Parents often find themselves caught off-guard when their child starts exhibiting behavioral issues. For instance, their child may become disruptive at school or home. Children who show signs of a behavioral disorder may benefit from an evaluation by a mental health professional. They can help determine whether there is an undiagnosed mental health or behavioral disorder driving their actions.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Children with oppositional defiant disorder start continually acting out at school, at home, or with other kids. Most children with ODD start showing symptoms of the behavioral disorder before they’re eight years old. Typical signs of ODD include:
Often getting angry or losing your temper
Arguing constantly with adults
Refusing to comply with rules or requests
Blaming others for your mistakes
Appearing resentful
Antagonizing others or becoming easily annoyed by the actions of other people
Conduct Disorder (CD). Conduct disorder is a term that encompasses persistent and emotional behaviors exhibited by children and adolescents. Young people with CD often have trouble respecting others’ rights, being empathetic, and following the rules of society. Kids with CD may be described as delinquent or “bad.” They may also show aggression toward people or animals in the following ways:
Getting into physical fights
Bullying others
Stealing from others
Deliberately harming peers
Using weapons like a stick or bat against others
Showing few signs of remorse for their actions
Destroying property