Question 1

Is behavioral disorder a mental illness?

Accepted Answer

While there is a close connection between behavioral disorders and mental illness, the two are not the same thing. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines a mental illness as a behavioral, mental, or emotional disorder. Basically, mental illness is considered a subset of the behavioral disorder category.

A behavioral disorder covers a broad range of issues. Because behavioral disorders include a pattern of repetitive behaviors, they can occur for a variety of reasons and lead to many deeper issues. Common behavioral disorders that lead to inattention, drug use, criminal acts, or secrecy, could be caused by a variety of mental illnesses.

Mental illnesses, on the other hand, are usually more specific types of behavioral disorders. They are the underlying cause of behavioral issues in those affected.

Common mental illnesses include things like:

Depression
Social anxiety
Panic disorder
Severe phobias
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
PTSD
Eating disorders
Psychotic disorders

Each of these conditions is caused by internal and external factors and results in severe and unusual behavioral changes that could become dangerous for those affected and for their loved ones.

Parent quiz: Child mental health checklist

This 3-minute, online quiz can be used if you think your child is having emotional, attentional, or behavioral difficulties.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Question 2

What are behavioral symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral symptoms are persistent or repetitive behaviors that we view as unusual, disruptive, harmful, or inappropriate. All behaviors are ways of acting and reacting to the environment and to inner thoughts or emotions.

When a person starts using behavior that is unusual or harmful, they should be considered to have a behavioral issue of some kind.

Behavioral symptoms come in many forms. Common symptoms include:

Aggression
Drug abuse
Hostility
Inattention
Secrecy
Criminal actions
Self-harm
Depression or anxiety

There may be many other symptoms also associated with behavioral issues. A majority of behavioral issues are related to poor home life situations or to certain conditions such as ADHD, Autism, or PTSD. Any issue that affects the brain and how it works can cause behavioral symptoms.

Many behavioral symptoms are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Genetics may also play a role in the development of behavioral symptoms and their severity in certain individuals.

Diseases like dementia and schizophrenia are often associated with more severe behavioral symptoms, and both of these diseases are generally thought to be affected by genetics.

When looking for behavioral symptoms, keep in mind what behavior is considered normal for each individual with whom you're interacting and how their specific environment may lead them to act in unusual or dangerous ways.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Question 3

What is the most common behavioral disorder?

Accepted Answer

The most common behavioral disorder is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While it often comes across as a childhood disorder, it is not a condition that individuals outgrow and affects about 11% of school-going children.

In addition, the symptoms do not go away in about 75% of the people affected. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the type of ADHD the child has.

Symptoms of inattentive ADHD include:

Avoiding tasks that require mental effort
Difficulty focusing, difficulty following instructions
Making seemingly careless mistakes
Disorganization
Easily distracted
Forgetfulness
Frequently losing things

Symptoms of hyperactive/impulsive ADHD include:

Inability to sit still
Talking incessantly
Trouble participating in activities that require quietness
Impatience
Making inappropriate comments
Acting without considering the consequences.

Parent quiz: Child mental health checklist

This 3-minute, online quiz can be used if you think your child is having emotional, attentional, or behavioral difficulties.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Question 4

When do behavior issues start?

Accepted Answer

Behavior issues can begin as early as two years old, a stage that most parents and pediatricians refer to as "terrible twos." The stage marks a part of typical development phases in young children and includes tantrums, a lot of frustration, and defiant behavior.

During this age, your child learns to talk, walk, form opinions, understand how to share, and learn about emotions. The child will want to naturally learn about their environment and do what they want to do on their terms.

However, their verbal, emotional, and physical skills are not fully developed, and they can become frustrated quickly when they cannot communicate or perform a task.

Common symptoms of behavioral issues include:

Hitting
Biting
Kicking
Throwing things

Parent quiz: Child mental health checklist

This 3-minute, online quiz can be used if you think your child is having emotional, attentional, or behavioral difficulties.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Question 5

What are three common behavioral problems?

Accepted Answer

The three most common behavioral problems are:

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Approximately one in every ten children below 12 years has oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The condition mainly affects boys rather than girls, and typical behaviors include becoming easily annoyed, irritated, or angered.

The children frequently throw tantrums and regularly argue with adults, especially their parents. They also tend to annoy others deliberately, refuse to obey rules, have low self-esteem, and blame others for their misdeeds or misfortunes.

Conduct Disorder

Many people wrongly judge children with conduct disorder as "bad kids" because of their delinquent behavior and refusal to accept rules. It's estimated that about 7% of boys and 3% of girls aged 5 to 10 years have conduct disorders.

Studies also show that about 33% of children with this condition also have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Some of their typical behaviors include:

Frequently refusing to obey their parents and authority figures
Tendency to use drugs
Repeated truancy
Lack of empathy for others
Aggressiveness towards animals and other people and sadistic tendencies
Keenness to start physical fights
Frequent lying
A tendency to run away from home
Criminal tendencies
Suicidal tendencies

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Boys are more prone to have ADHD among the two to five percent of children that have the condition. The condition presents characteristics like:

Inattention
Impulsivity
Overactivity

Parent quiz: Child mental health checklist

This 3-minute, online quiz can be used if you think your child is having emotional, attentional, or behavioral difficulties.

Need to find a therapist near you? Check out the Monarch Directory by SimplePractice to find licensed mental health therapists with availability and online booking.

Is behavioral disorder a mental illness?

Parent quiz: Child mental health checklist

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