Post by Mel on Dec 25, 2005 20:35:46 GMT -5
The teen years are a challenge for most adolescents and their parents, filled with episodes of anger, rebellion, and extreme moodiness. But for many kids, the teen years are a time of crisis. Their anger is out of control, and for some, minor childhood delinquencies may escalate into criminal behavior, substance abuse, inappropriate sexual activity, self-destructive behaviors and suicide attempts. These hazardous behaviors may be symptoms of disruptive disorders, the largest single group of psychiatric illnesses in adolescents. According to the American Psychiatric Association, approximately 9 percent of all boys and 2 percent of all girls under the age of 18 are affected by one of these disorders.
WHAT ARE DISRUPTIVE DISORDERS?
Psychiatrists generally separate disruptive disorders into two categories, depending on whether the individual is violating the rights of others. Oppositional defiant disorder applies to teenagers whose symptoms include uncontrolled temper, resentfulness and resistance to discipline that do not violate the rights of others. Teens with conduct disorder exhibit many of these same emotional symptoms, but they also consistently violate the rights of others or the laws of society by stealing or vandalizing property, or by harming people or animals.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A TEEN HAS A DISRUPTIVE DISORDER?
Anger, guilt, and denial can interfere with parents' ability to recognize a disruptive disorder in their child. If a teenager you know has exhibited these behaviors, especially those that are illegal, professional help should be considered.
Consistently breaks rules, stays out late, or has run away from home
Loses temper frequently, often breaking or throwing things when angry
Gets in trouble at school, has been suspended or expelled, or is frequently truant
Steals, lies
Has broken into a home and stolen or damaged property
Gets into fights, or has threatened another person with a weapon
Has injured or killed an animal
Has been in jail or gotten into trouble with the police
Sets fires
Appears to lack a conscience or not feel guilt
Has forced someone into sexual activity , participates in self-destructive or indiscriminate sexual behavior
Abuses drugs or alcohol
Has mentioned or attempted suicide
WHAT CAUSES ADOLESCENT DISRUPTIVE DISORDERS?
Angry and aggressive behaviors are often the result of underlying conditions that, undetected and untreated through the years, have increasingly interfered with the teen's ability to function and relate to others normally. Researchers have identified the following as potential contributing or causal factors in disruptive disorders:
Environment. A traumatic event, such as the illness or death of a loved one, divorce, molestation, or a particularly stressful move, can contribute to the development of a disruptive disorder. Ongoing stress, such as family discord, peer or sibling harassment, physical or sexual abuse, or living with a parent who has a psychiatric or addictive illness can make a teenager more vulnerable to disruptive disorders.
Psychiatric disorders. Some psychiatric disorders can play a role in disruptive disorders. Illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, phobias and schizophrenia have all been connected to the aggressive behaviors that are characteristic of disruptive disorders. A coexisting psychiatric disorder can also contribute to the onset of intensity of behavioral problems, or even be mistaken for a disruptive disorder.
Medical or biological factors. Epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome, mental retardation, and brain damage may also cause or contribute to angry and aggressive behaviors. A complete medical examination by a licensed physician is helpful in assessing biological factors when diagnosing a disruptive disorder.
Learning disabilities and ADHD. Learning disabilities and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition distinguished by problems with inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity, are frequently associated with disruptive disorders. Many children with learning disabilities or ADHD face a variety of emotional, learning and social difficulties that may manifest themselves as angry or aggressive behavior.
Drug or alcohol abuse. In many teens, substance abuse is a result or symptom of a disruptive disorder, functioning as an expression of the teen's rebellion or an attempt to cope with feelings of emotional pain. In other teens, substance abuse actually can contribute to the onset of a disruptive disorder by creating emotional states that stimulate aggressive behavior.
THERE IS HELP Ö
Because of the wide range of influences that may contribute to the development, or complicate the existence of disruptive disorders, a complete medical and psychiatric evaluation is necessary. A licensed physician or psychologist should diagnose and treat an individual with a psychiatric disorder. It is important for people to seek a diagnostic evaluation with one of these qualified professionals. Depending of the findings of the evaluation, treatment may include:
Individual counseling. Through talk therapy, professionals help teens understand the impact of their behaviors, take responsibility for their conduct, and work through relationship problems.
Family counseling. Professional therapists help family members improve communication with each other, unlock relationship problems that are perpetuating conflicts, and change problematic behaviors.
