Monday-Sunday 08:30 - 20:00
Kyiv, 17 Kovpaka St. (On the map)
Bila Tserkva, 191A Tarashchanska St. (On the map)
Behavior problems in children are common and cause concern for parents and others around the child. The specialists at CSM Clinic can help identify the causes of behavioral disorders and determine a strategy for addressing them.
Do teachers often complain about fights started by your son or daughter? Are you tired of reading teachers' remarks in the school diary, or does your child often lie to you? Behavior problems in children are a fairly common issue that causes distress not only for parents, teachers and others, but also for the child. Correction of behavioral disorders in children can be carried out by the specialists at CSM Clinic.
Behavioral disorders are a group of disruptive behavioral conditions expressed through inappropriate, demonstrative or aggressive actions that do not correspond to the child's age and social norms. Without proper correction, the condition may become a foundation for poor performance at school, problems and difficulties in interacting with adults and peers, and problems in intellectual, social and emotional development.
Specialists distinguish the following main types of behavioral disorders:
Behavioral disorders in children often go unnoticed and are written off as age-related traits, fatigue or poor upbringing. However, if similar situations recur regularly and remain uncorrected, they leave a negative mark on the child's future. Timely detection and comprehensive help from specialists can help minimize the possible undesirable consequences of behavioral disorders.
According to ICD-10, behavioral disorders are divided into several types:
The causes of behavioral disorders may be related both to environmental influences and to biological predisposition. Numerous studies indicate that upbringing has a major influence on the formation of a child's behavior. Psychophysiological characteristics or hereditary predisposition play a secondary role and more often act as risk factors for the development of behavioral disorders in children.
The causes of behavioral disorders in children include the following groups of factors:
A behavioral disorder triggered by physiological causes is associated with excess testosterone or with impaired metabolism or neurotransmitter activity. These factors alter the targeted transmission of nerve impulses and cause an imbalance in the processes of excitation and inhibition.
Proper upbringing and a calm, friendly attitude can offset physiological abnormalities. Stress, frequent quarrels and conflicts, excessive coldness or the absence of trusting relationships worsen the child's unstable state and lead to the development of behavioral disorders.
Three main symptoms of behavioral disorders in children are distinguished:
These manifestations may be occasional and can be a variant of the norm. Disobedience often appears in children during critical years of development, but it is mild and passes without a trace once the crisis is over. In behavioral disorders in children, the signs are persistent and in some cases progressive. They are observed for six months and are excessive in form. Behavioral disorders in teenagers are often associated with the onset of puberty.
Behavioral disorders in children can occur at any age. Most often they develop gradually.
The following are considered typical manifestations of behavioral disorders:
Lack of correction of persistent behavioral changes leads to consequences of behavioral disorders in adulthood. Girls with antisocial behavior later suffer from emotional and personality disorders in the form of neuroses or psychopathies. Young men often become dependent on drugs or alcohol, lead an antisocial lifestyle, are prone to aggression and violence, commit offenses or become involved in criminal groups. People whose behavioral disorders were not corrected in childhood often have difficulties with getting an education, finding employment and starting a family.
To diagnose a behavioral disorder in childhood or adolescence, a psychiatrist consultation is needed. The doctor talks with the patient and his or her parents (or guardians) to clarify the nature, severity, frequency and duration of antisocial acts, and asks about the child's mood, communication with children and adults, intellectual development and school performance. During the consultation, the specialist observes the relationship between the child and the parents, the patient's behavior, and his or her reactions to current issues and to the conversation with the parents.
Questionnaire-based tests are used to determine emotional and personality traits and to identify states of depression, maladjustment, bitterness, a tendency toward impulsive acts and aggressiveness. The choice of test methods depends on the patient's age and health condition.
If necessary, a neurologist consultation or an endocrinologist consultation is prescribed to identify physiological causes of behavioral disorders.
After obtaining all the data, the doctor analyzes it and differentiates the condition from autism and ASD, adjustment disorders, variants of the norm, hyperactivity syndrome and subcultural deviations.
When a behavioral disorder is identified, a plan of comprehensive psychotherapeutic treatment for the behavioral disorder and any accompanying conditions is drawn up. The program includes various behavioral methods of psychotherapy, supported by group trainings. If necessary, drug therapy is recommended. Sedatives, tranquilizers and neuroleptics may be used to stabilize the nervous system. Medications and their dosages are chosen according to the age of the child or teenager and the features of their overall health.
At CSM Clinic, the treatment of behavioral disorders can be supplemented with methods such as:
Consultations with a psychologist are recommended for correcting behavioral disorders in children and supporting parents. The specialist helps develop the right tactics for communicating with a difficult child and teaches the child the necessary skills for managing conflict situations and aggression, improving self-esteem, and interacting with other people and peers. Family counseling helps create a positive atmosphere, set boundaries of what is allowed and build a spirit of cooperation in relationships.
To prevent behavioral disorders in children and teenagers, it is necessary to:
Do you want to improve your relationship with your child and are looking for a good specialist? Contacting CSM Clinic will help you start proper behavior correction with experienced psychologists and doctors in related specialties. You can book an appointment by calling the call center, by filling out the online booking form, or by ordering a callback.
