When a teen’s behaviour is disruptive or alarming, it can have an impact on the whole family. As parents, it can be hard to understand what is happening or what to do about the issue. The first step for most families is to seek counselling, or even intensive outpatient therapy. But what should a family do when that has not worked? Many teens who experience behavioural disorders can be helped by behavioural treatment programs.
Learning more about the types of behavioural disorders common to teenagers can help parents make the best choices for their child’s care. Contact Venture Academy today at 866.762.2211 for more information.
What Is a Behavioural Disorder?
Behavioural disorders are a type of mental health condition that affects how a person behaves. Although “bad” behaviour is not exactly uncommon in children and teenagers, when the behaviours become very disruptive, criminal or dangerous, they may be classified as a behavioural disorder. Many times, children and teens can be helped by receiving professional treatment from a mental health clinician who specialises in behavioural disorders.
Five Common Behavioural Disorders Experienced by Children and Adolescents
Five common examples of behavioural disorders that typically affect teens include behavioural addiction, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, conduct disorder, and oppositional-defiant disorder.
1. Behavioural Addiction
his type of disorder can include substance or alcohol abuse, but it can also happen around things like video games, internet use, shopping, sex, or other risky behaviours.
2. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is one of the most common behavioural disorders experienced by young people. It is more frequently diagnosed in boys than in girls, but current research seems to suggest that girls may be underdiagnosed because they present with a different symptom set.
3. Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD might sometimes look like anxiety or being a ‘worrywart’ at the start, but it can be a condition that is highly disruptive to a young person’s ability to navigate the world. OCD can present in a number of ways, such as excessive worrying, becoming physically ill, panic attacks, devotion to ritualistic behaviours, and becoming upset when routines are not able to be followed.
4. Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder can also present in a variety of ways, but it is one of the most common reasons that a young person is referred for mental health treatment. Conduct disorder can include behaviours such as bullying, criminal behaviour, coercion or cruelty to people or animals, violence, and destructive behaviour.
5. Oppositional-Defiant Disorder (ODD)
ODD is another common disorder that results in a young person being referred for mental health services. Adolescents dealing with ODD may be easily angered, prone to violent outbursts, argumentative, unwilling to obey authority figures, vengeful, and spiteful.
How Are Behavioural Disorders in Adolescents Treated?
Adolescents who are living with behavioural disorders can benefit from a comprehensive plan or treatment developed by a mental health professional. Often, the backbone of this kind of plan is a combination of individual, family, and possibly group counselling. In some cases, more intensive treatment programs are warranted, including outpatient and residential programs. Adolescents with behavioural disorders might receive cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or other types of specific therapeutic counselling. Learning to manage and understand their behaviours and how their disorder might affect them is critical to recovery.
Venture Academy Can Help Teens Living with Behavioural Disorders
At our treatment centres across Canada, we specialise in helping teens who are struggling with mental and behavioural health conditions recover and grow into the healthy adults they are meant to become. Our staff of highly trained clinicians have the knowledge and experience to develop a plan that will guide your adolescent back to the right path and help them achieve their fullest potential. If your teenager has been struggling with a behavioural or mental health condition, reach out to our caring and compassionate staff today at 866.762.2211.
