Externalizing Disorders

Abstract

When the child’s behaviors become problematic and affect family, social, and educational functions, they often are referred to as Disruptive Behavior Disorders (DBD) or Externalizing Disorders. In many respects, disruptive or externalizing disorders reflect the prototypal scenario of how the combination of: (a) problematic infant/child characteristics and behaviors, with (b) maladaptive parenting responses and contributions, results in significant problems. Disruptive, externalizing disorders are the single, most common cause of referral for mental health services. Moreover, these behaviors are among the most stable and therefore portend the possibility of heightened risk for later problems. For example, if a child demonstrates disruptive, aggressive behavior at age 7, there is a 50% risk that these behaviors will be present during adolescence. Stated differently, it is rare to find an antisocial adult who did not exhibit behavioral problems as a child. But, conversely, not all children with behavior probles will carry these into adulthood. Nonetheless, the need for early intervention is critical to prevent progressive decline in behavior.