Behavioral disorders, also known as disruptive behavioral disorders, are the most common reasons that parents are told to take their kids for mental health assessments and treatment. Behavioral disorders are also common in adults. If left untreated in childhood, these disorders can negatively affect a person’s ability to hold a job and maintain relationships.

Symptoms

Someone who has a behavioral disorder may act out or display emotional upset in different ways, which will also vary from person to person.

Causes

A behavioral disorder can have a variety of causes. According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the abnormal behavior that is usually associated with these disorders can be traced back to biological, family and school-related factors. Some biological causes may include: • Physical illness or disability • Malnutrition • Brain damage • Hereditary factors