Categories
Mental Health Mood Disorders

What Are Teen Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders?

Disruptive, impulse control and conduct disorders are a group of conditions diagnosed in children and teens, characterized by long-lasting and consistent destructive behavior across multiple situations and a disregard for others and the law. These conditions are understood to be like anxiety and depression.

Still, instead of directing these negative thoughts and destructive forces inward, those diagnosed with a disruptive behavior disorder or impulse control disorder direct them outward. Common conditions that fall under the umbrella of impulse control disorder and disruptive behavior disorders include:

While kleptomania and pyromania are among the rarer ones, affecting under one percent of children, the other disorders are more common. About 6 percent of children are estimated to have an oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder, and nearly 3 percent have an intermittent explosive disorder.

More than just another name for unruly behavior, these disorders are only diagnosed in children who display symptoms of severe aggression, destruction of property, constant rule-breaking despite certain consequences, and highly impulsive behavior, among other characteristics.

Teen Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)

Teen intermittent explosive disorder is characterized by repeated and sudden physical and verbal violence and extreme anger. While children and even teens are not particularly known for being in control of their emotions, there is a point at which the constant lack of control can cause concern.

IED can be identified by these severe and recurring temper explosions more than just a simple anger management problem. If your teen is likely to throw temper tantrums and lose their temper at the slightest push, repeatedly flying off the handle with little to no warning regardless of the setting or circumstances, then they might be struggling with IED.

They may be separated by weeks of nonaggression, but if they have been an issue for a year or longer and often happen with no discernable reason, they may be a sign that your teen needs treatment. These episodes can manifest in different ways and usually consist of either:

    • Fights
    • Tirades
    • Temper tantrums
    • Property damage
    • Extreme threats against people and/or animals

Teens with the intermittent explosive disorder usually feel relaxed or relieved after an episode has ended. They may regularly express regret or remorse yet fail to control their temper.

Teen Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Oppositional behavior is yet another trademark of the average teen. Children and teens may intentionally defy orders and go against the wishes of those around them. The trope of the rebelling teenager is universally understood because, for many of us, a big part of becoming independent is figuring out what we do not like and want.

But normal oppositional behavior has its limits, and teens either know where to draw the line or learn it quickly. When a child or teen repeatedly shows anger, disdain, and even abject hatred towards any authority figure (including their family), they may have oppositional defiant disorder.

ODD is characterized by oppositional behavior that is consistently impairing a teen’s social life and relationships at home and school, rarely developing late into puberty, and the first signs are usually seen in preschool. Its latest onset is during the early teen years. Some common signs of ODD include (but is not limited to):

    • Consistently irritable mood.
    • Argues often with authority figures.
    • Blames others for their mistakes and failures.
    • Refuses to follow or deliberately ignores requests and rules.

The causes behind oppositional defiant disorder can differ from teen to teen, though both temperament and parenting play significant roles. When the bridge between a teen and their parents has been burnt, professional help might be the best next answer.

Teen Conduct Disorder (CD)

Where violent episodes characterize the IED, and ODD is usually directed solely at authority figures, a CD is characterized by behavior that is generally callous and inconsiderate, to the point of completely ignoring others’ needs and rights and causing direct and indirect harm to other people. Conduct disorders can include theft and property destruction, hurting or abusing animals, and cruelty. Other common behaviors include (but is not limited to):

    • Relentless bullying.
    • Physical abuse towards a friend or partner.
    • Lying to no real benefit (for the fun of lying).
    • Stealing items of no value (for the fun of stealing).
    • Deliberately causing harm or annoyance for self-gratification.
    • Coercing people with threats of violence or even death, including wielding a weapon.

Another important characteristic is that conduct disorders are not learned behavior, i.e., they are not something a teen picked up from others and decided was normal. Teens who grew up in abusive households may be more likely to develop a conduct disorder. Still, an important distinction to make is that a teen with a conduct disorder understands that they are hurting others or doing harm but takes pleasure in it. Children and teens with conduct disorders may develop and be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.

Kleptomania and Pyromania

Kleptomania (stealing things) and pyromania (arson) are two classic examples of an impulse control disorder and are sometimes associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These conditions are like behavioral addictions, characterized by consistent dangerous behaviors that a teen cannot fully control or refrain from. While some teens steal and other teens fuel fires, the inability to stop oneself from dangerous impulses to cope with anxieties and struggles may hint at an impulse control disorder.

Co-Occurring Conditions

These conditions are often related to or can co-occur alongside other teen mental health issues, including:

When to Seek Professional Help

The main difference between disordered behavior and unwanted or unsavory behavior is the inability to change without intervention, the severity of the behavior, and how it affects others. It is entirely normal for teens to misbehave and push boundaries. Sometimes, they go too far and make mistakes they learn from. Some teens take longer to learn certain lessons than others.

