Sometimes, children who misbehave may have more than a behavioral problem; they might be suffering from a mental disorder.
This is according to Dr. Thomas R. Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
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You may read more about it here but the article doesn’t give any more information about the statement above save for these:
- Mental illnesses are developmental brain disorders
- Pediatricians are the first line of defense when identifying mental disorders which appear to be behavior problems
- Pediatricians may use questionnaires to screen for mental illnesses but better ways are:
- Cognitive and genetic tests
Hank Campbell of Science 2.0 says that calling behavior problems mental illnesses may be too much, and a few members of this forum disagree with what Dr. Insel said.
But what I’d like to know is…
What do YOU think about this?
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Children “misbehaves” because of various reasons. Mental or developmental problem can definitely be one of the possible reasons. But in order for it to be one of the possibilities, I must say that the intensity of the “misbehavior” must be really high… something that’s really bothering. That’s why when a child behaves in a certain way we deen inappropriate we do need to see past beyond the “misbehavior”. We need to understand what is behind the act and not just simple reprimand the child and send him to face the wall or send him on a time out. The child might need attention, the child might be uncomfortable, the child might be scared, etc., or worst, the child might be something from a disorder.
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I like what you said about trying to figure out why a child is misbehaving before reprimanding, sometimes it’s very difficult to do especially if we’re in a hurry or stressed.
Great read and I strongly agree. When children act out, I believe something is mentally bothering them in general. #voiceboks
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Thanks for your comment and have a great day!
I wish there could be a standard screening for children entering school. However I think some parents are probably in denial and want their kids to participate in normal activities such as school. I’ve been a witness to wondering, “What in the world is wrong with that child?” If you know the child and the family and think you can tell the difference between a child who misbehaves just because and one who has a mental disorder. Otherwise I think one wouldn’t know unless they were screened and you really couldn’t write it off as one or the other.
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I suppose it’s really down to testing the kids just to be sure what they have. Thanks for the plus 1 Kenya and have a great day!
I agree and disagree. I have two boys who are ADHD. Adding to this is the fact that they are not my natural children, and their ‘incubator’ (my term for their natural mother) put them through things no child should have to deal with. I got the boys when they were 5 and 2. We have had more problems from the older boy because his ‘formative years’ were spent with this monster and he acts out more than the younger one. Do I think he has a mental disorder? Yes, in many ways. Not a genetic one, but one brought on by being raised by a drug addicted monster.
I would like to add that alot of kids today are the way they are because their parents do not care enough to spend time with them. They hand them a wad of cash and the car keys just to get the kids out of their hair. People need to realize that children turn out best if we spend our time caring about them, and their lives…what they do, where they go, who they spend their time with. It’s what they need and deep down really want. I personally think if more parents spent more time caring what is going on with their kids, we would live in a more caring functional world.
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Oh I’m so sorry to hear that about your boys, at least they are in better hands now. We’re all heavily influenced by our environment but there are also times when our brains don’t develop well. In your kids’ case, it seems to be more of the former, but I believe it can be things can get better with love and patience.
First of all, mental disorder could not be possibly be any more broad of a term. It encompasses hundreds and hundreds of potential “issues” that may be deemed a problem with brain chemistry. But if you actually look at the DSM IV (the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), you could easily take any behavior and find a mental disorder which fits the description of the behavioral symptom. In my opinion, we could use semantics and broad symptoms to rationalize any behavior away. And what happens when you give it a name? You now have a label to a behavior that still needs to be addressed. No matter what you call it, the negative behavior needs to be changed and action needs to be taken by both the child and the caregiver to ensure that progress will be made. The best thing a label can offer you is more information on techniques to best help modify the behavior by those who have experienced it as well.
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“The best thing a label can offer you is more information on techniques to best help modify the behavior by those who have experienced it as well.” – This is SO true Lynn! I’m glad you pointed it out because the goal is to always help the child.
I have worked with kids my whole life and I have seen many kids that once the problem they were having were properly diagnosed and treated, they were like a different child. When you know what is going on, you know how to address what the behavior is.
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This is so true.. it’s why it’s good to be in touch with a professional. But I have a question, what option do folks with no money to spare on counseling have?
Actually, there are so many services that people aren’t aware of that are offered. I never knew about them before working in daycare. But the parents have to be willing to be an advocate for their child. Because if they won’t fight, the child can get lost in the system of paperwork. One of the day cares I worked in, I was in the office, and we were non profit. We often worked with the ICU (intermediate care units). It does involve a lot of paperwork and red tape.
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It’s good to know that they have options.. hopefully it’s the same here in the Philippines.
I am reminded of this unruly, impolite, and overly rude kid in my son’s class. He’s five years old and loves picking on my three-year-old. For some reason he keeps on doing things to provoke Yue, even in front of their teacher, or even me!
I’d love to share this read to his parents.
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Did you share it? Haha, but kidding aside, he may just have issues at home and I bet if those are corrected, he’d be a happier child who might even play with Yue instead. Of course, we all know that fixing things in the home front don’t come easy, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it.
No…you don’t want to know what I think, HOWEVER!!!! I will say this…what a load of ca ca. Children act out for a variety of reasons, and more often than not it’s more of a home issue, or a sibling or bullying issue. Mental illness is another excuse to pump little kids bodies full of drugs. Of course they’re different children once they’re on meds. DUH! I have 24 cousins…brothers, 6 kids and I’ll tell ya this, since the 1990′s they want to label everyone with a metal problem. And I fell for it. ONCE! NEVER AGAIN!
