Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents, Vol. 18

In the past, disruptive behavior disorders were often attributed to a lack of willpower or general "badness" in children and adolescents. Research now points to unique neurodevelopmental underpinnings for these disorders. Neuroimaging, genetic studies, and other neurobiological advances have furthered our understanding of these common and frequently debilitating disorders and have led to new treatment and prevention efforts.

Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents comprehensively reviews current research and clinical observations on this timely topic. The authors look at attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder, all of which are common among youths and often share similar symptoms of impulse control problems.

The book begins with a review of cutting-edge research on the diagnostic, epidemiological, and biological aspects of ADHD and state-of-the-art pharmacological treatments for this common disorder. Recent research on the important role that biological and environmental factors play in conduct disorders is then presented. The important factors in diagnosing oppositional defiant disorder are reviewed as well as practical guidelines and treatment options for clinicians working with patients with this disorder.

This book points out the similar biopsychosocial and developmental underpinnings and describes the comorbidity of substance abuse and aggressive behavior with disruptive behavior disorders. It examines research connecting ADHD and bipolar disorder and discusses the possible reasons for the association of violence and mental illness in youth. This book enhances our understanding of the etiology of these disorders and effective treatment approaches for them, including psychopharmacological interventions.

Helpful in exploring the effect of comorbidity, resilience, and environmental protective factors, this comprehensive guide will be valuable to clinicians and families in designing effective prevention and treatment programs.

American Psychiatric Publishing

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

In the past, disruptive behavior disorders were often attributed to a lack of willpower or general “badness” in children and adolescents. Research now points to unique neurodevelopmental underpinnings for these disorders. Neuroimaging, genetic studies, and other neurobiological advances have furthered our understanding of these common and frequently debilitating disorders and have led to new treatment and prevention efforts.

Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Children and Adolescents comprehensively reviews current research and clinical observations on this timely topic. The authors look at three subtypes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder, all of which are common among youths and often share similar symptoms of impulse control problems. Specifically, it covers:

• Cutting-edge research on the diagnostic, epidemiological, and biological aspects of ADHD and state-of-the-art pharmacological treatments
• The important role that biological and environmental factors play in the etiology of conduct disorders
• The importance of age and development in diagnosing oppositional defiant disorder as well as practical guidelines and treatment options for clinicians working with patients with this disorder
• The similar biopsychosocial and developmental underpinnings of disruptive behavior disorders and the comorbidity of substance abuse or aggressive behavior with disruptive behavior disorders
• Research connecting ADHD and bipolar disorder and discusses the possible reasons for the association of violence and mental illness in youth
• The etiology of disruptive behavior disorders and effective treatment approaches, including psychopharmacological interventions

Helpful in exploring the effect of comorbidity, resilience, and environmental factors, this comprehensive guide proves valuable to clinicians and families in designing effective prevention and treatment programs.

Ozlem Uyar

This is a textbook about impulse control problems in children including conduct disorder, oppositional defiant and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, substance abuse, violence, and mental illness. The purpose is to enlighten the audience about the disruptive disorders of childhood, describe the clinical picture of these disorders, and provide the information about their treatment methods. Audiences are mainly psychiatrists, psychiatric residents, child psychiatrists and child psychiatry residents, social workers, and psychologists -- basically any clinician who deals with children on a clinical basis. The book can also be helpful to pediatricians, family medicine and primary care physicians, and teachers. The text covers basic information about disruptive disorders. Epidemiology and clinical presentations of the disorders are summarized in a nice way for each disorder. Diagnostic criteria from DSM IV is included in each chapter. Comorbidities and treatment methods are described with easy to read language. References are numerous and up-to-date. Each chapter includes tables and graphics that are helpful to understand the subject. This is an excellent book about disruptive disorders in children. The information on impulsive disorders -- including recent research on treatment methods -- is well presented. It will be very helpful for those who deal with children. I highly recommend it.

Robert L. Hendren, D.O., is Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics and Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey.