When we talk about aggressive behavior we are talking about that because of this type of actions, people can cause physical or emotional harm to others. It can range from verbal to physical abuse. It can also involve damaging the property of others. Aggressive behavior violates social boundaries between people and can lead to the breakdown of relationships. It can be subtle or unsubtle violence.
Occasional aggressive outbursts are common and even normal under the right circumstances. However, you will need to speak to your doctor if you experience aggressive behavior frequently or in patterns. When a person has aggressive behavior may feel irritable or restless, impulsive, may find it difficult to control their actions.
The person may not know what behaviors are socially appropriate. In other cases, you may act aggressively on purpose. For example, you can use aggressive behavior to get revenge or provoke someone. You can also direct aggressive behavior toward yourself. Understanding the causes of aggressive behavior is necessary to try to address it.
Why Children Can Be Aggressive
As surprising as it may sound, aggression is a normal part of a child's development. Many children pick up toys from their classmates, hit, kick, or yell in the face from time to time. A younger child is still learning all sorts of new skills, from using scissors to speaking in complex sentences. A child can easily become frustrated with everything he is trying to accomplish and end up lashing out at a playmate.
If your child attends an educational center he is used to being away from home, he may feel some resentment when other children tease him. Other times the child aggression may just be because he is tired or hungry but does not know how to express how he feels and That is why he manifests it by biting, hitting or having a tantrum.
Even an older school-age child can still have trouble controlling his temper. A learning disability could make it difficult for you to listen, concentrate, or read, hampering your performance in school and causing endless frustration. Or maybe a psychological problem (like a recent divorce or illness in the family) it is causing more pain and anger than you can bear.
Whatever the cause of a child's aggression, he is likely to eventually get over it as he becomes more adept at using words rather than hitting to solve his problems. The key is to help you realize, sooner rather than later, that you will get better results by talking about what is bothering you than pulling the hair of his schoolmate or sister.
Possible Causes of Child Aggression
Many things can shape a child's behavior. These may include physical health, mental health, family structure, relationships with others, work or school environment, social or socioeconomic factors, individual traits, and life experiences.
When it occurs in adults, it can act aggressively in response to negative experiences. For example, you can become aggressive when you feel frustrated. Your aggressive behavior too It can be linked to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, 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
- Disorder of conduct
- Intermittent explosive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Brain damage can also limit your ability to control aggression. You may experience brain damage as a result of brain injury, infections, or some diseases.
Different health conditions contribute to aggression in different ways. For example, if you have autism or bipolar disorder, you can act aggressively when you feel frustrated or cannot talk 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 may include:
- Poor relationship skills
- Underlying health conditions
- Stress or frustration
Your child may mimic aggressive or violent behavior that he sees in his daily life. They may receive care from family members, teachers, or peers. You can accidentally encourage him by ignoring or rewarding his aggressive behavior. Sometimes children lash out out of fear or uncertainty. This is more common if your child has schizophrenia, paranoia, or other forms of psychosis. If they have bipolar disorder, they may act aggressively during the manic phase of their condition. If they have depression, they can act aggressively when they feel irritated.
A child can also act aggressively when he has trouble managing his emotions. They may find it especially difficult to deal with frustration. This is common in children who have autism spectrum disorder or cognitive disorders. If they get frustrated, they may not be able to fix or describe the situation that is causing their frustration. This can lead them to show childish aggression.
Children with ADHD or other disruptive disorders may show inattention or understanding. They can also appear impulsive. In some cases, these behaviors can be considered aggressive. This is especially true in situations where their behaviors are socially unacceptable.
Causes in adolescents
Aggressive behavior in teens is quite common. For example, many teenagers act rude or sometimes fight with each other. However, a teenager could have a problem with aggressive behavior if he regularly:
- Yells in conversations or discussions
- Fights with others
- Intimidates others
- In some cases, they can act aggressively in response to:
- Stress
- Peer pressure
- Substance abuse
- Unhealthy relationships with family members or other people
Puberty can also be a stressful time for many teens. If they don't understand or know how to cope with the changes during puberty, your teen may act aggressively. If they have a mental health condition, it can also contribute to aggressive behavior.