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:
- Hyperactivity: Constant movement, fidgeting, or talking too much
- Impulsivity: Acting or speaking without thought, such as interrupting others
- Lack of attention: Challenges with organization and focus
It is normal to have days where it is harder to focus, you feel more impulsive, or feel like having more conversations with people. For those with ADHD, these issues are intense and consistent to the point where it can be challenging to function normally. Finishing daily tasks or keeping organized in particular can be a struggle with ADHD.
Risk Factors of ADHD
Similar to other mental health issues, a combination of factors can play into an ADHD diagnosis. These include genetics and environment. But other examples include nutrition, previous brain injury, or social conditions. Research has found that men have a higher risk of ADHD than women, and that it can co-occur with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorder (SUD).
Treatment for ADHD
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:
- Psychotherapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Stress management
- Support groups
- Holistic treatment options
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Oppositional Defiant Disorder
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.
Researchers estimate that ODD is about 50% inheritable. Environmental factors can also affect a child’s risk of developing ODD. For example, inconsistent and harsh treatment from adults has been shown to contribute to ODD. Instability in the home (such as economic instability, addiction in parents, or abuse) can also increase a person’s ability to develop oppositional defiant disorder.
ODD is responsive to treatment plans that include multiple aspects. Treatment options available at 449 Recovery include:
- Medication
- Individual therapy
- Identifying and treating comorbidities like ADHD, depression, or anxiety
- Parenting and school-based interventions (in the case of children)
Conduct Disorder
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:
- Bullying or threatening others
- General aggression toward other people or animals
- Destructive behaviors, like destroying someone else’s property
- Stealing
- Complete disregard for rules at home, school, or laws
- Running away or staying out all night
While many people break a few rules in their adolescent years, CD is different. It is both the consistency of the behavior as well as the lack of remorse for harm to others.
Risk Factors of CD
While genetic components exist, those with CD are associated with other comorbidities. These include but are not limited to:
- Depression
- High testosterone levels
- Substance abuse
Lifestyle factors can have an immense impact on whether a child develops CD. These can include:
- Frequent conflict between parents
- Harsh parenting rules or inconsistent discipline
- Addiction in a parent
- Criminality or maladaptive behaviors in parent/caregivers
Treatment for CD
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.
Intermittent Explosive Disorder
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.
Risk Factors of IED
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.
Treatment for IED
While every treatment plan is different, IED treatment options may include some of the following:
- Psychotherapy
- Medications
- Identifying and treating other comorbidities
- CBT
- Therapy specifically geared toward anger management
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder in Disruptive Behavior Disorders
A condition that occurs in children and adolescents, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is categorized by extreme irritability, anger, and frequent outbursts. It is far more than a child being moody or grumpy. Instead, it is regular and intense rage and tantrums. These moods generally last throughout most days, with outbursts occurring three or more times a week for at least a year.
Children diagnosed with DMDD commonly have a comorbid mental health issue, and seeking treatment for DMDD may lead to a different diagnosis in the process. Childhood trauma, such as divorce, relocation, and abuse may increase the risk of developing DMDD.
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:
- Identifying and treating other comorbidities
- Medications, such as stimulants
- CBT
- Parental education regarding consistent reactions and discipline
The Relationship Between Behavioral Issues and Addiction in Adults
Every person with a behavioral disorder will experience it differently. It may manifest in different ways, and it may not always appear destructive. But many behavioral disorders, including ADHD, have shown strong correlations to increased rates of addiction. Drug use may start a way to purposefully express problematic behavior or challenge authority figures. But substance use still wreaks havoc on a person’s body, and addiction may only increase behavioral symptoms of their behavioral disorder.
The Value of Dual Diagnosis Treatment
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.
Receive Help for Behavioral Issues and Addiction at 449 Recovery
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.
Dr. Warren Taff MD, graduated from the University of Birmingham, England School of Medicine, with a BA from Rutgers University. He then went on to UCLA School of Public Health in Los Angeles Health and Human Services and received an MPH. He also attended an internship in internal medicine, with the Veterans Administration. Dr. Taff’s residency includes General Psychiatry at USC, with elective residencies at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia, and Royal College of Psychiatry. Board certifications include American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Dr. Taff has extensive experience in both psychiatry and addiction medicine, extending from 1979 to present. He has held professional titles that include Chief of Staff and Medical Directorship in both hospitals and private sectors.
