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Disruptive Behavior Disorders

 

Children and teens diagnosed with disruptive behavior disorders have trouble controlling their emotions and behavior to the point that it disrupts daily life for people around them. They may be regularly aggressive, destructive or defiant and often have trouble with authority figures, like parents or teachers. Behavior disorders usually start when a child is young and can continue into their teens, and even into adulthood if not treated. Children with a disruptive behavior disorder often also have anxiety, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other mental health conditions.

Types of disruptive behavior disorders:

  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder: Children who act out often enough that it causes serious problems at home, in school or with friends may be diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). It often involves a pattern of aggressive, uncooperative behavior toward authority figures and peers. Without treatment, ODD can progress to Conduct Disorder, described below.
  • Conduct Disorder: Children who show a pattern of aggression toward others and regularly break serious rules and social norms, sometimes including the law, may be diagnosed with Conduct Disorder (CD). CD is more severe than ODD.

Symptoms of disruptive behavior disorders:

  • Aggression
  • Anger or irritability
  • Antisocial behavior
  • Blaming others for mistakes
  • Bullying and physical fighting
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Frequent tantrums
  • Frequent yelling or crying
  • Harming people, animals or property
  • Frequent lying
  • Refusal to follow rules
  • Risk-taking
  • Running away
  • Self-harm
  • Skipping school
  • Trouble paying attention

Learn more about behavioral disorders from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

  • Talk to the doctor. If you think your child is having trouble with emotions or anger, make an appointment with their doctor to talk about their symptoms. They can answer your questions and explain treatment options. Use the Find-A-Provider Tool to find a doctor.
  • Support your child’s needs. Do your best to show your child that you understand their struggles and are there to help. Teach them healthy ways to talk about their feelings.
  • Ask for help at school. Your child’s school may have services available to help them. Ask your child’s Care Manager for a referral to the CMS Health Plan School Liaison Program or visit the School Resources page.
  • Keep calm. Having a calm home can be a big help to a child with a behavior disorder. Try your best to be a good example of how to handle big emotions.
  • Look for support. Tell family and close friends about your child’s condition so they can support you. If you feel overwhelmed, as your child’s Care Manager for help finding support.

 

  • Therapy: A therapist can help your child learn healthy ways to cope with emotions and communicate their feelings. They can offer support and give your child tips to calm themselves and control anger.
    • There are different types of therapy, including group therapy and family therapy. Some services may be available at your child’s school. Call their doctor or Care Manager with questions.
  • Medication: Medication isn’t usually prescribed for behavior disorders themselves. But some children may need them for related conditions, like anxiety or ADHD, for example. Talk to your child’s doctor to learn more.
  • Healthy diet: Make sure your child gets plenty of fruits, vegetables and protein. Limit sugar and caffeine, which can trigger mood changes. It’s important for your child to drink plenty of water as dehydration can also affect mood.
  • Exercise: Being active is a great way to work out restless energy and improve your child’s mood. Start small with something like a walk around the block, then help your child work up to 30 minutes of exercise a couple of times a week.
  • Rest: Getting enough sleep will help lower your child’s stress. Try stretching or taking deep breaths together to wind down before bed. Try this calming 4-4-4 breathing exercise:
    • Breathe in for 4 seconds
    • Hold for 4 seconds
    • Exhale for 4 seconds

 

Your child’s Care Manager can help connect you to services and supports for children with disruptive behavior disorders. Here are some examples of benefits your child may qualify for:

Benefits

  • Family Therapy Services: Up to 26 hours of family therapy sessions per year. Covered as medically necessary.
  • Group Therapy Services: Up to 39 hours of group therapy per year. Covered as medically necessary.
  • Individual Therapy Services: Up to 26 hours of one-on-one therapy per year. Covered as medically necessary.
  • Medication Management Services: Services to help you make the best choices for taking medication. Covered as medically necessary.
  • Family Training and Counseling for Child Development: Services and support to your family during your child’s mental health treatment. Covered as medically necessary and recommended by CMS Health Plan.
  • Health and Wellness Coaches: Access to health and wellness coaches who can teach you and your child to make healthy choices.
  • Pet Therapy*: Therapy that involves activities with trained animals.
  • Art Therapy*: Therapy that involves art activities with a behavioral health clinician with an art therapy certification.
  • Tutoring: Up to 12 tutoring sessions per year. Ask your child’s Care Manager about eligibility.
  • Swimming Lessons: Members can receive group swim lessons from the YMCA. In areas where a YMCA does not exist, members may be able to use a local swimming lesson vendor.
  • Nutrition Counseling: Hands-on education and guidance to caregivers and members about healthy foods.
  • Respite care: Temporary rest from caregiving. Up to 200 hours of in-home care and 10 days of out-of-home care. Ask your child’s Care Manager about eligibility.

Learn more about your child’s CMS Health Plan benefits. *Through EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment).

Need a ride? Your child’s transportation benefits include unlimited rides to medical appointments, as well as up to two trips per month for non-medical appointments.

 

Brave Health: Fully virtual and low-cost therapy and psychiatry for CMS Health Plan members 13 and older. Get an appointment in a week or less for one-on-one or group therapy. Talk about medication and connect with community supports. Text or call 1-305-902-6347, email start@bebravehealth.com or visit Brave Health to get started.

We’re In This Together by Erika’s Lighthouse: Find tools and resources to connect with your child about their mental health. Browse family guides for talking about mental health and getting help when needed. 

Parent Support Workshops by Mending Hearts Family Counseling Center, Inc.: Free, online workshops that teach the principles of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. Learn to use bonding and behavior management skills to connect with your child through difficult emotions, like anxiety and anger. Visit Mending Hearts, email welcome2@mendinghearts.love or call 1-909-787-1968.

Panic Disorder Information and Support Hotline by National Institute of Mental Health: Learn about anxiety, panic disorders and other mental illnesses. Get advice on how to help your child. Visit the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Call 1-866-615-6464 or email nimhinfo@nih.gov for help.

Services by 7 Cups of Tea: Anonymous online chat with trained volunteers that provide free empathetic listening 24/7. Connect with the first available listener or search for one who shares your background or specializes in certain topics. Some listeners work only with teens 13-17. Visit 7 Cups of Tea to get started.

Boys Town National Hotline by Boys Town: Free, one-on-one support from trained counselors through phone, text or email. Available 24/7 to children and teens who are experiencing challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, abuse and more. Spanish-speaking counselors are available, as well as translation services for more than 100 languages. Call 1-800-448-3000, email hotline@boystown.org or visit Boys Town.

Visit the Krames Health Library to access thousands of health sheets on medications, conditions and more. Visit Sunshine Health Connects to find programs and supports in your area that can help with food shelter, education, jobs and more.

 

Contact your child’s Care Manager for more information about any of these resources. You can also call Member Services at 1-866-799-5321 (TTY 1-800-955-8770), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.

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