A person’s behaviour can be defined as “challenging” if it puts them or those around them – such as their Carer at risk,  or leads to poorer quality of life. It can impact their ability to join in everyday activities. Challenging behaviours include aggression, self-harm, destructiveness and disruptiveness. If communicating is a problem it can be very frustrating for the person, which may result in challenging behaviour. Challenging behaviour is often seen in people with conditions that affect communication and the brain, such as a learning disability or dementia.

What you can do to help

Try to understand why the person is behaving in this way. For example, they might feel anxious or bored, or be in pain. If you recognise the warning signs, you may be able to prevent behavioural outbursts. A distraction can prevent some people from displaying challenging behaviour.

The person you care for might behave in a challenging way to get your attention. If this is the case, consider not responding directly to their behaviour – although you shouldn’t ignore them completely. If their behaviour puts them or someone else at risk, you’ll need to intervene as calmly as possible.

For more information on how to do this, visit our Managing Challenging Behaviours page.

Challenging behaviour – help for Carers

If you care for someone who displays challenging behaviour and you find it difficult to cope, support is available. It is particularly important to seek support if you experience harm (whether intentional or unintentional) from the person you care for. Sharing your experiences – for example, with a local Carer group – can be a good way of getting support. Contact the Connecting Carers support line on 01463 723560 to find out about support and local Carer groups.

Respite care for the person you look after gives you a break from your caring responsibilities. See our leaflet on Carer Centre Services for more information. Friends and family members can also be an important source of practical and emotional support.