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Sharon! Your first sentence made me laugh! You know, I read somewhere too that people nowadays tend to prescribe medication more for the kiddos. I don’t think that’s happening a lot here in the Philippines, but I suppose it’s just a matter of time until we catch-up, so to speak. Thanks for letting us know what’s on your mind!
This is a tough subject, but I disagree, when a child acts out its not because they have something mental going on.. its because there trying to see what they can get away with first, and then it could be attention issues, or something going on in the home that is making them act out. I worked for the child study team in elementary schools, I typed the IEP’s for the meetings, and the things that I read were crazy, I would read the reports and it would say from a single parent home, mother works all day, he has to go to after care etc. well thats why he is acting out, for attention, not because he has some mental problem, so this subject just doesnt sit well with me, all my kiddies are all different, some were slow to read, some were shy, some wouldnt talk unless spoken to, I can go on and on, and guess what NOTHING IS WRONG with them, it seems like nowadays almost every parent i come across, says oh my child has this, and my child has this, I say to them dont claim that, pray about it and see if God would move. Ok Anne I am going to stop now. Good post as usual!!
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Thank you so much for sharing that, Pamela. I can’t help but think that as we learn more about human behavior and development – due to technologically advancements – more disorders and labels will come into light. I suppose some people are old school and just believe that people are either behaving or misbehaving, while others use the “labels” to raise better children.
Whatever it may be, what I see is that the goal of both camps is to simply help children. What we should be wary of is those who use labels as an excuse to let certain behaviors pass. (Loved your comment, by the way)
I worked with kids who had behqavior issues due to mental disorders – but some was due to inconsistent parenting.
It depends on the kid.
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Isn’t frightening how much environment – especially parenting – influences a child?
I couldn’t agree more with that statement! As much as I agree with mental issue causing problems and that helping them can help so much.
If the parents are all over the place, the child is a wreck and misbehaves because they can.
My neighbors little boy is so bad because he acts out and gets away with. The dr says he has occupational defiance disorder. When this little boy is at my house, he is as good as gold. because in my house, the rules are clearly defined, with set expectations, and set consequences. He has been here for 10 hours a day for days on end, while he parents are at work with very few problems. He had few problems at school. His problems were before he entered school at home with his parents and his aunt.
Now in school his problems have disappeared.
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Some kids just need rules and consistency. What you and Leigh said is a great reminder of that fact.
I believe it depends, children are often going through a lot of different things at home and may not be getting the parenting they need. However, mental illnesses are real and should be treated when a clinical professional has evaluated and diagnosed the child.
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Welcome to Green Eggs & Moms, Elle! I actually agree with you… what’s best is to really figure out WHY kids are acting up and work from there.
The word mental disorder has such a stigma in our society, but I do believe that many behavioral issues are parenting related. Sometimes giving a behavioral issue a “name” means the child can be medicated, and I’m not sure that’s always the best solution.
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It’s good for parents to explore other natural methods first before handing kids medication, but of course, in today’s world where double income homes are increasing, medication seems like an easier choice.
Can’ also blame parents who have to work long hours to make ends meet. It can be a tricky situation, unfortunately.
Anne,
I wholeheartedly agree. We have struggled for some time with our son’s difficult behavior…I consistently had him checked out and although in our case, he happens to just be “difficult”, I was told by the dr. that in many cases, mental disorders do go undiagnosed.
Great post.
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I think we’ll continue to learn about how the brain works in the coming years. Also, unless these doctor’s give more information on how mental disorders affect behavior, most of us will remain skeptical.
This is very informative. We need to closely watch and find out why our kids are behaving badly. We should not just ignore it. Sometimes, it can be just a kids tantrums but at times it can be emerged from some mental disorder also. Thanks for this. I’m sharing in twitter..
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Yup, parenting requires a lot of observation and analysis too
Thank you so much for sharing this in twitter.
I have a hard time with this statement—because I think EVERONE has their own way of rating behavior—so what Ms X might see as misbehavior–I might see it as Kids being kids—MY tolerance to behavior might be stronger after years of working with children– I’m not saying that misbehavior cannot be a sign of a mental disorder, but I’d hate to see every kid that acts up a little too much for one presons liking-have to be exposed to many unnesseary testings.
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It’s true that we have difference tolerance levels for misbehaving children. I suppose the key is really knowing your child enough to determine whether he’s just difficult or there’s something wrong.
Such good information. Sometimes I’ve wondered if our daughter may suffer from some of the mental illness that comes from my husband’s side… She seems to have a blank look in her eyes sometimes, and can be very defiant. It’s hard to think that our children may be struggling with something deeper than just the terrible twos (or threes or fours).
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I might get angry cyber stares for suggesting this but for your peace of mind, you may have her checked. Who knows it might have something to do with lack of sleep or something (not saying your daughter has this). Sleep affects our moods and behavior.. difference is, we adults have learned how to cope with fewer Z’s, children haven’t.
Interesting. I’m not one who likes to label or medicate children. I am an advocate for kids and do want them to achieve their best whatever that is individually for each child.
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I think labels are good when the goal is to help children through whatever they have. However, if it’s used in a derogatory manner, it’s no good. I suppose it’s the latter that has stained “labels.”
Anne…I think you have had an earfull of what people think of misbehavior.. I think we need to be in tuned with our children making sure they have companionship, after that we need to rule out all other possibilities.
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Couldn’t have said it any better, Carla