Community: Behavioural Problems

Question 1

What are problem behaviours?

Answer 1

Poor sleeping 
Poor eating 
Soiling
Over activity and poor concentration 
Unusual repetitive behaviours
Disobedience, argumentative, labile mood 
Worries and fears

Question 2

What individual factors can cause behavioural problems?

Answer 2

Genetics
Gender - boys more likely to have conduct disorder
Intellectual ability - closely linked to emotional state
Development - any interruption may impact behaviour
Temperament
Chronic illness

Question 3

What family influences can contribute in causing behavioural problems?

Answer 3

Early attachment issues e.g PND, separation due to prematurity 
Divorce/ marital discord 
Family structure 
Parental style 
Parental mental illness

Question 4

What environmental factors can contribute to behavioural problems?

Answer 4

Social class
Housing/ neighbourhood
Physical abuse
Neglect 
Sexual abuse
School quality 
Day care facilities - children learn from each other

Question 5

What sleep problems can occur in childhood?

Answer 5

Refusal to go to bed
Frequent night waking
Common parasomnias
Medical problems - uncommon e.g asthma, chronic pain

Question 6

What are parasomnias?

Answer 6

Also known as episodic sleep behaviour 
Child is asleep and can:
Head bang
Sleep walk
Bruxism 
Nightmares
Night terrors - distressing to experience, but child often refreshed in morning unlike everyone else in house

Question 7

How are sleep problems managed?

Answer 7

Sleep hygiene
Positive bedtime routine
Controlled crying 
Keep sleep diary
Education 
Medication - short term only (melatonin can be useful in some situations)

Question 8

What are non epileptic behaviours?

Answer 8

Simple faint
Breath holding spells
Temper tantrums
Hyperventilation 
Infantile colic 
Self stimulatory behaviours