Disruptive Behavior Disorders

What are disruptive behavior disorders?

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.

Symptoms of disruptive behavior disorders

Disruptive behavior disorder symptoms vary based on the type of condition. Here are some of the most common signs of a DBD:

  • Frequent outbursts of anger
  • Refusing to cooperate
  • Arguing, even about minor things
  • Refusing to follow rules
  • Getting easily annoyed
  • Deliberately upsetting or hurting others
  • Blaming others for your mistakes or actions
  • Acting angry, resentful or vindictive
  • Lack of respect for other people
  • Bullying and intimidating others
  • Frequently getting in trouble at school or with law enforcement
  • Vandalism
  • Antisocial behaviors, like lying and stealing
  • Skipping school or running away from home
  • Being cruel to animals

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.

Causes of disruptive behavior disorders

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.

  • Genetics: Having family members with certain mental health conditions, including substance misuse, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders or anxiety disorders, can make you more likely to develop a disruptive behavior disorder
  • Biological factors: Imbalances in brain chemistry or experiencing neurological damage as a child can impact the way your brain regulates emotions and responds to stress, which may cause DBD
  • Environment: Exposure to difficult environments may trigger a DBD, such as having been separated from your parents, experiencing abuse or neglect as a child, or growing up in a chaotic or undisciplined home environment

Types of disruptive behavior disorders

There are two main types of disruptive behavior disorders, including:

  • Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD): ODD includes persistent patterns of anger, irritability, argumentativeness and defiant behavior towards authority figures lasting for at least six months. Oppositional defiant disorder symptoms typically begin during preschool years and almost always before age 16.
  • Conduct disorder (CD): Conduct disorder involves repeated serious aggression towards people, animals or things. While some symptoms may overlap with oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder symptoms are more severe. Someone who has been diagnosed with ODD may be diagnosed with CD later in life if their behavior intensifies.

Who is at risk for disruptive behavior disorders?

It’s not fully understood why someone develops a disruptive behavior disorder. But certain factors increase the risk of doing so:

  • Gender: Disruptive behavior disorders occur more often in males than females
  • ADHD: As many as 50% of adolescents with ADHD may also have oppositional defiant disorder, and up to 45% may have conduct disorder
  • Family history: The chances of developing a DBD are higher if you have close relatives who have experienced ADHD, depressive disorder or anxiety disorder
  • Stressful environments: Traumatic or highly stressful experiences, such as abuse, divorce or parental criminal activity, can increase the likelihood of developing a disruptive behavior disorder
  • Brain development and birth complications: Complications during pregnancy or birth, such as premature birth or low birth weight, can affect brain development and influence the risk for DBDs

Disruptive behavior disorder treatment options

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:

  • Therapy: Working with a trained therapist can help you understand your condition, identify triggers that influence behaviors and learn coping skills to manage aggression. If your child has a DBD, therapy can also teach you parenting strategies to help manage their condition and symptoms.
  • Medication: Many people with a DBD have other conditions, such as ADHD, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders or substance misuse disorders. Taking medicines that treat these conditions may improve them and, therefore, your disruptive behavior disorder.

Diagnosis and testing for disruptive behavior disorders

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:

  • Exam: You and your doctor will discuss your symptoms, thought patterns, behaviors and medical history. This will also help rule out other mental health conditions
  • Psychological assessment: Your doctor will ask questions about how often the behaviors occur, family dynamics and any strategies you’ve tried

Related specialties

Mental and Behavioral Health

Discover how Main Line Health helps those who struggle with mental illness and substance use live healthy and fulfilling lives.