“Neurobehavioral” refers to the type of behavioral problems that are associated with brain disorders. It is a term frequently used to describe the serious behavioral problems often seen after traumatic brain injury. For example, explosive rage behavior, impulse control problems, mood swings, and poor judgment are neurobehavioral problems
We also use the term “Neuropsychiatric” to refer to the same behaviors. Both of these terms apply to developmental brain problems that are the result of fetal exposure to drugs or alcohol (e.g., fetal alcohol syndrome, crack babies, etc.), or other early brain impairments such as anoxia at birth or shaken child syndrome. When these brain impaired children become adolescents, they sometimes display the same neurobehavioral problems seen in traumatic brain injury cases, including violent temper and very poor impulse control. Unfortunately, traditional psychiatric treatment has been ineffective with these neurobehavioral disorders. The brain problem is a barrier to successful counseling, and typical psychiatric medicines are of limited benefit.