Adolescents who struggle with defiance and conduct are often treated as delinquents, rather than being treated in a psychiatric setting. The good news is that with the appropriate help, your child can learn to behave in a way that benefits them and the people around them.
Adolescent disorders such as ODD and CD are treated with a combination of medication, therapy, and behavior modification.
Adolescents who are suffering from co-occurring disorders, such as depression and anxiety, ADHD, and substance abuse, may benefit from medication typically used to treat these conditions.
Primary treatment, however, is behavioral. Behavior modification is used to train adolescents to regulate their feelings, especially those of anger and negativity, as well as to curb behavior that will be disruptive or destructive.
In many cases, treatment provided for parents is beneficial to the family as a whole. Parents can receive training to help them use techniques that will be effective in getting the desired responses from their children. Family therapy can help all members of the family learn to relate to each other in healthier ways. Finally, parents and adolescents can learn to engage in collaborative problem solving, which asks all parties to participate in solving behavioral issues.
Adolescent disorders are often shrugged off as simple bad discipline, but they can become extremely disruptive for the youth and those around them. With help from Mindful Care, your adolescent can learn to regulate their emotions and curb problematic behavior.