Child psychiatry and early intervention: IV. The externalizing disorders

Abstract

This paper is the last in a series of four using the concept of the aggregate burden of suffering to review the major psychiatric disorders of childhood. This paper reviews the externalizing disorders of childhood to prioritize early intervention programs. The paper discusses the prevalence, course, risk and early indicators, associated impairments, and responses to intervention. The externalizing disorders affect the individual, family and community and are thought to result in the greatest aggregate burden of suffering of all the childhood mental disorders. Early intervention is advocated and will likely need to be intense and long term for this group of children. The need for research into efficient and effective programs is emphasized.