Behavioral disorders in teenagers can affect every aspect of their health and their family. When your daughter is struggling with mental health, you want the best for her. Knowing the different therapies available for your daughter will allow you to get your daughter the best care she can get. Clearview aims to create an environment for treatment for every student who stays with us. The work of managing behavioral disorders can be difficult, but learning what you can do for your daughter will give you a game plan of what is best for her.

One form of therapy that makes a difference in behavioral health disorders is called play therapy. Play therapy is engaging the act of dramatic play to make a difference in mental health treatment. Play therapy is facilitated by a therapist and aims to engage all parts of the individual’s brain and creativity to help in therapy. Learning about play therapy can give you options as the parents to know what types of care there are. 

What Is a Behavioral Disorder?

Behavioral disorders encompass any disorder in which behavioral changes take place. Sometimes, they are called conduct disorders, and they are often diagnosed in childhood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “A behavior disorder may be diagnosed when these disruptive behaviors are uncommon for the child’s age at the time, persist over time, or are severe.” Behavioral disorders can include:

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Conduct disorder
  • Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
  • Anxiety disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder
  • Other disruptive behavioral disorders
  • Emotional disorders

Behavioral disorders are diagnosed when a significant change or struggle is made in the child’s life. If your daughter is struggling in her day-to-day, it is important to take steps toward intervention. Behavioral disorders can cause many different struggles and symptoms and affect not just your daughter but your family as well. 

Struggles Managing Behavioral Disorders

Without treatment or intervention, behavioral disorders may affect the family unit and the parental relationship. When your daughter struggles with a behavioral disorder, it can feel overwhelming. At times, it may feel like she is not respecting you. This may make it hard to know how to help her. These disorders can also affect her social interactions and her schooling. Clearview believes that a behavioral disorder can be hard to handle alone without intervention from a care team or therapy. 

Receiving therapy for behavioral disorders is important for the long-term success and recovery of your daughter. Knowing the different types of treatment and care available will allow you to make the best decision for your daughter as her parents. Many types of therapy may make a difference, but play therapy and dramatic play can help from childhood and on in treatment. 

What Is Play Therapy?

An article published by the journal Materia Socio-Medica states that play therapy “is defined as the systematic use of a theoretical model that establishes an interpersonal process, in which trained therapists use the therapeutic power of play to help children prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth.” Play therapy takes place under the watch of a provider. Due to its playful nature, many children may not feel like it is therapy at all. While the therapist observes the patient, they will work through issues. They can use the act of playing to make observations of emotional states and encourage change or progress. 

Playing can include things such as using toys, drawing, and creating. Play therapy is a type of dramatic therapy. The body and actions are used to look into the mind and emotional state. These therapies can be effective, especially in younger children and those with behavioral disorders, due to the mindful nature of playing and observation. Play therapy is an option for those who may have tried more traditional routes and struggled before. 

How Play Therapy Can Help With Managing Behavioral Disorders

Play therapy may be effective in managing behavioral disorders due to its focus on physical action and mindfulness. Using your body and mind to play will allow a distraction while there is observation done by the provider into the emotional state of the child. Behavioral disorders can affect your daughter even into adolescence. Finding a form of treatment that makes a difference in her life is integral to maintaining long-term treatment and recovery. 

Play therapy may also allow an avenue to connect with your daughter if you find a care team that encourages you to participate in her care. Both play therapy and dramatic therapy encourage passive recovery while working other skills alongside it. This is especially effective for many behavioral disorders due to the active nature of the therapy and treatment. 

If your daughter is struggling with a behavioral disorder, it is important to find a therapy that is effective for her and makes a difference in her recovery. The act of play therapy encourages the individual to work alongside the provider or parent in passive care, using their body and other things like toys or drawings to make observations about their mental health. This allows your daughter to engage with therapy and treatment in a way that is accessible to her. Behavioral disorders can feel difficult to handle as a family, but treatment is possible. If you are interested in learning more about behavioral disorders and how to help them, contact Clearview Horizon today at 866-584-4788.