Children and Behavioural Problems
Anxiety, Aggression, Depression and ADHD – A Biopsychological Model with Guidelines for Diagnostics and Treatment

Delfos discusses a variety of childhood behavioural problems, including anxiety problems, depression and ADHD. Presenting a model of the interplay of environment, disposition and central nervous system development, she shows how differences in brain structure between the sexes may play a part in behavioural problems in children and adolescents.
‘There is a wealth of information and learning displayed in this book. Delfos is particularly good at drawing together research data to support a biopsychological approach to children’s behaviour problems, and for that alone it is worth reading.’
– ChildrenNow
In this wide-reaching and comprehensive book psychologist Martine F. Delfos provides practical guidance on the diagnosis, support and treatment of a variety of childhood behavioural problems, including anxiety problems, aggression, depression and ADHD. Presenting a useful and compelling model of the interplay of environment, disposition and central nervous system development, Delfos shows how differences in brain structure between the sexes may have a part to play in behavioural problems in children and adolescents. Children and Behavioural Problems is an essential resource for teachers, psychologists, social workers and other professionals working with children, as well as for parents seeking to support their children with special needs throughout their development.
A full table of contents can be found at General information.
Full list of contents:
FOREWORD
1 INTRODUCTION
Confusing terminology / A new framework of concepts / The source of the behaviour and the strategy for professional care / A biopsychological model
PART 1 THE MODEL
2 DISORDER VERSUS IMPEDIMENT
Predisposition / Environment / Maturation / Maturation disorders / Interaction between predisposition and environment / Disorder versus impediment / Food for the brain / Visible versus non-visible / Summary
3 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN
Man or woman, xy or xx? / The biological self / The immune system / Perception of illness by women / Biological self > psychological self > neural self / Me-other differentiation and empathy / Moral development / Testosterone and the central nervous system / Testosterone: aggression and action-readiness / The anxiety model / The corpus callosum / Self-reflection / Summary
4 CONDUCT DIFFICULTIES: THE CONDUCT DISORDER
Externalising and internalising / The conduct disorder / The power of testosterone / Me-other differentiation / Egocentricity and empathy / Moral development / The ability to self-reflect / The autonomic nervous system / Lowered consciousness / Hormones during puberty / Depression / Psychopathy / Predisposition and environment / Anti-social behaviour and socially anxious behaviour / Outline of characterics of the externalising and internalising conduct disorder / Summary
5 CONDUCT DIFFICULTIES: THE CONDUCT PROBLEM
Sources of conduct problems / The childrearing situation and its social-cultural context / Puberty / Traumas / Divorce / Summary
6 ATTENTION DEFICIT-HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER, ADHD
Characteristics of ADHD / List of symptoms of ADHD according to the DSM-IV / Hyperactivity / Learning disorders / Conduct problems with the child with ADHD / Externalising conduct disorder and ADHD / Summary
7 TYPICAL BEHAVIOURS
Antisocial behaviour / Socially anxious behaviour / Summary
PART II PROFESSIONAL CARE
8 DIAGNOSTICS
Externalising conduct disorder versus externalising conduct problems / Internalising conduct disorder versus internalising conduct problem / ADHD, Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder versus Hyperactivity / Comorbidity / Anxiety and Depression / Summary
9 TREATMENT OF THE EXTERNALISED BEHAVIOUR DISORDER
Treatment areas / Medication? / Me-other differentiation, empathy and self-reflection / The necessity of structure / Behavioural therapeutic techniques / Psychiatric or educational residential help? / Who does what in professional care? / Summary
10 TREATMENT OF THE INTERNALISED BEHAVIOUR DISORDER
Treatment areas / Medication? / Cognitions to label the anxiety / Behaviour therapy / Depression / Psychiatric or educational residential help? / Who does what in professional care? / Summary
11 TREATMENT OF EXTERNALISING AND INTERNALISING CONDUCT PROBLEMS
Treatment areas / Researching the source of the behaviour / Medication? / Influences of the environment and the possibilities of professional help / Behaviour therapy and behaviour contract / Psychiatric or educational residential help? / Who does what in professional care? / Summary
12 TREATMENT OF ADHD and HYPERACTIVITY
Treatment areas/ Medication? / Behaviour regulation / Childrearing attitude and techniques / Treatment for the various symptoms/ Hyperactivity as a conduct problem / Psychiatric or educational residential help? / Who does what in professional care? / Summary
APPENDIX 1 Psychosomatics Model
APPENDIX 2 Behaviour Contract
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
SUBJECT INDEX
AUTHOR INDEX
ISBN: 9781843101963
E-ISBN: 9781846420092
Author: Martine F. Delfos
Translation by Eef Gravendaal
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London
1st edition 2004
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