Emotional and behavioral disorders refers to a wide range of behaviors that humans can exhibit. The point at which a certain behavior pattern becomes a disorder depends on when it becomes an ongoing issue in relationships with friends, family members, coworkers and others. If a person’s behavior repeatedly creates difficulty in establishing or maintaining these relationships, there may be cause for concern that a behavioral disorder exists and that diagnosis and treatment may be needed.
Keep in mind that one breakup or challenging relationship with a boss or a co-worker doesn’t mean that someone has a behavioral disorder. It would be unwise for you to try to diagnose yourself (or anyone else in your life, for that matter). If you have concerns about yourself or someone you care for, your best course of action is to consult with a professional so that you can find out whether there is a behavioral disorder at play and get appropriate treatment.
Examples Of Behavioral Disorders
Depression is a very common mental health concern, and it is considered a behavioral disorder when a person has had two or more episodes of depressive symptoms. The behavioral component manifests in an inability to get along with other people or being irritable while experiencing one of these episodes.
Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorder refers to several disorders where the main symptom is extreme anxiety. Some people need to be alone with their thoughts to deal with the anxiety and their fatigue from trying to cope with it; to their friends and family, it looks like moping. In other cases, an anxiety disorder can lead to agoraphobia, or the fear of being able to leave their own environment. Anxious people may also develop nervous tics or compulsions as a way to control their environment. These behaviors can be exceedingly difficult for those closest to them to deal with, especially if they are perceived as strange or disruptive to the friend or family member’s life.
Other types of behavioral disorders include:
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Treatment For Behavioral Disorders
Once a behavioral disorder has been diagnosed, it can be successfully treated. The exact approach will vary from person to person, and may include:
- Social and emotional skills training
- Family therapy
- Medication and talk therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Anger management training
Behavioral disorders can put up road blocks to relationships with other and with your own goals, but with professional help, these difficulties can be overcome. The first step is to be aware of patterns in failed relationships and personal goals to see whether the same issues keep coming up time and again.
You are worth it! And remember, new beginnings are often disguised as painful endings…
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