- Acute Flaccid Myelitis
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Arteriovenous Malformations
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Back Pain
- Brain Aneurysm
- Brain Tumors
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Childhood Brain Tumors
- Delirium
- Dementia
- Hemorrhagic Stroke
- Ischemic Stroke
- Memory
- Meningitis
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Movement Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neuroblastoma
- Neuromuscular Disorders
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Polio and Post-Polio Syndrome
- Speech and Language Problems in Children
- Stroke
- Transient Ischemic Attack
- Tremor
- Walking Problems
- West Nile Virus
- A1C
- Blood Glucose
- Diabetes
- Diabetes and Pregnancy
- Diabetes Complications
- Diabetes in Children and Teens
- Diabetes Medicines
- Diabetes Type 1
- Diabetes Type 2
- Diabetic Diet
- Diabetic Eye Problems
- Diabetic Foot
- Diabetic Heart Disease
- Diabetic Kidney Problems
- Diabetic Nerve Problems
- How to Prevent Diabetes
- Hyperglycemia
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Prediabetes
- Abortion
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Diseases
- Breast Reconstruction
- Breastfeeding
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Cesarean Delivery
- Childbirth
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometriosis
- Female Infertility
- Health Problems in Pregnancy
- High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy
- HIV and Pregnancy
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- HPV
- Hysterectomy
- Infections and Pregnancy
- Mammography
- Mastectomy
- Menopause
- Menstruation
- Miscarriage
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Ovarian Disorders
- Pelvic Floor Disorders
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Pelvic Pain
- Period Pain
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- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy and Drug Use
- Pregnancy and Opioids
- Premenstrual Syndrome
- Prenatal Care
- Prenatal Testing
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
- Sexual Problems in Women
- Stillbirth
- Teenage Pregnancy
- Trichomoniasis
- Tubal Ligation
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Diseases
- Uterine Fibroids
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- Vaginal Diseases
- Vaginitis
- Vulvar Cancer
- Vulvar Disorders
- Yeast Infections
- Alcohol
- Calcium
- Child Nutrition
- Cholesterol
- Cholesterol Levels: What You Need to Know
- Cholesterol Medicines
- DASH Eating Plan
- Eating Disorders
- Food Allergy
- HDL: The “Good” Cholesterol
- High Cholesterol in Children and Teens
- How to Lower Cholesterol
- How to Lower Cholesterol with Diet
- Infant and Newborn Nutrition
- LDL: The “Bad” Cholesterol
- Malabsorption Syndromes
- Nutrition for Older Adults
- Pregnancy and Nutrition
- Toddler Nutrition
- Triglycerides
- VLDL Cholesterol
- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
- Ataxia Telangiectasia
- Brain Malformations
- Cerebral Palsy
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
- Chiari Malformation
- Cleft Lip and Palate
- Color Blindness
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Craniofacial Abnormalities
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
- Friedreich Ataxia
- Genetic Counseling
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- Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
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- Scleroderma
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- Vaccines
- Viral Infections
- Adhesions
- Ankle Injuries and Disorders
- Arm Injuries and Disorders
- Back Injuries
- Brachial Plexus Injuries
- Burns
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- Concussion
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- Dislocated Shoulder
- Dislocations
- Elbow Injuries and Disorders
- Eye Injuries
- Facial Injuries and Disorders
- Finger Injuries and Disorders
- Foot Injuries and Disorders
- Fractures
- Hand Injuries and Disorders
- Heel Injuries and Disorders
- Hip Injuries and Disorders
- Inhalation Injuries
- Insect Bites and Stings
- Jaw Injuries and Disorders
- Knee Injuries and Disorders
- Leg Injuries and Disorders
- Mosquito Bites
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- Rotator Cuff Injuries
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- Tick Bites
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- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Wrist Injuries and Disorders
- Acute Bronchitis
- Bird Flu
- Chronic Bronchitis
- COPD
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- Croup
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- Anatomy
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- Male Infertility
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- Prostate Cancer
- Prostate Cancer Screening
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- Abdominal Pain
- Bad Breath
- Bleeding
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- Bruises
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- Chronic Pain
- Constipation
- Cough
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- Edema
- Fainting
- Fever
- Frostbite
- Gas
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Headache
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- Hives
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- Indigestion
- Itching
- Jaundice
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Pain
- Rare Diseases
- Raynaud’s Disease
- Sciatica
- Speech and Communication Disorders
- Stuttering
Child Behavior Disorders
Summary
All kids misbehave some times. And some may have temporary behavior problems due to stress. For example, the birth of a sibling, a divorce, or a death in the family may cause a child to act out. Behavior disorders are more serious. They involve a pattern of hostile, aggressive, or disruptive behaviors for more than 6 months. The behavior is also not appropriate for the child’s age.
Warning signs can include:
- Harming or threatening themselves, other people or pets
- Damaging or destroying property
- Lying or stealing
- Not doing well in school, skipping school
- Early smoking, drinking or drug use
- Early sexual activity
- Frequent tantrums and arguments
- Consistent hostility toward authority figures
If you see signs of a problem, ask for help. Poor choices can become habits. Kids who have behavior problems are at higher risk for school failure, mental health problems, and even suicide. Classes or family therapy may help parents learn to set and enforce limits. Talk therapy and behavior therapy for your child can also help.
National Institute of Mental Health
Specifics
- Aggressive Behavior American Academy of Pediatrics
- Children Who Won’t Go to School (Separation Anxiety) American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Conduct Disorder American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Disobedient Child American Academy of Pediatrics
- Disruptive Behavior Disorders American Academy of Pediatrics
- Fighting and Biting American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Shyness in Children American Academy of Pediatrics
- Swearing American Academy of Pediatrics
- Temper Tantrums Nemours Foundation
- Understanding Violent Behavior in Children and Adolescents American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Find an Expert
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health
- Psychologist Locator American Psychological Association
Treatments and Therapies
- Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage? National Institute of Mental Health
- Going to a Psychologist, Psychiatrist, or Therapist (For Kids) Nemours Foundation
- Mental Health Care: Who’s Who American Academy of Pediatrics
- Psychotherapies for Children and Adolescents American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Taking Your Child to a Therapist Nemours Foundation
- What Is a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician? American Academy of Pediatrics
Diagnosis and Tests
- Children’s Threats: When Are They Serious? American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- When to Seek Help for Your Child American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Child Behavior Disorders National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Conduct Disorder National Institutes of Health
Patient Handouts
- Conduct disorder Medical Encyclopedia
- Discipline in children Medical Encyclopedia
- Oppositional defiant disorder Medical Encyclopedia
- Temper tantrums Medical Encyclopedia
- Trichotillomania Medical Encyclopedia
Related Issues
- How to Understand Your Child’s Temperament American Academy of Pediatrics
- Teaching Your Child Self-Control Nemours Foundation
Start Here
- Normal Child Behavior American Academy of Pediatrics