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

Journal Articles

• Child Behavior Disorders