Identifying Potentially Disruptive Persons-Part 2

“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds…” (Proverbs 27:23)

Disruptive behavior is inappropriate behavior that interferes with the functioning and flow of a Christian or non-Christian facility or organization.  It hinders or prevents staff members from carrying out their professional responsibilities.  It is important that staff and lay leaders address disruptive behavior promptly.  If left unaddressed, disruptive behavior typically continues to escalate, resulting in negative consequences for the individual as well as others.  Examples include yelling, using profanity, waving arms or fists, verbally abusing others, and refusing reasonable requests for identification.

Essentially, we need to recognize a person at risk of becoming disruptive.  We do not mean persons coming in as organized disruptive protestors, or as intentional criminals (such as thieves or kidnappers), or as active killers, but those who become disruptive because of situations, personality issues, or incidental disruption arising from a dispute, disagreement, or another personal relational issue.

Three things we need to know to identify a person at risk are why people become disruptive, signs a person is potentially disruptive, and signs a person is becoming disruptive.  People often become disruptive when they cannot handle some personal stress. When a person thinks or feels that he or she is unable to cope with a problem and the emotional anguish, then he/she is in a personal crisis. This is when that person becomes a person at risk.

What causes a personal crisis?  The five most common causes of personal crisis are family problems, financial problems, substance problems, medical problems, and mental illness.

1) Some family problems that are particularly stressful include marital discord, divorce, in-law friction, rebellious teens, sibling rivalry, and disputes over wills and probates.  Other family stresses can also play a role. 

2) Many people are left in despair because of major financial problems, such as loss of employment, bankruptcy, home foreclosure, college debt, and medical bills.  This is especially stressful when they can't feed their family.

3) Substance abuse is a major problem in our society.  About 15 million people have an alcohol use disorder and over 39 million people are regular users of illegal drugs.  Abused substances include alcohol, marijuana, meth, cocaine, opiates, and opioids.  These substances directly affect the thinking and emotions of the person, which makes dealing with them a challenge.

4) Medicine prescribed for real needs can have side effects.  These may affect a person's reasoning ability and temperament.   Many people become depressed when they know they have a debilitating or terminal illness or injury.  The illness itself may be extremely painful or otherwise affect behavior. Depression can lead them to be irritable or irrational. On the other hand, their odd behavior may irritate others who do not understand or are basically unsympathetic.

5) Mental illness is often unrecognized and undiagnosed, but many times it is the underlying cause or a significant contributing factor in disruptive behavior.  Sometimes one person's mental illness creates the personal crisis of another person, who then becomes disruptive.  We must be careful about concluding that a person is mentally ill.  There may be other reasons, such as cultural background, why their manner is not what we consider normal.

Some cases of mental illness may actually be demonic possession, a spiritual issue.  As with mental illness, a diagnosis should not be arrived at hastily.  It is too easy for some to think that an odd person has a demon.

Other possible causes might include an individual's personality type, which can turn certain interactions into heated confrontations, which then become disruptive.  This is especially true for persons who are obsessively opinionated.  The subject at hand may be political, doctrinal, sports fan loyalty, or some other issue where people tend to have differences in feelings and opinions.  It is not unusual for this kind of person to keep pressing another until that person becomes loudly defensive.

There are several signs that an individual is troubled and may be or become a person at risk.  A long list has been compiled by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. 

First, there are general signs to watch for (as they apply to church):

1) A change in behavior patterns.

2) Behaviors disruptive to the classroom, worship, and fellowship environment.

3) Many of these behaviors, rather than just a few.

A few of the behavioral patterns exhibited by a person at risk of becoming disruptive are:

1) Cries, sulks or throws temper tantrums.

2) Pushes the limits of acceptable conduct

3) Disregards others' safety.

4) Disrespects authority.

5) Swears or uses emotional language.

6) Handles criticism poorly.

7) Makes inappropriate statements.

8) Blames others for mistakes.

9) Insists that he or she is always right.

10) Is socially isolated (is a loner).

11) Holds grudges.

Using these warning signs depends on extended observation.  Both when on duty and when just attending, Security Team members see regular attenders each week.  Take note if you see these behavior patterns and be aware of these persons.  As Christians, we should also pray for them. If we take time to interact with them in a positive way, they may be more receptive when we have to step in with verbal de-escalation.

Besides signs indicating a person at risk, there are physical indicators that they are becoming immediately disruptive and we have to step in. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety document goes on with physical signs. Here's an abbreviated list:

1) Flushed or pale face.

2) Sweating.

3) Pacing, restless, or repetitive movements.

4) Clenched jaws or fists.

5) Exaggerated or violent gestures.

6) Loud talking or chanting.

7) Scowling, sneering or use of abusive language.

8) Glaring or avoiding eye contact.

This may be a good time to go over and start a friendly conversation as a first step in cooling the situation.  On the other hand, we might notice a conversation becoming heated with both parties animated and raising their voices, and it appears to be headed for a full-blown argument.  Now we have to keep an eye on the situation, ready to intervene if needed.

Using verbal de-escalation to keep a tense situation from getting out of hand begins with observation. This is being alert for indications that disruption is developing.  We need to know what leads to disruption and know the warning signs.