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A girl cutting her own hair

Art by MissLunaRose

Behavior problems is a term to be compared with behavior disorders. Behavior problems are behaviors considered within social norms which do not seriously interfere with the general functioning of the person but which nonetheless are unwanted by them or those around them. An example would be childhood tantrums.

Some behaviors that are considered behavior problems include:[1]

  • Criminal behavior
  • Disruptive talking (e.g. in a classroom setting)
  • Drug use
  • Hoarding
  • Irritability or defiance
  • Impulsivity
  • Lying
  • Running away from home
  • Self-injurious behavior
  • Withdrawal

Medical issues[]

Not all young people with behavior problems have medical issues. It is normal for children and teens to act out at times.[2] Some children struggle more with emotional regulation than others do.

Frequent behavior problems may be a sign of an underlying condition. These include anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, dementia, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, psychosis, and more.[1]

Treating the underlying disorder(s) with therapy and/or medication may help reduce the problem behavior.[1] The person may also need appropriate support at home and school/work. Parents of children with behavior problems may benefit from advice on helping their children.

Cultural context[]

The cultural context of behavior is important here as behavior that might be normal in one culture may be regarded as problem behavior in another and a behavior disorder in another. Certain sexual behaviours, for example, are viewed differently in different parts of the world.

Both a growing group of researchers and disability advocates, especially in the autism rights movement, have advocated for the social acceptance of certain disability-related behaviors such as stimming and enjoyment of special interests.[3][4] These behaviors may help individuals self-regulate.[5] Pressuring neurodivergent people to conform to neurotypical standards (neurodivergent masking) can negatively impact their mental health.[6][7][8][9]

See also[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nall, Rachel. Problem Behavior, Healthline.
  2. Behavior Problems, Child Mind Institute
  3. Rethinking repetitive behaviors in autism
  4. Stimming, therapeutic for autistic people, deserves acceptance
  5. Kapp SK, Steward R, Crane L, Elliott D, Elphick C, Pellicano E, Russell G. 'People should be allowed to do what they like': Autistic adults' views and experiences of stimming. Autism. 2019 Oct;23(7):1782-1792. doi: 10.1177/1362361319829628. Epub 2019 Feb 28. PMID: 30818970; PMCID: PMC6728747.
  6. Hull, Laura; Petrides, K. V.; Allison, Carrie; Smith, Paula; Baron-Cohen, Simon; Lai, Meng-Chuan; Mandy, William (2017). ""Putting on My Best Normal": Social Camouflaging in Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions". Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 47 (8): 2519–2534. doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3166-5. PMC 5509825. PMID 28527095.
  7. Cassidy S, Bradley L, Shaw R, Baron-Cohen S. Risk markers for suicidality in autistic adults. Mol Autism. 2018 Jul 31;9:42. doi: 10.1186/s13229-018-0226-4. PMID: 30083306; PMCID: PMC6069847.
  8. Cassidy, S.A., Gould, K., Townsend, E. et al. Is Camouflaging Autistic Traits Associated with Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours? Expanding the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide in an Undergraduate Student Sample. J Autism Dev Disord 50, 3638–3648 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04323-3 Download citation
  9. Pearson A, Rose K. A Conceptual Analysis of Autistic Masking: Understanding the Narrative of Stigma and the Illusion of Choice. Autism Adulthood. 2021 Mar 1;3(1):52-60. doi: 10.1089/aut.2020.0043. Epub 2021 Mar 18. PMID: 36601266; PMCID: PMC8992880.