Behavior Disorders  

Behavior disorders (sometimes referred to as disruptive behavior disorders) are the most common reasons children are referred for mental health evaluations and treatment. All disruptive behavior is not the same. Behavior disorders include mental health problems with a focus on behaviors that both identify emotional problems and create interpersonal and social problems for children and adolescents in the course of their development.

The most common behavior disorder in children is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children with untreated ADHD are 10 times more likely to drop out of high school. More boys than girls have ADHD. The ratios range from 4:1 to 9:1, respectively.

Conduct disorder focuses on the mental health problems identified and created by more disruptive behaviors. Oppositional defiant disorder is yet another behavior disorder that focuses on the behavior that is disruptive to relationships with others.

One-third of the children referred for mental health services are referred for aggressive behaviors.

There are many types of behavioral disorders that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.

If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please visit the Adolescent Medicine related websites page to view a list of websites that may contain additional information on that topic.

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder
Conduct Disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder

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