Problem behaviors are those that aren’t considered typically acceptable. Nearly everyone can have a moment of disruptive behavior or an error in judgment. However, problem behavior is a consistent pattern.
Problem behaviors can vary in terms of severity. They can occur in children as well as in adults. People with problem behaviors often require medical intervention to improve their symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Problem Behavior?
Problem behavior can have many symptoms, including but not limited to:
abuse of alcohol or drugs
agitation
angry, defiant behaviors
carelessness
disinterest or withdrawal from daily life
drug use
emotional flatness
excessive, disruptive talking
hoarding useless objects
inappropriate behavior
inflated self-esteem or overconfidence
obsessive thoughts
poor judgment
property damage
self-injury
Problem behavior can range from the absence of emotions to aggressive emotions.
According to the Merck Manual, behavior problems often show themselves in different ways among girls and boys. For example, boys with problem behavior may fight, steal, or deface property. Girls with problem behavior may lie or run away from home. Both are at greater risk for drug and alcohol abuse.
What Causes Problem Behavior?
There are multiple causes associated with problem behavior. A psychiatric, mental health, or medical professional should evaluate a person with problem behavior to determine the cause.
Causes of problem behavior can be a life event or family situation. A person might have a family conflict, struggle with poverty, feel anxious, or have had a death in the family. Aging can also lead to dementia, which affects a person’s behavior.
Common conditions related to problem behavior include, but aren’t limited to:
anxiety disorder
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
bipolar disorder
conduct disorder
delirium
dementia
depression
obsessive-compulsive disorder
oppositional defiant disorder
postpartum depression
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
psychosis
schizophrenia
substance abuse