Severe disruptive behaviour disorder
Severe Disruptive behaviour Disorder: A Psychiatrist's Guide
Severe disruptive behaviour disorder, or SDBD, is a disruptive behaviour disorder that involves persistent behaviour which is significantly disruptive to the social environment. This disorder is typified by inappropriate aggressive behaviour, delinquency, rule-breaking, and property destruction. Over the years, SDBD has been one of the most difficult psychiatric disorders to accurately diagnose. Read on for a psychiatrist's guide to this disorder.
What Does Severe Disruptive Behaviour Disorder Look Like?
Those with SDBD exhibit one or more of the following behaviours:
- Extreme aggression towards people or animals
- Oppositional defiance such as refusing to obey authority figures and rules
- Destruction of property, either intentionally or in anger
- Lying and stealing
- Frequent rule-breaking at home, school, or work
- Noncompliance with instructions
These behaviours must be chronic and prevent the individual from achieving set goals. Chronic disruptive behaviour should not be confused with age-related behaviour.
What Causes Severe Disruptive Behaviour Disorder?
The underlying cause of SDBD is unknown. However, it is believed to be caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Risk factors for developing SDBD include:
- Family history of SDBD
- Exposure to extreme stress and trauma
- Lack of parental support
- School and/or home setting that is disruptive or chaotic
- Bullying or other forms of peer aggression
How Is Severe Disruptive Behaviour Disorder Diagnosed?
Diagnosing severe disruptive behaviour disorder is a complex and detailed process. A psychiatrist will take a thorough medical history and conduct a detailed interview with the patient and family members. The psychiatrist may also request additional tests to rule out physical causes of disruptive behaviour.
The patient's behaviour must meet the criteria for SDBD as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in order for a diagnosis to be made. Additionally, the patient's behaviour must be significantly disruptive to the social environment in order for the diagnosis to be accurate.
Management of Severe Disruptive Behaviour Disorder
Treatment for severe disruptive behaviour disorder depends on the individual and their symptoms. Treatment modalities may include psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and/or parental support. It is important for the psychiatrist to develop a comprehensive and individualized plan for the patient's treatment.
The goal of treatment is to help the patient manage their behaviours and improve functioning in the social environment. The psychiatrist should also work to identify and address the underlying cause of the behaviour in order to ensure the patient is able to make positive changes in the future.