Emotional disturbance is a term used to describe emotional problems that significantly impact a child’s abilities and behaviors. There are five main characteristics that professionals look for when diagnosing emotional disturbance in children.
Inability to Learn
One of the key signs of emotional disturbance is an inability to learn at the expected level in school. A child with emotional disturbance may struggle to acquire basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics despite receiving standard instruction. They often fail to meet academic requirements for their age and grade level.
There are many reasons why a child with emotional issues may have trouble learning. They may have trouble focusing, following directions, processing information, and retaining knowledge. Their problematic behaviors may get in the way of learning. Anxiety, depression, anger issues, and low self-esteem can also impair academic performance.
Children with emotional disturbance often get labeled as “slow learners” or “underachievers” in school. But their problems with learning aren’t due to low intelligence. They stem from the emotional issues that the child is dealing with.
Inability to Build or Maintain Relationships
Another sign of emotional disturbance is difficulty building and keeping relationships with peers and teachers. These children often fail to pick up on social cues and struggle to engage in positive interactions.
Many factors can contribute to relationship problems for a child with emotional issues:
- Poor communication skills
- Immaturity
- Difficulty relating to others
- Trouble regulating emotions
- Extreme shyness, anxiety, or avoidance of social situations
- Aggressive behavior that scares away peers
- Frequent conflicts and arguments with others
The inability to form meaningful connections takes a major toll on the child. Positive relationships provide comfort, validation, and emotional support—things the child needs but has trouble finding.
Inappropriate Behavior or Feelings
Children with emotional disturbance often display behaviors that are inappropriate for their age, cultural norms, or the situation. They may also express feelings that seem out of proportion to the circumstances.
Some examples of inappropriate behaviors include:
- Extreme aggression like hitting, kicking, biting others
- Destructive acts such as vandalizing or destroying property
- Temper tantrums, screaming, or cursing outbursts
- Noncompliance and refusal to follow rules or directions
- Excessive silliness, giddiness, or hyperactivity
In terms of inappropriate feelings, the child may:
- Overreact to minor frustrations
- Display extreme mood swings
- Seem emotionally “flat” and disconnected
- Appear severely anxious, worried, or fearful beyond what seems reasonable
- Feel very down, hopeless, or worthless for long periods
The child’s behaviors and feelings seem out of step with the situation. This causes problems at school, home, and in social settings.
Unhappiness or Depression
Many children with emotional disturbance feel deeply unhappy, sad, hopeless, or depressed. The negative feelings persist for long periods and significantly affect their ability to function.
Signs of unhappiness or depression in a child can include:
- Frequent crying spells
- Irritability or moodiness
- Withdrawing from others
- Loss of interest in fun activities
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Expressions of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Recurrent thoughts or talk of death or suicide
Without treatment, a child’s ongoing misery can lead to more severe emotional issues and other problems like failing grades, school avoidance, substance abuse, self-harm, and suicide attempts.
Physical Symptoms or Fears Related to Personal or School Problems
Children with emotional disturbance may develop frequent physical complaints or irrational fears associated with their difficulties at school or home. Psychosomatic symptoms are physical problems caused by mental or emotional distress.
Physical symptoms a distressed child might experience include:
- Headaches or stomachaches
- Fatigue and weakness
- Muscle tension or pain
- Sleeping difficulties
- Dizziness or chest pain
These symptoms serve as the body’s way of expressing emotional upset. The child may unconsciously develop them as “escape behaviors” to avoid school or other stressful situations.
Some children become preoccupied with intense fears related to their problems. For example, a child who is teased or mistreated by peers might refuse to go to school out of fear of bullying. Another child might worry obsessively about failing an upcoming test.
These excessive fears hinder the child’s functioning. Treatment involves helping the child overcome the emotional issues fueling the physical and fearful symptoms.
Conclusion
In summary, professionals look for five main characteristics when evaluating a child for emotional disturbance:
- Inability to learn at expected grade level
- Difficulty forming and keeping relationships
- Behaviors or feelings inappropriate for age or situation
- Unhappiness, sadness, or depression
- Physical symptoms or irrational fears tied to personal or school problems
A child displaying these issues over a long period, to a marked degree, and in multiple settings needs specialized help. With proper support, many children with emotional disturbance can successfully manage their symptoms, achieve academically, and develop healthy social skills.
| Characteristic | Examples |
|---|---|
| Inability to learn | Difficulty reading, writing, math despite adequate instruction; failure to meet academic requirements; trouble focusing, following directions, retaining knowledge |
| Relationship difficulties | Doesn’t pick up on social cues; poor communication skills; trouble relating to peers; shy, anxious, or aggressive tendencies |
| Inappropriate behaviors | Extreme aggression; destructive acts; tantrums; excessive silliness or hyperactivity; refusal to comply with rules |
| Unhappiness or depression | Sadness, crying, irritability, moodiness; loss of interest in activities; feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness |
| Physical symptoms or fears | Headaches, fatigue, muscle tension tied to personal or school problems; refusal to go to school out of fear of bullying; obsessive worrying about failing a test |
Additional Facts on Emotional Disturbance
- About 5% of school-aged children have emotional disturbance.
- Boys are 3-4 times more likely to be affected than girls.
- Without treatment, the problems tend to persist and may lead to more serious mental health issues in adulthood.
- Early intervention is key – when identified and treated early, many children can manage their symptoms successfully.
- In the U.S., the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) covers services for children with emotional disturbance in schools.
- Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, behavioral management, family support, medications, and tailored educational services.
- Children with emotional disturbance are at increased risk for issues like academic underachievement, interpersonal problems, substance abuse, legal troubles, and suicide.
- Still, many children find great success with proper treatment and support – emotional disturbance is highly treatable.
- Common diagnoses associated with emotional disturbance include anxiety disorders, mood disorders like depression, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder.
- Key warning signs in younger children include aggression, difficulty regulating emotions, hyperactivity, and severe temper tantrums.