Child behavioral issues may arise from typical developmental stages, or they may be signs of an underlying problem that will only worsen without treatment. At Dare To Care Too, in Largo, Maryland, the clinical team specializes in connecting with children and teens and getting to the real reason behind their challenging behaviors. Then they recommend tailored treatments that help each child overcome their challenges. If you’re worried about your child’s behavior, call Dare To Care Too today or book an in-person or telehealth appointment online today.

request an appointment

Why does my child have behavioral issues?

Every child experiences anger, frustration, fear, and anxiety. If they don’t have the ability to express how they feel, or they’re uncomfortable sharing their feelings, their emotions come out in meltdowns, angry outbursts, and defiant and oppositional behaviors.

When disruptive behaviors occur frequently and seem more severe than you might see in other children the same age, they’re signs of behavioral or mental health conditions.

If you’re worried about your child’s behaviors, it’s time to turn to the caring Dare To Care Too team. They can determine the reason behind the behaviors, recommend child-appropriate treatments, and teach parents ways to manage their child’s challenges.

What are the different types of child behavioral issues?

The Dare To Care Too team often helps parents needing to learn new ways to discipline or set boundaries for their kids. But it’s essential to seek help for behavioral issues that go beyond typical or expected developmental challenges.

Children and teens face many mental health challenges in their daily life, including bullying, peer pressure, stress, and, sometimes, trauma. Depression and anxiety are on an upward trend in children and teens.

At every age, kids may struggle with emotional and behavioral problems caused by developmental disabilities. Unfortunately, half of all serious mental health conditions begin in the teen years, and an estimated half of adolescents have a mental health disorder.

Behavioral issues in children and teens may be caused by mental health conditions, such as:

  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Conduct disorder
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Oppositional defiant disorder
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
  • Intermittent explosive disorder

The conditions in that list cause many possible symptoms.

What symptoms are red flags for child behavioral issues?

Parents may already be familiar with many symptoms, but this list includes the most common signs of behavioral issues:

  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Frustration
  • Lying
  • Hyperactivity and restlessness
  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Lack of focus or attention
  • Declining school achievement
  • Meeting online friends but not making friends in person
  • Making self-critical comments (I’m worthless, no one like me, etc.)
  • Arguing with adults or authority figures
  • Refusing to comply with requests
  • Blaming others for their misbehavior
  • Frequent, extreme temper tantrums
  • Verbal or physical aggression

If your child frequently struggles with these symptoms, call Dare To Care Too, or connect online to request an appointment.