Attention Deficit & Disruptive Behavior Disorder Treatment in Philadelphia and World Wide:

Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder is a disorder that typically evolves in childhood.  Symptoms: difficulty concentrating, easily distracted and impulsive.  Formal Diagnosis requires evidence that some impairment in at least two settings (work, school or home) are occurring. Specifically, there is evidence of interference in performance with developmentally appropriate social, academically or occupational functioning.  

People who have Attention Deficit Disorder frequently present with poor attention spans. The individual is easily distracted and often makes careless mistakes.  Frequently, the person may look like he/she is constantly daydreaming or simply not paying attention.  Focusing on unpleasant tasks are particularly difficult.  Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity is a common diagnosis that responds well to therapy. With the proper treatment, most individuals can learn to compensate for their deficits and go on to achieve their dreams.  Professionally, jobs that require multitasking are often good fits for people with ADD because it keeps their minds focused in short increments.  

Conduct Disorder is a disorder where the individual repetitively or with a persistent pattern violates the rights of others, or the social norms of society.  The four primary categories of conduct disorder are:  a) aggressive conduct: causes or threatens harm to people or animals b) non aggressive conduct: causes damage to property c) lying and theft d) serious violation of social norms / rules.  During the last year, three of the behaviors must have occurred and within the last 6 months one of the negative above behaviors must be present.  The diagnosis is typically made for children. However, adults who do not meet the criteria for Anti-Social Personality diagnosis may receive the diagnosis of a conduct disorder. 

Children who have a conduct disorder often initiate or respond to others with aggressive behavior.  For example:  bullying, ordering others, intimidating, or threatening.  Children below the age of 13 may experience problems in school, parents report their children disregard curfews, and basic rules around the house.

With age, the aggressive behaviors can escalate to use of knives, bat, bricks, shards of glass, and guns. Their actions are described as cruel to animals or people. The level of violence can range from: intimidation, bullying, stealing, to causing bodily harm, and possible death.  

Oppositional Defiant Disorder is a disorder where the individual is negative, belligerent, contentious, contrary, antagonistic, uncooperative, stubborn, rebellious, aggressive, audacious and / or unmanageable. The behavior has been ongoing for at least 6 months or longer.   Additionally, four or more of the following criteria must be met:

1. Frequent loss of temper
2. Frequent arguments with adults
3. Difficulty following adult rules / requests
4. Takes little responsibility for self. Frequently blames others for personal mistakes
5.  Bristles easily at others, easily annoyed
6.  Easily riled by others, mad
7.  Mean, hateful, revengeful towards others

Helpful Concepts

 Attention deficit is closely related to disruption behavior.  The individual may fidget with their hands, legs, or a material object in their hands. This person does not like quiet time and always want to be on the move such as climbing, walking or running movements. Sometime this individual can be seemed as impatient or extremely anxious. There are times when an individual may have anger issue coexisting with disruptive behavior.  For example, if you were touched accidentally, you would burst out with anger or annoyance.  You will scream at the person and end up forgetting what or where you were going. You will blame for the person for making you lose your concentration.

Another correlation between attention deficit and disruptive behavior is procrastination. A person may seem to take awhile to complete an assignment or have the saying of “I’ll do it later,” this can be a sign that he/she may have difficulty concentrating and refuses to seek help.  The person may identify themselves as just being lazy or not motivated.

When seeking therapy, it is always preferable to choose a therapist who has experience working with this issue that you like to focus on in treatment.  Not every therapist can be an expert in all areas of practice.