Mental and Behavioral Health
Discover how Main Line Health helps those who struggle with mental illness and substance use live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Disruptive behavior disorders (sometimes shortened to DBD) are a group of mental health conditions that predispose people to act defiantly, especially toward authority figures. Disruptive behavior disorders can cause problematic behaviors like aggression, rule-breaking and struggling with self-control.
Anyone is capable of challenging authority or showing a strong will occasionally. But someone with a disruptive behavior disorder acts this way more frequently and intensely than what’s typical for their age and consistently out of proportion to the situation.
DBDs usually begin in childhood but often carry over into adolescence and adulthood. They can cause emotional and behavioral issues that interfere with everyday life, not only for the person with the disorder but also for their loved ones.
Disruptive behavior can also be a symptom of other disorders, and proper diagnosis and treatment can help identify the cause.
Disruptive behavior disorder symptoms vary based on the type of condition. Here are some of the most common signs of a DBD:
If you or someone you love experiences any of the above symptoms persistently, our behavioral health specialists can help you find the treatment that works best for you.
Researchers aren’t exactly sure what causes disruptive behavior disorders. A combination of genetic, biological and environmental factors may play a role in developing a DBD.
There are two main types of disruptive behavior disorders, including:
It’s not fully understood why someone develops a disruptive behavior disorder. But certain factors increase the risk of doing so:
At Main Line Health, our disruptive behavior disorder specialists will work with you or your loved one to determine the best treatment. Your care may include one or more of the following:
In order to diagnose whether you or your child has a disruptive behavior disorder, a behavioral health specialist will conduct an evaluation through tests that may include:
Discover how Main Line Health helps those who struggle with mental illness and substance use live healthy and fulfilling lives.