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  1. UAMS Health
  2. ARConnectNow
  3. Learn More About Mental Health
  4. Common Mental Health Concerns
  5. Disruptive Behavior
  6. Treating and Coping with Behavior Disorders

Treating and Coping with Behavior Disorders

How do I know if I have a behavior disorder?

Only a doctor or therapist can tell you that you have (diagnose you with) a behavior disorder. You can take a free screener to see if you might have a behavior disorder

  • Find a Therapist
  • Take the Screener

How can I get better with a behavior disorder?

While behavior problems can be hard and stressful, you can get better. Your doctor or therapist can help you with a treatment plan. In your plan, you might see a therapist, take medicine, and make changes to your daily life. Some medicines can help with behavior disorders. Talk with your doctor or psychiatrist to see if medicine is right for you

How can therapy help with a behavior disorder?

Therapy is when you talk with a therapist trained in mental health. One type of therapy that helps behavior disorders is called behavior modification. Some therapies that use behavior modification are:

Mom with a child at therapy

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

This is an evidence-based behavioral therapy designed to improve the relationship between parents and young children (ages 2-7) while addressing disruptive behaviors.

mom embracing teen daughter

Positive Parenting Program (Triple P)

This is an evidence-based parenting program designed to help parents build good relationships with their children while promoting positive behaviors and managing challenging ones.

teen in a mental health office

Defiant Children or Defiant Teens

This is a structured, evidence-based treatment designed to help parents manage and improve defiant, oppositional, and disruptive behaviors in children and adolescents

How Can I Make Changes to Feel Better?

You can also get better when you make changes to your daily life, such as:

Two teen boys going for a walk

Be more active

This could include going for a walk with a friend, dancing to your favorite music, or joining a club.

a little boy eating vegetables

Eat in a Healthy Way

Eat around the same time, eat a good variety of energy-giving foods, and eat enough to feel full but not overfull.

A teen girl sleeping

Keep a Sleep Routine

Turn off screens before bed, do an activity that makes you feel calm, go to sleep, and wake up around the same time.

Learn how to build skills to improve mental wellness

Build Skills
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Phone: (501) 686-7000
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