Many children and adults struggle with how attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impacts their lives. It is described as an ongoing pattern of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and lack of attention that creates issues in normal functioning. This can take the form of:
While ADHD cannot be cured, it can be treated with a combination of medication and therapeutic modalities. Multiple treatments that can help with ADHD can also work to address other conditions. These include:
Unlike ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a type of behavioral disorder that occurs most often in children. The primary issue of ODD is a lack of self-control in feelings and behaviors. This generally looks like a consistent state of agitation, argumentative or defiant behavior, or vindictiveness towards others. A diagnosis usually requires that the person consistently show negative behaviors for a long time, and with more people besides their siblings (particularly relevant to children).
While all children and adults can feel agitated, ODD is the consistent state of agitation and lack of ability to control feelings or actions. Those with ODD are highly reactive and have little to no tolerance for things that cause them frustration. They may lash out at others or themselves.
ODD is responsive to treatment plans that include multiple aspects. Treatment options available at 449 Recovery include:
Often confused with ODD, conduct disorder (CD) is much more violent and destructive in nature. Found in children and adolescents, CD occurs when a person shows repetitive behavior that consists of the following:
While genetic components exist, those with CD are associated with other comorbidities. These include but are not limited to:
Lifestyle factors can have an immense impact on whether a child develops CD. These can include:
Obtaining a CD diagnosis requires that the person have a consistent pattern of aggression toward people, animals, and property. It’s especially important to rule out any other possible comorbid disease or mental health disorder to ensure lasting treatment. Beyond this, treating CD effectively involves planning and cooperation from the individual’s family and school. The individual themselves can benefit from anger management and individual therapy that teaches problem-solving skills.
Another disorder that causes behavior issues is intermittent explosive disorder (IED). In general, IED starts in adolescence but can continue on to adulthood. It is defined as continuing episodes of violent or destructive behaviors that are out of proportion to the cause of irritation.
While all children and adults experience rage, attacks due to IED are out of control and defined by what is called impulse aggression. This means that the behavior is unexpected, impulsive, and in reaction to something that did not warrant that size of a reaction. The person may or may not be violent toward others if they suffer from intermittent explosive disorder.
Co-occurring diagnosis of other mental illnesses has been shown to increase the risk of IED development, such as depression. However, IED can also be tied to the home environment. Growing up in a family with explosive behaviors, physical abuse, or verbal abuse may increase a child’s risk of developing IED.
While every treatment plan is different, IED treatment options may include some of the following:
DMDD is a relatively new diagnosis, only defined since 2013. The current treatment is fairly similar to other behavioral disorders. It may include the following, depending on the case:
Many people self-medicate with addictive substances to control or manage symptoms of mental health disorders. Many behavioral disorders, when untreated, can lead to an inclination toward impulsive behavior. This can sabotage a person’s efforts to build a life of consistent sobriety.
Dual diagnosis is a type of addiction treatment that’s built to address these issues. The person’s mental health disorder is kept in mind in designing the person’s treatment plan and relapse prevention plan. Coping skills for alleviating symptoms are discussed and practiced to prevent relapse due to self-medication. Therapy and other wellness-driven treatments are selected with an eye to what could potentially help to treat the mental disorder as well.
Having a mental health disorder or substance abuse (or both) doesn’t mean someone is guaranteed to have behavioral issues or violent behavior. Multiple treatment options are available for adults looking to take control of their mental health or behavioral disorders. If addiction is also in the mix, it becomes even more important to seek out treatment that helps from every possible angle. A condition known to raise someone’s capacity for impulsive behavior may prolong addiction even if the person dearly desires to quit.
Don’t let substance abuse and mental health disorders run your life. Contact us today at 449 Recovery and learn more about how you can start taking control.