Group therapy. Guided by professional therapists, teens share their feelings and experiences with teens that have similar problems. This kind of therapy serves as a valuable vehicle for teens to develop new communication and problem solving skills and to provide understanding, support and empathy for each other.
Medication. A number of the underlying psychiatric or neurological conditions, such as depression or epilepsy that can contribute to the symptoms of disruptive disorders can be treated with medication.
WHAT ARE DISRUPTIVE DISORDERS?
Psychiatrists generally separate disruptive disorders into two categories, depending on whether the individual is violating the rights of others. Oppositional defiant disorder applies to teenagers whose symptoms include uncontrolled temper, resentfulness and resistance to discipline that do not violate the rights of others. Teens with conduct disorder exhibit many of these same emotional symptoms, but they also consistently violate the rights of others or the laws of society by stealing or vandalizing property, or by harming people or animals.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A TEEN HAS A DISRUPTIVE DISORDER?
Anger, guilt, and denial can interfere with parents' ability to recognize a disruptive disorder in their child. If a teenager you know has exhibited these behaviors, especially those that are illegal, professional help should be considered.
Consistently breaks rules, stays out late, or has run away from home
Loses temper frequently, often breaking or throwing things when angry
Gets in trouble at school, has been suspended or expelled, or is frequently truant
Steals, lies
Has broken into a home and stolen or damaged property
Gets into fights, or has threatened another person with a weapon
Has injured or killed an animal
Has been in jail or gotten into trouble with the police
Sets fires
Appears to lack a conscience or not feel guilt
Has forced someone into sexual activity , participates in self-destructive or indiscriminate sexual behavior
Abuses drugs or alcohol
Has mentioned or attempted suicide
WHAT CAUSES ADOLESCENT DISRUPTIVE DISORDERS?
Angry and aggressive behaviors are often the result of underlying conditions that, undetected and untreated through the years, have increasingly interfered with the teen's ability to function and relate to others normally. Researchers have identified the following as potential contributing or causal factors in disruptive disorders:
Environment. A traumatic event, such as the illness or death of a loved one, divorce, molestation, or a particularly stressful move, can contribute to the development of a disruptive disorder. Ongoing stress, such as family discord, peer or sibling harassment, physical or sexual abuse, or living with a parent who has a psychiatric or addictive illness can make a teenager more vulnerable to disruptive disorders.
Psychiatric disorders. Some psychiatric disorders can play a role in disruptive disorders. Illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, phobias and schizophrenia have all been connected to the aggressive behaviors that are characteristic of disruptive disorders. A coexisting psychiatric disorder can also contribute to the onset of intensity of behavioral problems, or even be mistaken for a disruptive disorder.
Medical or biological factors. Epilepsy, Tourette's Syndrome, mental retardation, and brain damage may also cause or contribute to angry and aggressive behaviors. A complete medical examination by a licensed physician is helpful in assessing biological factors when diagnosing a disruptive disorder.
Learning disabilities and ADHD. Learning disabilities and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition distinguished by problems with inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity, are frequently associated with disruptive disorders. Many children with learning disabilities or ADHD face a variety of emotional, learning and social difficulties that may manifest themselves as angry or aggressive behavior.
Drug or alcohol abuse. In many teens, substance abuse is a result or symptom of a disruptive disorder, functioning as an expression of the teen's rebellion or an attempt to cope with feelings of emotional pain. In other teens, substance abuse actually can contribute to the onset of a disruptive disorder by creating emotional states that stimulate aggressive behavior.
THERE IS HELP Ö
Because of the wide range of influences that may contribute to the development, or complicate the existence of disruptive disorders, a complete medical and psychiatric evaluation is necessary. A licensed physician or psychologist should diagnose and treat an individual with a psychiatric disorder. It is important for people to seek a diagnostic evaluation with one of these qualified professionals. Depending of the findings of the evaluation, treatment may include:
Individual counseling. Through talk therapy, professionals help teens understand the impact of their behaviors, take responsibility for their conduct, and work through relationship problems.
Family counseling. Professional therapists help family members improve communication with each other, unlock relationship problems that are perpetuating conflicts, and change problematic behaviors.
Group therapy. Guided by professional therapists, teens share their feelings and experiences with teens that have similar problems. This kind of therapy serves as a valuable vehicle for teens to develop new communication and problem solving skills and to provide understanding, support and empathy for each other.
Medication. A number of the underlying psychiatric or neurological conditions, such as depression or epilepsy that can contribute to the symptoms of disruptive disorders can be treated with medication.