Disruptive behaviours and relationship difficulties are the commonly encountered problems, which may need special attention but may not always correspond to a definite psychiatric diagnosis.
When there is an identifiable psychiatric condition such as substance use disorder, depression or psychotic disorder, treatment should target these disorders. The possibility of a personality disorder is also to be considered. A thorough diagnostic process is thus essential, for which specialist help is often needed.
Some young people manifest behavioural difficulties as a response to acute stress in the environment. In these situations, in the work or home environment, support and the amelioration of unrealistic expectations or conflicts can facilitate a reduction in the behavioural symptoms. Counselling about better coping strategies can be helpful.
Also, cognitive behavioural techniques can be particularly beneficial in helping the person to gain self control and to adopt alternative desirable behaviours. Brief targeted interventions can be developed that are specifically tailored to the particular individual's behavioural difficulties and needs. These are mostly instructional and motivational, designed to address the specific problem behaviour with feedback from screening, education, skill-building, encouragement and practical advice, rather than intensive psychological analysis or extended treatment techniques.
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