The violent events that have occurred recently that have caused their victims to be seriously injured and even fall into a coma and die need serious attention. It seems that people today are very easy to become very emotional and forget the rational mind so that they commit violent behaviour that has bad consequences for other people's lives, their lives, and their family lives.

Violent events committed to someone certainly provide unpleasant emotional experiences for everyone who is a victim or who hears and witnesses. All human beings who are humanists certainly agree that violent behaviour is not justified for any reason.

A violent/aggressive behaviour is a complex process that occurs in the brain. What happens in the brain is a neurobiological process that causes a violent behaviour to occur? There are two important parts of the brain that play a role, namely:

1. Top Down (Brake/brake)

The part of the brain in the area of the pre frontal cortex, the frontal part of the brain that functions as a decision maker, self-control, rational, logical and consideration.

2. Bottom Up (Drive/gas)

The middle brain part is the amygdala, which is known as the centre of emotions/feelings.

In this area of the brain there are structures, neural circuits, neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) and their physiological processes.

Maturity failure and damage to the nerve circuits in the brain can cause failure in the two areas of the brain. The brain part of the pre frontal cortex fails to perform its function of controlling behaviour and self-control. The brain part of the amygdala becomes hyper responsive so that there is a slight trigger that immediately triggers emotions. This is all that then leads to a violent/aggressive behaviour. Coupled with the traumatic memory stored in the hippocampus area, the presence of a 'trigger' that reminds of unpleasant events can trigger anger and aggressiveness.

Factors That Cause Violent Behaviour:

- Genetic factors in families with a history of violent behaviour

- There is a brain tumour, head trauma

- Metabolic disorders, physical diseases

- The use of alcohol, drugs such as meth, ecstasy, tramadol, trihexyphenidil, dextrometorphan, marijuana, sinthe, etc.

- History of being a victim of violent treatment, both verbal, physical, sexual in the past

- Witnessing violent behaviour in everyday life, at home or the neighbourhood

- Become a victim of bullying

- Media exposure about violence, movies, games, watching youtube, TV, social media, etc.

- Psychosocial stressors in everyday life (financial problems, quarrels, divorces, education, layoffs, housing situations, etc.)

Diagnosis of Mental Disorders with Symptoms of Violent Behaviour

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), some psychiatric disorders characterised by aggressiveness/violent behaviour include:

1. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Patterns of angry / irritable mood, argumentative / challenging behaviour and / or envy that lasts six months or more.

2. Conduct Disorder (CD)

Persistent/sedentary behaviour patterns that violate other people's rights and rules, such as bullying, theft, skipping school, running away from home.

3. Disruptive Mood Disfunction Disorder (DMDD)

Characterised by frequent outbursts of anger and irritable moods or depression most of the time.

4. Psychosis

Disruption of reality judgement, unable to distinguish what is real and imaginary, characterised by hallucinations (hearing whispers, seeing shadows), delusions/understanding (ideas, wrong thoughts do not match reality, for example will get strength, greatness when doing certain things)

5. Bipolar

Mood disorders, which are characterised by extreme mood changes from excessive pleasure (manic episodes) to excessive sadness (depressive episodes)

6. Major Depression

Mood disorders characterised by sad mood, irritability, lack of enthusiasm, reduced energy, impaired sleep and eating patterns, focus, decreased concentration and thoughts about death.

7. Antisocial Personality Disorder

A personality disorder with symptoms such as often ignoring and violating the rights of others, having no empathy or compassion for others, not being introspective, and manipulative.

8. Narcissistic Personality Disorder

A marked personality disorder always wants to be number one, the greatest, the most important, wants to be worshipped and if someone takes that position then he can commit acts of violence

Signs and Symptoms of Violent Behaviour/ Aggressiveness since Children/Teens

? Temper tantrum

? Fight / brawl

? Verbal threats to hurt, kill

? Physical aggression on people such as hitting, grabbing, kicking, etc.

? Physical aggression on objects such as damaging items, slamming, kicking items, etc.

? Using a weapon

? Torturing an animal

? Playing fire, burning

? Vandalism

? Always want to win by yourself

The existence of the above behaviour is an alarm for all of us that there is a 'system' that is not going well in this child and needs to be intervened immediately so as not to cause dangerous things in the future

Prevention of Violent Behaviour

¤ Avoid children from violent treatment

¤ Avoid children watching violent behaviour at home or elsewhere

¤ Early identification and handling of children who commit violent behaviour

¤ Monitoring media exposure to violence on TV, internet, social media, games, videos, movies

¤ Increase physical activities / activities in positive children, such as sports, music, organisation, spirituality, etc.

¤ Communication and closeness of parents and children is very important so that parents can immediately know and provide treatment if children experience psychological changes.

¤ Train children life skills (life skils), coping mechanisms, stress management in everyday life

Handling and Therapy of Violent Behaviour/ Aggressiveness

? Do treatment at the hospital if there is dangerous behaviour

? Complete psychological and psychiatric examination

? Psychopharmaceuticals, drugs to control violent behaviour of children/teenagers, injectable and oral drugs can be given, namely the following groups: mood stabilisers, anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety

? Psychotherapy, changing thoughts and behaviours, CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy), emotional regulation exercises, exercises to express frustration, Parent management techniques (PMT), etc.

? Psychosocial rehabilitation, social skills training, cognitive remediation, Occupational-Vocational skill training, etc.

? Stimulation-Modulation Therapy: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Neurofeedback

Fostering Is Very Important

Parents play an important role in the emergence of violent behaviour by children by providing good parenting:

- Make sure the child is not exposed to various violent events/watching that can disturb his brain so that unexpected behaviour appears.

- Give affection and have a good emotional bond with the child.

- Improve communication with children so that parents can become a place where children share when they get difficulties, confusion and frustration in their lives.

Schools, the environment and the surrounding community have the same task. Let's eliminate violent behaviour around us. Spread the love!

Author: dr. Lahargo Kembaren, Sp.KJ

Reference:

·         Anderson, C.A., Bushman, B.J., 2002. Human aggression. Annual Review ofPsychology 53, 27–51

·         Berkowitz, L., 1989. Frustration-aggression hypothesis: examination and reformulation.Psychological Bulletin 106, 59–73.