But when a teen repeatedly and remorselessly hurts others, or shows remorse yet fails to control themselves, or otherwise becomes a danger to themselves or those around them, it is time to seek professional advice. Disruptive, impulse control and conduct disorders can be severe and damaging to teens and their loved ones. If you suspect that your teen might not be able to improve their behavior on their own, it may be time to get help.

Categories
Mental Health

When Poor Self-Control Is Really an Impulse Control Disorder (ICD)

Everyone can have a bad day. Most people can recognize times when they were not acting like their best self, and when they have responded poorly to a situation or caused distress for others around them. It is part of human nature to lose our cool every once in awhile. When the inability to control ourselves becomes a pattern, however, we may be suffering from a clinically diagnosable problem.

The guiding document for clinicians is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This book is published by leading experts in the field of psychology, and instructs clinicians in determining accurate diagnoses for those suffering from mental health problems. The most recent version – the DSM V – includes a new grouping of disorders. This category includes descriptions of behaviors which qualify a person for a diagnosis of an impulse control disorder (ICD).

Recognizing an Impulse Control Disorder (ICD)

The hallmark of an impulse control disorder (ICD) is the inability of a person to resist the urge to act out in ways which cause stress and harm for both the individual, and for those around. A person with an ICD experiences a compulsion toward behaving in a certain way. He or she will feel unable to stop the behavior, and may experience intense anxiety if the actions aren’t able to be carried out. Typical antecedents to impulsive behavior include situations which are tense or stressful.

Before engaging in the behavior, a person with ICD will typically be experiencing unpleasant feelings. The behaviors which follow the negative emotional experience will provide the person with a sense of temporary relief. Acting out on a compulsion brings a person excitement, pleasure, or a peaceful feeling. Sometimes, a feeling of euphoria will persist for a period of time following the behavior, similarly to how a drug high operates. Following these good feelings which arise from engaging in destructive actions, a person suffering from ICD may feel:

    • Exhausted
    • Guilty
    • Depressed
    • Remorseful

Depending on the results of the event, there may also be dire consequences involved, such as school expulsions or legal ramifications. In order to qualify for a diagnosis of ICD, these patterns of behavior need to manifest without the influence of a chemical substance, and without the presence of other diagnosable conditions which can account for the inability to control negative behavior. Cognitive and emotional problems to rule out before providing a diagnosis of an ICD include:

    • Mood disorders
    • Attention disorders
    • Intellectual disabilities

Types of Impulse Control Disorders

Because of the varying factors which can contribute to a person acting impulsively, diagnoses of impulse control disorders are often delayed until the point that a clinician is able to effectively eliminate other emotional, situational, or cognitive diagnoses. ICD diagnoses are made on the basis of observed behaviors, and are most often treated through the use of behavior-oriented approaches. This is in contrast to the typical treatments for mood disorders, which tend to focus on thought restructuring and medication intervention. The following are descriptions of the most common types of impulse control disorders:

Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED)

In order to qualify for a diagnosis of IED, a child must be at least six years old. This is so that the typical toddler behaviors of testing limits and expressing displeasure through throwing temper tantrums are accounted for. After this developmental period, a diagnosis of IED can be ascribed at any age. A person with IED will display a pattern of angry and aggressive outbursts, often resulting in assault on others or destruction of property. These expressions of anger must be out of proportion to the actual circumstances, and will seem to come out of nowhere. The impulsive nature of IED means that the acts of verbal or physical aggression are not premeditated.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

This behavior disorder is another one that can be recognized in childhood. A child who is frequently observed as being easily angered, resentful, and argumentative with both family members and at least one person outside of the family is at risk for this diagnosis. If the child consistently disregards the rules set by authority figures, deliberately annoys other people, refuses to be accountable for his or her actions, or is vindictive, the diagnosis becomes even more likely. Parental intervention is considered highly effective for treating the symptoms of ODD.

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is often viewed as a continuation of ODD, and is most often assigned during the adolescent years. In addition to the characteristics found with ODD, a person with Conduct Disorder will progress to the point of bullying and threatening others. He or she will have had a history of physically harming other people, torturing or killing animals, destroying property, or stealing. There is often little expressed guilt or remorse for these actions, and the adolescent will justify the behaviors on the basis of blaming others for his or her reactions.

Anitsocial Personality Disorder (ASPD)

After the age of 18, ICD diagnoses which have been assigned during childhood can be adjusted to reflect that of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Unlike with the diagnoses of ODD or Conduct Disorder, a personality disorder is considered to be a trait which defines a person’s permanent orientation to the world. A person with ASPD will consistently disregard the rights of others, will refuse to conform to societal expectations, and will lie or become aggressive in order to promote his or her own agenda.

The impulsive nature of the disorder means that the individual does not effectively plan ahead before engaging in such actions, and the characteristic of lack of remorse means that there will be little reflection on the consequences. A large portion of those diagnosed with this disorder will find themselves incarcerated. A person with this disorder will often fail to acknowledge that there is a problem, and will not actively seek treatment. As such, rehabilitation rates for ASPD tend to be low.

Exit mobile version