Emotional disturbance refers to a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child’s educational performance:
- An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.
- An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.
- Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.
- A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.
- A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.
There are 6 main types of emotional disturbances that can affect children and adolescents:
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders involve excessive fear, worry, nervousness, and apprehension. Some common anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder – Excessive worry about many different things.
- Phobias – Irrational fear of specific objects or situations.
- Social anxiety disorder – Extreme fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations.
- Panic disorder – Recurring panic attacks involving sudden, intense physical symptoms and thoughts of impending disaster.
- Separation anxiety disorder – Excessive fear about being away from home or separated from parents/caregivers.
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) – Recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).
Children with anxiety disorders may seem constantly worried, stressed, or afraid. They may have trouble concentrating, difficulty sleeping, physical complaints, and a tendency to avoid interactions with others.
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders involve persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, or elevated mood. Examples include:
- Major depressive disorder – Prolonged periods of extreme sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in usual activities.
- Dysthymic disorder – Chronic, mild depression that lasts for years.
- Bipolar disorder – Alternating episodes of depression and mania.
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder – Frequent, severe temper outbursts beyond what is typical for the child’s developmental level.
Signs of mood disorders include irritability, social withdrawal, loss of interest in fun activities, frequent crying, appetite changes, sleep disturbances, and thoughts of death or suicide.
ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) involves persistent symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Children with ADHD may:
- Have trouble paying attention and focusing.
- Be excessively active and restless.
- Act impulsively without thinking.
- Have difficulty sitting still during tasks or play.
- Seem not to listen.
- Have difficulty following instructions.
- Struggle to organize tasks.
ADHD leads to trouble with schoolwork, relationships, and behavior at home and school. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children.
Conduct Disorders
Conduct disorders involve a repetitive, persistent pattern of violating the rights of others or major societal norms. Types of conduct disorders include:
- Oppositional defiant disorder – Ongoing pattern of hostile, defiant, and disobedient behavior toward authority figures.
- Intermittent explosive disorder – Recurring, impulsive, aggressive verbal or physical outbursts grossly out of proportion to the situation.
Children with conduct disorders may exhibit aggression, destruction of property, deceitfulness, lying, truancy, vandalism, defiance of authority, and violation of rules. They often have trouble with the legal system.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders involve extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors involving weight and food. They include:
- Anorexia nervosa – Distorted body image and excessive dieting leading to extreme thinness.
- Bulimia nervosa – Binge eating followed by purging behaviors like vomiting.
- Binge eating disorder – Frequent episodes of excessive food consumption without purging.
Signs of eating disorders can include drastic weight loss, obsession with calories/nutrition, distorted body image, restrictive eating, hoarding food, and excessive exercise. The disorders are more common in girls but can also affect boys.
Psychotic Disorders
Psychotic disorders cause detachment from reality, such as through hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking and speech. Examples include:
- Schizophrenia – Distorted perceptions, inappropriate emotions and behaviors, confused thinking, social withdrawal, delusions, hallucinations.
- Schizoaffective disorder – Hallucinations/delusions along with mood disorder symptoms like depression or mania.
Early signs of psychotic disorders may include suspicion/paranoia, odd beliefs, strange speech, and behaving unpredictably. Symptoms usually start in the teen years or early 20s.
Conclusion
The 6 main categories of emotional disturbance in children are anxiety disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, conduct disorders, eating disorders, and psychotic disorders. Each involves distinct symptoms that can impair a child’s functioning at home, school, and in social situations.
Identifying and treating emotional disturbances early is important to help children cope with symptoms, achieve academic success, maintain healthy relationships, and avoid more severe impairment down the line. With appropriate support, therapy, and/or medication, many children with emotional disturbances can thrive despite their challenges.