Updated, rewritten, and Fact-Checked June 2024 by: Christine Zambos, LMFT
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Added data to support how common DBDs are in Teenagers
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Rewrote the section about What DBDs are and added medical support
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Added a new section about how to manage DBDs
Behavioral disorders in teens consist of different diagnoses, each presenting a range of symptoms that influence disruptive behavior and impact everyday activities.
Even though various mental health issues can impact behavior, behavioral disorders are specifically characterized by a consistent pattern of disruptive behaviors lasting at least 6 months, as stated by the APA Dictionary of Psychology.
The symptoms and severity of behavior disorders in teenagers can differ based on various factors such as their environment, genetics, home structure, and underlying mental health issues.
What Are Disruptive Behavior Disorders (DBD) in Teens?
Disruptive behavior disorders can involve a variety of behaviors including lack of attention span, problems in school, hyperactivity, impulsivity or defiant behavior. Without intervention, behavior disorders can cause serious problems for teens’ ability to function in daily life.
Behavior disorders can be tricky to diagnose because some of the symptoms overlap with other mental health problems (depression or anxiety) or neurodevelopmental disorders (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Diagnosing DBDs usually requires a comprehensive assessment.
Diagnosing a behavior disorder in teens is often conducted by a specialist team of a child psychiatrist, psychologist and pediatrician. They use a behavior checklist, conduct in-depth interviews with the family and teachers, and rule out any acute stressors that could be influencing the teenager´s behavior.
The most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorders in adolescents include attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD).
Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of the three. Teens with this diagnosis often struggle to keep their focus and concentration, leading to problems in school or the workplace.
Behaviors of ADHD often appear in children and teens, but can grow worse in adulthood if not treated properly. Some common behaviors in teens diagnosed with ADHD include:
- Impulsivity
- Recklessness
- Impatience
- Struggling to stay still (fidgeting)
- Forgetfulness
- Losing items consistently (keys, homework, cellphone)
Boys are diagnosed with ADHD at two times the rate of girls, although the reasons behind this are still not well understood. Some theorize it is because of socialization. Boys may be more likely to externalize negative behaviors (physical aggression, defiance with adults, troubles with the law), while girls tend to internalize negative behaviors (self harm, substance abuse, binge eating).
Although ADHD is not curable, there are a number of medications and behavioral interventions (eating a balanced diet, following a structured routine, healthy sleeping habits, positive role models) that can greatly reduce symptoms and help your teen live a functional life.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Oppositional defiant disorder is characterized by on-going periods of disobedience and hostile behaviors. While it is normal for teens to have “outbursts”, these are often much worse, more frequent and abnormal for their developmental stage. Some of the symptoms that teens with ODD exhibit include:
- Temper tantrums
- Low self-esteem
- Inability to take accountability (blames others)
- Increased anger or irritability
- General defiance to authority
Conduct Disorder (CD)
Conduct disorder may have similar symptoms of ODD with hostile behavior, but they are heightened to general defiance and a pattern of delinquent behavior.
Conduct disorder may be considered the most severe due to increased symptoms of aggression and violence. Some symptoms that could indicate your teen has CD include:
- Aggression (starting physical fights, breaking items)
- Severe lack of impulse control (aggression in home, school or public spaces)
- Lying and manipulation
- Destruction of property, vandalism, arson
- Lack of regard and disrespect of societal norms or personal boundaries
Without treatment, conduct disorder can lead to severe legal consequences that follow a teen into adulthood.
What Causes DBDs?
The research surrounding what causes these commonly diagnosed DBDs is still ongoing. While some DBDs such as ADHD may be more genetic, the influence of family structure, home environment or trauma may cause other disruptive behavioral disorders such as ODD to develop.
In teens with CD and ODD, it is extremely common to have comorbid diagnoses with other mental health problems. One study found one quarter of teens diagnosed with CD also have ADHD.
Some potential causes of the DBDs could include:
- Genetics (certain developmental brain abnormalities such as ADHD are more likely to run in families)
- History of trauma (sexual, physical or emotional abuse)
- Witnessing domestic violence in the home from a young age (more specific in cases of ODD and CD)
- Intellectual disabilities (research found that children with intellectual disabilities are two times more likely to develop DBDs)
- Gestation and birth defects from problems in pregnancy of the mother (exposure to chemicals, drugs, infections, heavy metals)
- Substance abuse
How Common Are DBDs in Teenagers?
ADHD is by far the most commonly diagnosed DBD, affecting about 11.3% of teens aged 5-17. ODD and CD are less common, but still affect up to about 3% of the population.
These diagnoses tend to be found in boys at double the rate of girls. The reason is unknown but many theorize it is due to socialization.
Managing Behavioral Disorders
Helping your teen manage behavioral disorders can be challenging without proper treatment and intervention. DBDs can cause lower academic performance, lead to legal consequences and unfortunately follow a teen into adulthood.
It is recommended to seek professional help for a behavior disorder. Specialists will work with the teen and the family to help establish boundaries, set rules, treat underlying mental health problems and identity stressors that may trigger episodes of disruptive behavior.
Some common treatments used to help manage disruptive behavior disorders in teens may include:
- Family therapy to help build structure in the home and develop specific routines
- Negative consequences for negative behavior, and positive rewards for positive behavior
- Medication to treat underlying mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or mood disorders
- Anger management classes to teach teens how to safely deal with their aggression
- Parental education to teach parents and guardians how to model positive behavior, build open communication and help their teen emotionally regulate
Seeking Professional Help
Due to the complexity of DBDs and the severity of their consequences, early intervention and proper treatment from specialized mental health professionals can make a great difference in your teens daily functioning.
At Clearfork Academy our team of compassionate and trained staff understand the complex nature of diagnosing and treating symptoms of disruptive behavior disorders. Reach out to our qualified Admissions team to learn more.
Sources
Ogundele M. O. 2018. Behavioral and emotional disorders in childhood: A brief overview for pediatricians. World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, 7(1), 9–26.
Drechsler, R., Brem, S., Brandeis, D., Grünblatt, E., Berger, G., & Walitza, S. 2020. ADHD: Current Concepts and Treatments in Children and Adolescents. Neuropediatrics, 51(5), 315–335.
- Attention Deficit HyperActivity Disorder (ADHD). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
