James Donaldson on Mental Health - Common Causes of Behavior Problems in Kids

Anxiety We tend to think of anxious kids as shy, clingy, or timid, but anxiety can also cause kids to act out.

When anxious children are put into situations that trigger their anxiety, they may lash out or have a tantrum in an effort to escape that situation.

It’s not uncommon for it to happen at school, where demands and expectations may put pressure on them that they can’t handle.

For instance, if a child who has social anxiety feels criticized, they might throw books and papers on the floor or punch the person making them uncomfortable.

And that behavior can be very confusing to teachers and other staff, since it seems to come out of nowhere.

(For more information see How Anxiety Leads to Disruptive Behavior.) ADHD ADHD is usually diagnosed when kids are having trouble paying attention.

But for many children with the disorder — and their parents — behavior is a big problem, too.

And they may lash out, throw a tantrum, or be defiant when they are asked to do things they don’t want to do.

This behavior is often a result of ADHD symptoms.

They may not do what they’re told because they are distracted or because it’s unusually hard for them to tolerate tasks that are difficult or boring.