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Aggressive Behavior

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21 views

Aggressive Behavior

Uploaded by

sarmadsaeed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Aggressive Behavior

What Is Aggressive Behavior?

Aggressive behavior can cause physical or emotional harm to others. It may


range from verbal abuse to physical abuse. It can also involve harming
personal property.

Aggressive behavior violates social boundaries. It can lead to breakdowns in


your relationships. It can be obvious or secretive. Occasional aggressive
outbursts are common and even normal in the right circumstances. However,
you should speak to your doctor if you experience aggressive behavior
frequently or in patterns.

When you engage in aggressive behavior, you may feel irritable and restless.
You may feel impulsive. You may find it hard to control your behavior. You
might not know which behaviors are socially appropriate. In other cases, you
might act aggressively on purpose. For example, you may use aggressive
behavior to get revenge or provoke someone. You may also direct aggressive
behavior towards yourself.

It’s important to understand the causes of your aggressive behavior. This can
help you address it.

What Causes Aggressive Behavior?

Many things can shape your behavior. These can include your:

physical health

mental health
family structure

relationships with others

work or school environment

societal or socioeconomic factors

individual traits

life experiences

As an adult, you might act aggressively in response to negative experiences.


For example, you might get aggressive when you feel frustrated. Your
aggressive behavior may also be linked to depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other
mental health conditions.

Health Causes of Aggressive Behavior

Many mental health conditions can contribute to aggressive behavior. For


example, these conditions include:

autism spectrum disorder

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

bipolar disorder

schizophrenia

conduct disorder

intermittent explosive disorder

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Brain damage can also limit your ability to control aggression. You may
experience brain damage as the result of:
stroke

head injury

certain infections

certain illnesses

Different health conditions contribute to aggression in different ways. For


example, if you have autism or bipolar disorder, you might act aggressively
when you feel frustrated or unable to speak about your feelings. If you have
conduct disorder, you will act aggressively on purpose.

Causes in Children

Aggression in children can be caused by several factors. These can include:

poor relationship skills

underlying health conditions

stress or frustration

Your child might imitate aggressive or violent behavior that they see in their
daily life. They may receive attention for it from family members, teachers,
or peers. You can accidentally encourage it by ignoring or rewarding their
aggressive behavior.

Sometimes, children lash out due to fear or suspicion. This is more common if
your child has schizophrenia, paranoia, or other forms of psychoses. If they
have bipolar disorder, they might act aggressively during the manic phase of
their condition. If they have depression, they might act aggressively when
they feel irritated.
Your child might also act aggressively when they have trouble coping with
their emotions. They might find it especially hard to deal with frustration.
This is common in children who have autism spectrum disorder or cognitive
impairments. If they become frustrated, they may be unable to fix or
describe the situation causing their frustration. This can lead them to act out.

Children with ADHD or other disruptive disorders may show a lack of


attention or understanding. They may also appear impulsive. In some cases,
these behaviors may be considered aggressive. This is especially true in
situations when their behaviors are socially unacceptable.

Causes in Teens

Aggressive behavior in teenagers is common. For example, many teens act


rudely or get into arguments sometimes. However, your teen might have a
problem with aggressive behavior if they regularly:

yell during arguments

get into fights

bully others

In some cases, they may act aggressively in response to:

stress

peer pressure

substance abuse

unhealthy relationships with family members or others

Puberty can also be a stressful time for many teens. If they don’t understand
or know how to cope with changes during puberty, your teen may act
aggressively. If they have a mental health condition, it can also contribute to
aggressive behavior.

How Is Aggressive Behavior Treated?

To work through aggressive behavior, you need to identify its underlying


causes.

It may help to talk to someone about experiences that make you feel
aggressive. In some cases, you can learn how to avoid frustrating situations
by making changes to your lifestyle or career. You can also develop strategies
for coping with frustrating situations. For example, you can learn how to
communicate more openly and honestly, without becoming aggressive.

Your doctor may recommend psychotherapy to help treat aggressive


behavior. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you learn
how to control your behavior. It can help you develop coping mechanisms. It
can also help you understand the consequences of your actions. Talk therapy
is another option. It can help you understand the causes of your aggression.
It can also help you work through negative feelings.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat your


aggressive behavior. For example, they may prescribe antiepileptic drugs
(AEDs), such as phenytoin and carbamazepine. If you have schizophrenia,
Alzheimer’s, or bipolar disorder, they may prescribe mood stabilizers. They
may also encourage you to take omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
Your treatment plan will vary, depending on the underlying causes of your
aggressive behavior. Speak with your doctor to learn more about your
condition and treatment options.

What Is the Outlook for Aggressive Behavior?

If you don’t deal with your aggression, it can lead to more aggressive and
violent behavior. However, there are treatment options available for
aggressive behavior. Following your doctor’s recommended treatment plan
may help you gain control, before you cause harm to yourself or others.

Aggressive behavior rarely happens without a reason. Identifying the root


causes of aggressive behavior can help you avoid situations that trigger it.
Speak with your doctor to learn how to identify and treat the underlying
causes of your aggressive behavior.

Q:

What’s the best way to determine when a loved one’s aggressive behavior is
abusive, rather than a normal emotional reaction?

A:

Unfortunately, there is not an easy answer to this one. In the cycle of abuse,
the abuser often states “I didn’t mean it” or asks for forgiveness, apologizes,
etc. Generally, abusive behaviors occur with little to no provocation.
However, if aggressiveness is seen within the confines of what one would
expect in a situation where aggression may be normal, that can be an
excellent indicator. For instance, if somebody is being physically threatened
by someone else, it makes sense that the individual would respond
aggressively. Also, the frequency of the aggressive behavior needs to be
considered. If aggression is consistently and frequently being displayed
toward an intimate partner with minimal to no provocation, then it is most
likely abuse, as opposed to a normal emotional reaction.

Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PMHNP-BC

https://www.healthline.com/health/aggressive-behavior#outlook

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