Understanding Common Adolescent Behavioral Disorders In this lesson, we address common adolescent behavioral disorders. Much like childhood disorders,

Understanding Common Adolescent Behavioral Disorders

In this lesson, we address common adolescent behavioral disorders. Much like childhood disorders, most adolescents do not have behavioral disorders, but may have expected and developmentally inappropriate behaviors; therefore, a distinction is needed between the two. For example, it is typical for adolescents to engage in activity that goes against some social norms (staying out past curfew, some level of romantic behavior, some level of defying authority) whereas it is not typical for an adolescent to engage in behaviors that violates social norms and expectations (being away from home for extended periods whereabouts unknown, careless sexual activity, engaging in conduct considered criminal if an adult).

 

The most common adolescent behavioral disorders include anxiety disorders, depression, and conduct disorders. Anxiety disorders can include generalized anxiety, phobias, panic disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorders. Depression can include disorders in thoughts, emotions, or motivation. Conduct disorders can include lying, theft, aggression, truancy, fire setting, and cruelty to animals.

 

One reason adolescents comprise the majority of youth with emotional, behavioral, and developmental conditions is that adolescence is a time of individuation where peers become more important than parents or authority figures as sources of support (from your developmental psychology course) and that with formal operational thought comes the ability to argue, be defiant, experiment with activities, and act impulsively with more serious consequences than when acting impulsively as a child. For example, acting impulsively (although adolescents have the capacity for formal operational thought, their cognitive development still lacks maturity for such behaviors that are considered impulsive) regarding a teen who can drive a car has serious consequences if she/he acts impulsively versus a 9-year-old who acts impulsively and hits her brother.

Be sure to review this week’s resources carefully. You are expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.

 

Reference

 

HRSA Maternal and Child Health. (2021, October). National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) and National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs Chartbooks.

 

Assignment: Review Websites and Develop a Table

 

Instructions You are learning about different behavioral disorders during the developmental period of adolescence. The federal government has several websites that offer information for professionals and parents. For this assignment, choose five abnormal child and adolescent behavioral disorders that interest you, and review SAMHSA and NIMH websites to develop a table that briefly summarizes the definition, symptoms, and suggested treatment approach(es) for each of the behavioral disorders you selected. Length: 2 page table, not including references   References: Include a minimum of two scholarly resources as well as the websites and readings for this week. Your table should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course by providing new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your submission should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards where appropriate. Additional Resources Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (https://www.samhsa.gov/) National Institute of Mental Health (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/) Example Table: Lesson 3: Child and Adolescent Behavioral Disorders   Behavioral Disorder Definition Symptoms Suggested Treatment(s) 1           2           3           4           5