Aggression Treatment Center in New Castle & Wilmington, DE

Learn about aggression

While certain aggressive behaviors can occur as a result of a trigger, such as an argument with a friend or overwhelming frustration with an anger-provoking situation, most individuals know that certain forms of aggression are not socially acceptable and could warrant unfavorable consequences if impulses to be aggressive are not managed and/or controlled. Some people, however, struggle to control such impulses or are unable to fully govern their own behavior due to circumstances that can cause aggressive behaviors, of which can significantly impact their lives.

Many mental health conditions, for example, include aggression as a symptom. When this is the case, it is necessary to seek a treatment center so that aggression, and any other existing mental health concerns present, can be cared for and minimized. Individuals who do not receive care at a mental health treatment clinic and continue to display unconcealed aggression, such as violent behaviors, instigative actions, or verbal hostility, are likely to have increased interaction with law enforcement, poor or unhealthy relationships with others, or have an increased risk for physical injury and overall decline in emotional wellness.

MeadowWood’s treatment center in New Castle near Wilmington is here to help treat those who display aggressive behaviors. Various therapeutic interventions are often utilized to help people understand the causes of aggression and teach methods for coping with urges to be aggressive. It is with this type of care, offered at MeadowWood’s mental health clinic, that a person, regardless of his or her age, can come to understand a life in which aggressive behaviors do not dictate one’s future.

Causes and risk factors for Aggression

The reasons why an individual displays aggressive behaviors can vary depending on a number of factors. Many mental health professionals agree that one’s genetics, physiological composition, environmental influences, and other risk factors can make a person more likely to be aggressive. Consider the following explanations:

Genetic: A great deal of research has been conducted to determine if aggression has any genetic origin. The conclusion of this research has led to the discovery of a gene that is believed to cause aggressive behaviors or verbal opposition in those who have it. It is in lieu of this finding that many experts now agree that aggression can, in fact, be genetic.

Environmental: The environment in which a person spends most of his or her time can trigger aggressive behaviors. For instance, if a youth is exposed to ongoing conflict or violence in his or her home, it is likely that he or she will mirror the behaviors demonstrated by his or her caregiver(s). Additionally, if an individual is victimized by another, in the forms of emotional and/or physical abuse and/or neglect, aggressive acting out behaviors could manifest.

Mental health disorders: There are a number of mental health conditions that include aggression as a symptom. The following mental illnesses are those that can cause a person to be aggressive and could require additional therapeutic interventions in the event an individual seeks treatment:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Psychosis
• Oppositional defiant disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Other forms of dementia
• Substance use disorders
• Conduct disorder

Medications: While the purpose of medication is to alleviate physical or mental health concerns, there are oftentimes side effects that can be disruptive to an individual’s life. Aggression, more specifically, can be a side effect of some medications and cause a person to act out. When this and other unpleasant side effects appear, it is imperative that you consult with a medical doctor or psychiatrist to see if there are alternative medications or additional methods for managing unfavorable side effects, such as aggression.

Effects of aggression

Persistent aggression can cause a great deal of destruction to a person’s life. Failing to seek help at a treatment clinic, like MeadowWood, to alleviate problematic volatile behaviors or verbal hostility could elicit a number of consequences that have the potential to negatively affect an individual for the rest of his or her life. The following effects are those that can result if a person continues to display overtly aggressive behaviors:

• Inability to acquire or maintain employment
• Disciplinary action at school
• Academic failure
• Discord among peers and loved ones
• Inability to adjust to change in a healthy manner
• Overall decline in one’s physical health
• Financial strife
• Development of a problem with drugs and/or alcohol
• Increased need for hospitalization
• Interaction with the legal system
• Incarceration
• Development of a mental health condition or conditions

Types of aggression treatment offered at MeadowWood Behavioral Health Hospital in New Castle, DE

Excessive aggression often suggests the presence of a mental health condition. In many instances, those that display overtly hostile behaviors or verbal aggression are, especially when there does not appear to be a trigger that would warrant such responses, displaying symptoms of a mental illness and lack control over their impulses to be aggressive. Additionally, when a young person or adult acts out in a manner that can pose a risk to his her own well-being or the well-being of others, treatment is often needed to reduce this risk and alleviate the symptoms of any existing mental health disorder that could be contributing to the aggression. Failing to seek such care can cause an individual to have increased interaction with the legal system, experience physical injury due to his or her aggression, or be unable to form healthy, pro-social relationships with others.

The process of seeking treatment at MeadowWood’s treatment center in New Castle, Deleware for yourself, a friend, or loved one who is exhibiting unwarranted and overt aggression begins with an evaluation with a mental health professional. During this initial assessment, the severity of the aggression is assessed and the causes for this type of behavior are explored. It is at this time that treatment options are discussed and questions can be asked by potential patients and answered by professionals so that the most effective and appropriate care is implemented.

One of the most effective treatment options that can be of great assistance to those who are aggressive, is inpatient care. MeadowWood Behavioral Health Hospital in Deleware offers an inpatient treatment option which is set in a safe and secure environment and allows individuals to be away from the stressors of everyday life and focus strictly on healing. Additionally, our mental health professionals, including therapists and social workers, are available 24 hours a day to offer ongoing support as the therapeutic process is navigated. By having this type of support, a patient’s needs can be regularly assessed, mental health concerns can be treated, and beneficial skills for coping and managing emotions and behaviors can be learned and practiced.

At MeadowWood, experienced psychiatrists are on hand in inpatient treatment to conclude a diagnosis of a mental illness and prescribe and monitor medications if it is deemed necessary for alleviating any existing and distressing symptoms. MeadowWood’s behavioral health treatment clinic is a safe place where a person can learn how to effectively manage his or her aggression and receive invaluable care and skills that can benefit for a lifetime.