One of the main psychological problems that many adolescents have is suffering from behavioral disorders.
In general, they tend to appear more in boys than in girls, and they have a very significant impact on various areas of their lives: school performance drops, family and social relationships are harmed, and of course, young people suffer from this situation.
It is a mistaken belief that these youth disorders are born during adolescence. This stage is when they are most evident because they become more acute. , but since childhood the behavioral disorder is there, in a latent state. Sometimes the symptoms are so severe that it is very difficult to address them. To do this, it is best to have professionals with experience in the field.
Although these behaviors occur and can be diagnosed, the origin of this type of psychological alterations is not well known. However, some risk factors are known, such as certain types of personality and temperament, genetic aspects and those of the environment in which the young person is raised and lives, etc.
The main behavioral disorders in adolescents have always been the following: ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), ODD (oppositional defiant disorder) and CD (conduct disorder or conduct disorder). However, ADHD has been considered a neurodevelopmental disorder for some time now.
Adolescents and behavioral disorders: the variants of this problem
Although, as we have pointed out, ADHD is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, we are going to include it in this classification, since it affects many young people and has a powerful influence on their behavior. Let’s look at the three that we mentioned before below.
This disorder is neurobiological, as it is caused by a lack of regulation in neurotransmitters. This affects the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system, and that is why it has been included in the list of neurodevelopmental disorders. However, it usually brings many young people to consultation.
A typical symptomatology of ADHD is constant hyperactivity, inability to maintain attention for a long time and excessive impulsivity. This causes the young person to not be able to think before acting. Likewise, this behavioral disorder also entails a lack of self-control, willpower, or a lack of tolerance for feeling frustrated.
2. TDN
Oppositional defiant disorder is a pattern that lasts at least 6 months. During this period, the young man experiences a mood marked by aggressiveness, irritability, as well as disobedience and a feeling of revenge. This disorder can be reflected in the adolescent’s behavior not only towards his or her closest circle.
According to the DSM-5, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, NDD carries a risk of developing severe anxiety and depression.
3. CD or Behavioral Disorder
The consequences derived from CD or behavioral disorder are reflected in a behavior that is repeated in the young person, which makes them not respect the basic rights of others , social conventions, laws or simply, the rules imposed by others, such as parents. In addition, he usually carries with him a drug addiction problem.
Treatment of behavioral disorders in adolescents
The diagnosis of all these psychological phenomena is based on the evaluation of the set of symptoms by a professional. It must be considered that Children and adolescents are more likely to manifest symptoms of mental illness because altered behaviors are identified and, therefore, when faced with so-called bad behavior, it is important to analyze whether there is a deeper underlying cause.
The only time psychopharmacological treatment is recommended has to do with the most difficult cases and in those in which other ADHD treatment has not worked. However, in these cases, the evaluation and intervention of qualified professionals is necessary.
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