Many individuals suffer from behavioral disorders, especially children. As per a report, one in six children aged 2 to 8 in the US, had a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder. The disorders get severe with age.
Behavioral issues and other mental disorders not only affect the concerned individuals but also affect other individuals who are a part of their lives.
Behavioral disorders may lead the individual to exhibit the following behaviors:
- Inattention
- Impulsive behavior
- Hyperactivity instances
- Drug use
- Criminal activity
Appropriate treatment at the right time can help the individual. One of the easiest treatment methods to treat behavioral issues is therapy. Psychotherapy, in various forms, can help treat the individual. It helps bring positive changes in unhealthy or self-destructive behaviors.
Types of Therapies Used to Treat Behavioral Issues
Using therapy for behavioral issues is beneficial as it helps treat problems with simple counseling sessions. It helps identify the exact cause for the behavior exhibited and enables the therapist to suggest an effective solution to treat the issue.
There are various types of therapy methods used to treat these issues. The therapy method chosen depends upon the type of behavior exhibited and the extent of destructive behavior. For example, the therapist may use aversion therapy to treat behavioral issues caused by substance abuse. The therapist may teach relaxation and breathing techniques as a replacement response to a phobia.
Similarly, the therapist may also opt for individual, group, or family therapy based on the circumstances.
Moreover, the therapist may also recommend medications. Only if they feel that therapy won’t suffice in bringing about a positive change in the individual.
Some of the common types of therapies used in treating behavioral issues include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- System Desensitization
- Aversion Therapy
- Social Learning Therapy
Importance of Therapy to Treat Behavioral Issues
Individuals, especially teenagers, with behavioral disorders must seek treatment for their behavioral disorders. Without therapy and proper treatment, such individuals may face issues that can hamper their daily functioning and well-being. If treatment and therapy are not sought, such individuals may:
- Find themselves in situations against the law
- Have issues in their personal lives, especially close relationships
- Find it difficult to get and maintain a job
- Develop antisocial personality disorder during their adulthood
- Exhibit self-harming or suicidal behavior
Benefits of Therapy for Individuals With Behavioral Issues
With therapy, the individual, affected people, and the therapist work together to bring positive changes in the individual suffering from behavioral issues. The focus of therapy is on the problems faced by the individuals and how they can change them to exhibit good, socially-acceptable behavior.
The benefits of seeking therapy for behavioral issues include:
Provides Support
Therapy provides emotional support to individuals with behavioral issues. Emotional support is essential for people suffering from these disorders as it removes the feeling of isolation. It also helps in quick recovery as individuals know that there is someone who understands them and wants them to improve.
Thus, if you know someone suffering from behavioral or other mental health issues, provide them as much support as you can. Instead of blaming them, try to sympathize with them. Work together to bring positive changes in the behavior of such individuals.
Improves Confidence and Self-Esteem
People with behavioral and mental health issues often have low confidence and self-esteem. This, in some cases, is also the root cause of their mental health disorder. Childhood instances like bullying, parental neglect, or abuse are some of the common reasons for this issue.
Therapy can help individuals to improve their confidence and build self-esteem. This, in turn, can help bring improvements in the mental health condition. Therapy focuses on the problem and works towards providing solutions to the problem. This method helps the individual gain confidence and belief in themselves. It ultimately leads them to conquer the mental health disorder.
Improves Communication Skills
People with behavioral issues and other mental health disorders aren’t able to communicate with others openly. They tend to hide their feelings, thoughts, and beliefs from others. This hampers their relationships with their friends, family, and others.
Therapy helps individuals to improve their communication skills. It helps them learn how to communicate their feelings with others without any shame or anger. This can help in the quick treatment of the disorder. Others can also better understand why the affected individual exhibits such behavior. They can assist the individual in recovering soon.
Prevents Relapse
Most individuals who try to get better on their own often find themselves going into a relapse. They start exhibiting the same behavioral issues after some time. And no matter how many times they try, they often end up going back to where they started.
Therapy provides the tools the individuals need to get better and avoid relapse. The therapist identifies the root cause of the issue and provides the best-possible coping methods. The individuals are better equipped to identify their negative thoughts and behavior patterns they need to avoid to get better.
Helps With Anger Management
Behavioral disorders are often associated with anger management issues. People with behavioral issues often exhibit anger towards themselves and others. This can lead to self-injury or physically harm others.
In most cases, it is the person’s feelings like guilt and shame that turn into uncontrollable anger. Therapy helps address the underlying cause of the anger. It helps the person understand that they don’t need to be ashamed of themselves or feel guilty. It also teaches individuals the methods that can help control their anger.
Similarly, the therapist may also provide methods that can help divert the anger in another form. For example, the therapist may advise weight training, running, or other activities that can help channel their anger and use it in a better way.
Parting Thoughts
Therapy is one of the easiest and most-effective methods to treat behavioral issues. It not only helps the individual but also helps other people involved, such as close friends and family members of the individual. That being said, therapy doesn’t provide instant success. Rather, it is a long process and requires hard work. The road can sometimes get too difficult to walk on. But, the efforts are all worth it in the end!