Helping People with Externalizing Problems

Dec 29, 2011
Jeremy Green

Painting Is Not a Crime - Hrag Vartanian

This article describes some ways to help people who have externalizing problems. People with these kinds of problems often just need stability.

People are often burdened with so many problems in their lifetime. They sometimes struggle to keep and level head and can fall victim to crime and, even worse, murder. This is often the worst case scenario for any troubled person, and people in this category often get labeled as having externalizing problems.

Psychology-lexicon.com states that, “externalizing problems refer to problem behaviors that begin during childhood and encompass acting-out behaviors such as aggression and delinquent behavior”. Externalizing problems include conduct disorder and oppositional deviant disorder. As people, we are very fragile and sometimes need a helping hand every once in a while. Below are some steps in order to help someone who has externalizing problems.

Give Them Structure

One of the main reasons people fall victim to conduct disorder is because they lack structure. Structure gives people some stability in their lives and gives them sense of security. Without structure, people tend to feel on edge all of the time because they don’t have stability. This can often lead them down the wrong path because they are looking to be apart of something. They then can make the wrong decisions because they don’t have the right guidance from a mentor.

All of this can be avoided, however, with structure. One of the best ways to give them structure is to get the involved in some type of group. Whether it is in church or at their local charities, these groups can give them a sense of purpose and also a reason to get up in the morning. Parents can also give people with these problems structure. Parents need to be involved in their kid’s lives and make sure they are walking down the right path.

Choose the Right Friends

More often times than not people develop these problems because they are hanging out with the wrong crowd. They want to fit in for acceptance and can do some disturbing things. At an extreme people may even fall victim to joining a gang. This is the worst case scenario for anyone who has conduct disorder. They do not like authority and act out in violence all of the time. Gangs amplify this aggression and lead many to commit murders or get killed themselves. They may be subject to substance abuse because their friends are doing it. Parents should monitor who their kids are hanging out with in order to prevent them from having negative influences on their lives.

People who are living by themselves without the guidance of their parents may feel lost. They may have friends who are negatively affecting their life and they can’t see it. People in this instance should distance themselves from their friends if it is affecting their work, their social life, or their overall physical well being.

Participate in Sports

Conduct disorder and oppositional deviant disorder often stems from people not having a way to express their selves mentally and physically. They then act out in violence and commit crimes that can easily have been avoided with the right programs in place. Sports activities give people the ability to express themselves and work toward a goal. Whether it is for competition or just for fun, sports can affect a person in a positive way.

Some of the ideal sports to play in order to prevent externalizing problems from occurring are football, basketball, martial arts, and many more. Anything that involves a team is ideal because relationships are built through a team. Everyone is striving for the same goal and everyone has to be in sync with each other. These sports will give people something to do and not allow them to fall through the cracks, which unfortunately is what happens with today’s youth.

One of the more favorite sports today is mixed martial arts. It allows people to express themselves mentally and physically. Time and time again you hear success stories of people turning their life around through mixed martial arts. They were associated with the wrong people and were committing acts of violence. This changed dramatically when they found mixed martial arts. It gives people confidence to face any adversity and to go down the right path in life.

All of these ways are great in helping prevent externalizing problems from coming to fruition. Support and structure goes along way in getting people on the right track. People need a reason for living and giving them something to do, whether it be education or groups, can really uplift a person’s overall morale.

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