Throughout our work with clients, we may see sudden changes in their behaviors. If the individual we are working with struggles to communicate, it can be difficult to determine what is causing the behavior changes. There may be an effort to quickly label the behavior and it may be blamed on multiple factors. It is important that we look into what may be causing the behavior change so that an urgent issue is not going unaddressed. According to Dr. Julie Gentile, doctor and professor at Wright State University, the most common causes of behavioral changes are:
- Pain (emotional and physical)
- Medication side effects
- Sleep disorders
- Psychiatric illnesses, including the after-effects of trauma
The first thing to do when new behavioral issues arise is to rule out medical issues and any organic reason before looking at any psychiatric possibilities. Some commonly missed medical conditions that can cause behavioral changes are: constipation, allergies, dysphagia, seizure disorders, pain, pulmonary conditions, automimmune disorders, reflux (GERD) and other GI issues, sleep apnea, and vitamin deficiencies.
Sometimes clients may begin exhibiting behaviors which are quite unexpected. Aggression can be a means of expressing frustration. Other possibilities to rule out are physical pain or an acute medical condition. Aggression can also signal an acute psychiatric problem. Regression is also seen in situations of stress, pain, change in routine, or novelty.
Any sudden change of behavior should be investigated to determine the reason. People with communication difficulties need committed advocates who are determined to find out the cause of their behavior changes. We can support these clients by noticing red flags, following up with next steps, and urging that they receive appropriate and timely medical and mental health care.