What are Behavioral Issues in Adults?

Imagine a serene lake on a sunny day: calm, still, and peaceful.  

But beneath the surface, turbulent undercurrents churn unpredictably.  

This is often what behavioral issues in adults look like.  

From the outside, everything may seem “fine,” but internally, individuals can be battling impulse control, mood swings, irritability, withdrawal, or even sudden aggression.  

These changes can be confusing, scary, and isolating, both for individuals and those who care about them. 

Behavioral issues in adults often manifest as: Sudden irritability or anger, persistent defiance or argumentativeness, social withdrawal or isolation, compulsive behaviors or addictions, difficulty following rules or expectations, increased aggression, verbal or physical, and impulsivity and poor decision-making 

These changes can be triggered by trauma, mental illness, neurological disorders, or major life transitions.  

At Axis Integrated Mental Health, we know these challenges. We are here to help individuals and families in Denver, Westminster, and Boulder. We offer support with compassion and proven care.  

What Are Behavioral Issues in Adults? 

Behavioral issues in adults are patterns of conduct that are socially disruptive, emotionally dysregulated, or self-sabotaging.  

They may arise suddenly or develop over time, affecting personal, professional, and social functioning.  

For example: 

• Paranoia or Mistrust: Persistent suspicion of others without justification. 

• Inappropriate Social Behavior: Making offensive or sexually inappropriate remarks. 

• Sudden Obsessiveness with Routines: Becoming rigid or distressed when routines are disrupted. 

• Excessive Risk-Taking: Engaging in reckless driving, gambling, or unsafe sex. 

• Lack of Empathy: Diminished emotional responsiveness to others’ needs or feelings. 

• Neglect of Personal Hygiene or Home Environment: A sharp decline in self-care. 

• Verbally Hostile Responses to Minor Triggers: Overreacting with threats or profanity over small frustrations. 

• Increased Isolation Paired with Rumination: Avoiding social contact while obsessing over perceived wrongs or failures. 

• Disinhibition: Acting without considering consequences (e.g., interrupting conversations, making impulsive purchases). 

• Repeated Job Losses or Conflicts at Work: Struggling with authority, teamwork, or punctuality. 

• Unexplained Physical Complaints: Frequent visits to doctors for vague issues like fatigue or pain. 

• Emotional Blunting or Flat Affect: Reduced ability to express emotions such as love or care. 

• Aggression Toward Inanimate Objects: Breaking objects or punching walls during stress episodes. 

• Verbal or Physical Domestic Conflicts: Increased aggression within relationships. 

• Repetitive Speech or Echolalia: Repeating words or phrases without communicative purpose. 

Common Behavioral Disorders in Adults 

Root Causes & Triggers of Behavioral Issues in Adults 

Understanding the underlying causes of adult behavioral changes is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment.  

These behaviors often stem from a combination of psychological, neurological, environmental, and medical factors: 

1. Neurodegenerative Diseases: Conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and frontotemporal dementia can cause disinhibition, apathy, aggression, or personality changes. 
2. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Head trauma can lead to impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, or aggression, especially if the frontal or temporal lobes are affected. 
3. Substance-Induced Behavioral Changes: Chronic alcohol or drug use (including prescription medications like benzodiazepines or stimulants). 
4. Personality Disorders: Conditions such as borderline, antisocial, or traits of narcissistic personality disorder often manifest in unstable interpersonal relationships, manipulativeness, or anger outbursts.  
5. Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Adults: Undiagnosed or residual ADHD and autism spectrum disorder can lead to impulsivity, rigidity, or socially inappropriate behaviors. 
6. Mood Disorders with Behavioral Manifestations: Bipolar disorder (especially mania), major depressive disorder with agitation, or dysthymia can present disruptive behavioral symptoms like risk-taking, withdrawal, or self-neglect. 
7. Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders: Imbalances in thyroid function (hyper/hypothyroidism), vitamin B12 deficiency, or hypoglycemia. 
8. Chronic Pain or Illness: Persistent physical conditions (Post covid-depression) may lead to frustration-based behavioral issues due to prolonged distress and fatigue. 
9. Medication Side Effects or Withdrawal: Behavioral disturbances can arise from withdrawal (e.g., SSRIs) or adverse effects of psychiatric medications, corticosteroids, or anticholinergics. 
10. Psychosocial Stressors and Adjustment Disorders: Life events like divorce, job loss, bereavement, or caregiving burnout can lead to anxiety-driven irritability, sleep disruption, or emotional volatility. 

Advanced Support Tactics for Behavioral Issues in Adults 

Using standardized advice like “stay calm” may not be enough.  

Use these intentional methods grounded in neuroscience, trauma response, and behavioral therapy. 

1. Regulate Before You Respond 
   Before addressing a behavioral outburst, regulate your own nervous system using deep breathing or grounding techniques. Remember, your emotional state directly influences their reactivity. 
2. Shift the Power Dynamic with Open-Ended Choice Framing 
   Instead of saying “Stop saying/doing that”, offer controlled autonomy: “Would you like to sit by the window or the couch while we talk?” This invites collaboration and reduces threat perception. 
3. Co-Regulate Using Anchoring Statements 
   Use emotionally neutral “anchor” phrases: 
   1. “We’re safe.”  
   2. “We can work through this together.” 
   3. “I will listen to you calmly without any judgments.” 
4. Deconstruct Behavior and Not the Person 
   Try to address the behavior rather than labeling your loved one. Try “That was a loud response,” instead of “You’re being aggressive.” This shift prevents shame-based reactions and keeps the door open for future behavior correction. 
5. Introduce Discreet Distractions (Neurocognitive Reset) 
   Use sensory redirection like textured objects, fidget tools, or rhythmic breathing videos to shift attention. They create a neurological reset to bypass the amygdala's threat state. 
6. Time-Anchor the Exit 
   If disengagement is needed, avoid vague exits. This maintains psychological safety and prevents abandonment fears, especially in borderline or attachment-sensitive individuals. 

Get support for yourself or a loved one 

Axis Integrated Mental Health provides compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your unique needs. Our experts in and around Denver, Boulder, and Westminster are ready to help you, whenever you’re ready.  

Additional Resources 

1. The 10 Harmful Traits of a Narcissist and How They Affect Your Mental Health 
2. Undiagnosed ADHD in Adults & Women: Signs, Risks & Next Steps 
3. The Burnout Survival Kit 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What are the most common behavioral disorders in adults, and how are they diagnosed? 
2. How can I recognize early signs of escalating behavior in a loved one? 
3. What strategies can I use at home to prevent behavioral outbursts? 
4. How do TMS and Spravato work to manage behavioral issues in adults? 
5. Where can I find specialized behavioral health support in Denver, Westminster, or Boulder?