Bad behaviour in children could be result of mental health

When a lot of people see naughty children they believe that their behaviour is the result of bad parenting.

However, a new study claims that in many instances, children that act out do so because of mental health problems.

Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in America claim that the key to stopping bad behaviour is to diagnose mental disorders early and intervene with appropriate treatment.

Currently, this has to be done through a series of questionnaires, but it is hoped in the future that cognitive and genetic tests will also be available, allowing patients to receive a diagnosis much earlier.

According to the director of the NIMH Dr Thomas R Insel, it is also essential for people to understand that mental illnesses are a developmental brain disorder, despite the fact that they appear as behavioural problems in many children.

"There needs to be full integration of behaviour and medical concerns to ensure that we are able to care for the whole person and not just one system," he said.

Read about support and personalised care at Barchester care homes for anyone with mental health concerns.