Potential Medical Reasons For Your Child's Behavioral Problems
If your child is exhibiting behavioral problems, the issue might not just come down to a lack of discipline. Your child's behavioral problems may be the result of your son or daughter having a medical condition. One of the most well-known is ADHD, but there are other causes as well.
Depression
Behavioral issues can result from depression, which could result from your child not having enough energy. A complication from a medical issue might be sapping your child of his or her strength. He or she might be coughing all night and not receiving a good night's rest. Until you have found the medical cause, these problems will persist.
Stress
If your child is experiencing a great deal of stress, this can lead to behavioral issues as well. These can be complications when your child has opposition defiant disorder or conduct disorder.
Substance Abuse
If your child is not behaving, he or she might be engaging in substance abuse. You should never assume that your child isn't engaging in substance abuse because there are many surprising ways that he or she may obtain the necessary substances. He or she might be sniffing glue or may be receiving drugs from a teenager.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is another common medical issue that might cause behavioral issues. This is a condition that leads to extreme shifts in mood. Your child might feel elated one moment and depressed the next. These sudden shifts in mood can affect your child's behavior. While there is no cure for this disorder, treatments are available.
If your child is in the mania period of bipolar disorder, he or she will be more likely to engage in drug abuse. She or she may also suffer from hypomania, which isn't as severe as mania but can still make your child hyper. In addition to medication, you may need to provide your child with an outlet for his or her energy.
Children tend to be very energetic, but your child might have a lack of energy. He or she might show no interest in common activities and might even engage in self-destructive behavior. A lack of energy can be associated with other medical issues, such as the depressive phase of bipolar disorder.
Other Disorders
Other disorders can negatively affect your child's behavior, such as:
- Schizophrenia
- Autism
- A concussion
To pinpoint the cause of these changes, make sure to work with a child medical specialist who can rule out potential causes. Contact a company like Southern Family Medicine Inc for more information.