Behavioral Health Disorders

What are behavioral health disorders?

Behavioral health disorders can affect children, teenagers, and even adults. They often interfere with living a fulfilling, productive, successful life and having healthy relationships with others. 

Examples of behavioral health disorders include autism spectrum disorder, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder. Properly diagnosing these conditions is the key to effective treatment.

What are the different behavioral health disorders?

Behavioral health disorders commonly treated at P.S. Psychiatry include:

Conduct disorder

Children with conduct disorder exhibit disruptive behaviors and get into trouble frequently. Because of this, they may get excluded from peer groups or have problems with teachers at school. Treatment with the P.S. Psychiatry specialists can improve your child’s behavior.

Autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is a common developmental disability caused by changes in the brain. People with autism struggle with communication and social interactions. They may have repetitive interests or behaviors and few or no friends. 

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)

ODD is characterized by oppositional behaviors, relationship challenges, anger, irritability, and argumentative, defiant, hurtful, or revengeful actions.

What are the risk factors for behavioral health disorders?

While the cause of behavioral health disorders isn’t entirely clear, risk factors include genetics, certain parenting styles, temperament, peer pressure, inconsistent discipline, and unstable family relationships. Being born prematurely and older parental age may also play roles.

Parents can feel overwhelmed by acting out and other challenges associated with behavioral health disorders, but help is within reach at P.S. Psychiatry. 

How are behavioral health disorders diagnosed?

The diagnosis of behavioral health disorders at P.S. Psychiatry involves a review of medical history, genetic testing if needed, and a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. A specialist discusses your child’s behaviors, moods, thoughts, emotions, lifestyle, and more to properly label their condition and develop an effective treatment plan.

How are behavioral health disorders treated?

P.S. Psychiatry offers the following treatments for behavioral health disorders:

• Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT)
• Behavior and communication therapy
• Educational therapy 
• Parenting skills training
• Social skills training
• Problem-solving training
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Other forms of psychotherapy (talk therapy)
• Individual and family therapy 
• Medication management
• Nutrition and wellness coaching

Your child’s specialist tailors each treatment plan to their individualized needs. They help manage therapy sessions, education, and medications. Your child may meet with a therapist once or twice weekly, or as needed, to improve social interactions and troublesome behavior patterns.

Call P.S. Psychiatry to schedule an evaluation, or use the online booking feature today to seek treatment for behavioral health disorders.