Treating Your Child's Behavior Problems

Temper tantrums and boundary testing are typically normal rites of passage in childhood and adolescent development. From mood swings to attitude problems that can seem to come out of the left field for often unsuspecting parents, even perfectly healthy and well-adjusted children can display irregular behavior as they adjust to the developmental and environmental changes around them and try to navigate the complex emotions that accompany growing up. But in some cases, excessive or prolonged disruptive behavior and drastic changes in personality can be a sign of a deeper issue. If you are worried or concerned by outbursts, attention problems or academic performance or socialization issues at school or other disruptive behaviors in your child that have started to affect overall family life, a pediatrician at Surfside Pediatrics in Ventura, CA, can help you determine the cause, the appropriate treatment and proper course of action.

Evaluation and Treatment for Childhood and Adolescent Behavior Problems in Ventura, CA

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, some of the most common signs of a disruptive behavior disorder include:

• Temper tantrums
• Physical aggression/attacking other children
• Defiance of/resistance to authority (such as being excessively argumentative, lying, or stealing)

Like adults, children can suffer from a number of emotional or mental conditions that can manifest in disruptive and aggressive behavior, as well as depression, learning and social difficulties, and mood problems. Some of the most common childhood and adolescent behavior disorders include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder
• Conduct disorders
• Learning disorders
• Autism
• Eating disorders
• Depression

The severity and range of symptoms can vary from child to child, and some children can experience more than one condition at a time, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If you have noticed changes in your child's personality or disruptive behavior that seems excessive, consult with a pediatrician to help determine whether a behavioral disorder is to blame.

Find a Pediatrician in Ventura, CA

For more information on when to seek professional help and treatment for disruptive behavior, contact Surfside Pediatrics by calling (805) 643-7500 to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician today.