Understanding the Impact of Challenging Behaviour on Mental Health and Well Being
Challenging behaviour refers to actions displayed by individuals that are difficult for people to manage or understand and that could harm the individual or others around them. The causes of this type of behaviour can range from communication difficulties and sensory sensitivities to frustration, anxiety, or unmet needs. It’s also important to note that different types of challenging behaviours exist.
Understanding the causes and different types of challenging behaviours is vital as they impact not only the individual displaying them but also family members, educators, carers, and other professionals involved in their care. Challenging behaviours can make it hard for individuals to focus on education and acquire necessary life skills, potentially delaying overall growth and well-being. It can also impact the person’s engagement in social and leisure activities, leading to isolation and exclusion. The cycle of miscommunication and difficulty in managing these behaviours can create a sense of helplessness and anxiety, potentially intensifying existing mental health concerns or giving rise to new ones. This highlights the need for early intervention and person-centred support designed to meet the specific needs of each individual, considering their unique circumstances and preferences.
With person-centred approaches, such as positive behaviour support (PBS), support workers can provide compassionate, tailored support and help individuals overcome behavioural difficulties. Offering personalised care makes it possible for individuals to learn new methods and prevent the development of challenging behaviours. Proactive planning can help caregivers avoid difficult situations and ensure a smoother journey for everyone involved in the care journey.
Impact on Family Members
Challenging behaviours can have a profound impact on family members. Many families face challenges in accessing professional help and support services, and this lack of support can discourage families from sharing their experiences with others and result in social isolation. To overcome this, connecting with other parents facing similar challenges can help identify opportunities to share coping strategies and provide much-needed emotional and social support.
In some situations, parents may need to renounce their employment to offer round-the-clock care for their children with behaviour that challenges. The constant stress can lead to anxiety, guilt, shame, and loneliness, potentially leading to mental health challenges for family carers. Additionally, insufficient housing can contribute to a stressful home environment, impacting the well-being of all family members. Prioritising self-care, such as eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest, can help mitigate the effects of stress and exhaustion. Seeking support from social services and exploring available benefits can alleviate some financial and emotional challenges associated with caring for a family member with challenging behaviours.
Impact on Caregivers and Support Workers
Challenging behaviour can also impact caregivers, support workers and other professionals responsible for providing care and support. When faced with challenging behaviours, it becomes essential for caregivers and support workers to work closely with individuals, helping them to interact positively with their surroundings and ensuring their safety. This involves treating the individuals respectfully and collaborating with them to understand the underlying reasons for such behaviour.
Effective communication by caregivers and support workers is crucial to managing challenging behaviours. However, many individuals face difficulties expressing their emotions or discussing their challenges, which can lead to frustration and intensify the challenging behaviour. If the early warning signs are addressed on time, caregivers and support workers can implement suitable solutions to prevent or reduce the frequency of behaviour that challenges. A deep understanding of the causes of challenging behaviour and possible triggers are vital tools in effectively addressing challenging situations. By focusing on empathy and problem-solving, caregivers and support workers can collaboratively manage difficult situations and create an environment that promotes the individual’s well-being and fosters a positive and supportive caregiving experience.
Healthcare professionals must prioritise their safety while ensuring the safety of the individuals they support. Healthcare professionals must ensure they look after their mental well-being to avoid burnout.
Impact on Community and Society
The impact of challenging behaviours extends beyond the individual, their families and support workers and affects the broader community and society, too. Unfortunately, behavioural difficulties are often widely misunderstood and carry social stigma. It is crucial to end the stigma associated with challenging behaviours and increase empathy and understanding in the community. A more comprehensive and compassionate approach is needed to support individuals and families. Society must challenge discriminatory systems, inequality and limited access to appropriate support to ensure families receive proactive care.
Collaborating with various stakeholders, including schools and community-led services, can help build models of support that protect the mental health and overall well-being of families and individuals.
Negative Feelings Influenced by Challenging Behaviour
Challenging behaviour can evoke a range of negative emotions in individuals displaying such behaviours and the people caring for them.
Individuals may experience frustration, anger, and confusion when they are unable to effectively communicate their needs and emotions. They may feel isolated, leading to helplessness and further influencing their challenging behaviours. Additionally, individuals might experience guilt or shame for their actions, especially if they are aware of the distress caused to others.
For caregivers and support workers, challenging behaviours can lead to feelings of stress, physical and emotional exhaustion, and, in extreme situations, burnout. Constant exposure to difficult situations can impact their mental and emotional well-being, and support workers may experience frustration and helplessness in trying to understand and address the root causes of the behaviours. They might also face self-doubt and guilt, questioning their capacity as caregivers or support workers.
Coping with negative feelings and emotional reactions influenced by challenging behaviour requires a complex and humanised approach, focused on prioritising mental well-being and self-care.
How to Seek Support
Every individual, including people with challenging behaviour, has the same rights and should be entitled to equal opportunities in life. Listening to the perspectives of individuals with behaviour that challenges while devising their support plan empowers them to make well-informed choices about their care and support services. This practice cultivates positive relationships among individuals, their families, and the professionals involved in their care.
It’s imperative to emphasise that delivering compassionate, person-centred support tailored to the different requirements and situations of each individual is of critical importance. This approach not only fosters constructive connections but also nurtures collaborative relationships among individuals experiencing challenging behaviour, their families, and the professionals involved.
Enabling individuals with complex care needs and learning disabilities that manifest their communication in challenging behaviour to have greater autonomy and control over their lives is a core aspect of positive behaviour support. Positive behaviour support plans are developed based on information from various assessments, focusing on understanding the reasons behind behaviours, finding ways to respond to them effectively, and ensuring consistency in support.
Leaf Complex Care Can Offer Support and Relief from Managing Challenging Behaviour
At Leaf Complex Care, we provide proactive and compassionate care tailored to each individual’s unique needs. We’re dedicated to fostering independence, believing in a person-centred approach that extends to the entire family, enhancing their overall quality of life.
Our support workers undertake specialised training to provide exceptional care for individuals with challenging behaviour. Respect, dignity, and empathy are at the core of their actions. Their ability to provide excellent and person-centred care, even in the most challenging moments, displays their dedication to the people we serve.
Central to our person-centred approach is the creation of tailored support plans, designed to amplify the unique needs of each person we support.
With offices in Bristol, Slough, Somerset, and Birmingham, we are always close to people in need of our compassionate and comprehensive care services.
To learn more about how we help individuals with behaviours that challenge, reach out to us today.
