Emotional disturbance is a mental illness where individuals experience extreme mood swings, depression, or anxiety. It can adversely affect behavior and relationships. These emotional disturbances can be mild, moderate, or severe. Emotional disturbances may be part of a more significant mental health disorder.

The mental health of individuals (children or adults) should be considered. Organizations such as schools, work, and families cannot function if an individual is emotionally disturbed. Emotional disturbances can often be misdiagnosed and, therefore, not treated effectively.

Emotional disturbance is a mental health condition that affects a person’s ability to function, deal with emotions and respond appropriately in social situations. Emotional disturbances may signify other conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorder. They also may be a symptom of an underlying mental illness such as conduct disorder or bipolar disorder.

Mental illnesses are characterized by changes in thinking and mood that interfere with relationships and daily living activities. People with emotional disturbances may have more difficulty dealing with stress, get upset more quickly, and have difficulty learning.

If a loved one is experiencing emotional disturbances, do not hesitate to contact us at Hanei Health Solutions. We encourage you to call us today and talk to one of our staff, who will provide you with resources about emotional disturbances and how we can help you. You can also visit us at Gaithersburg and Catonsville, MD.

Characteristics

As IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) defines, emotional disturbances include symptoms of other mental health disorders and abnormalities in thinking, mood, perception, and behavior.

Emotional distress is overwhelming concern about things you can not change. There is an emotional component to the symptoms; physical symptoms can accompany this.

Some of the behaviors and characteristics are seen in individuals who have an emotional disturbance include:

• Aggressive behavior (Fighting, brawling)
• Hyperactivity (Impulsive)
• Immaturity ( Tantrums, inappropriate crying)
• Withdrawal (Excessive anxiety or fear)
• Learning Difficulties (Performing below grade level in academics)

Disruptive behaviors, abnormal mood swings, and excessive anxiety may represent children or adolescents with the most severe symptoms and personality changes.

If a child or teenager has an emotional disturbance, seeking help and treating the condition is essential. Hanei Health Solutions in Catonsville and Gaithersburg provides various treatment options to help patients overcome emotional disorders.

Characteristics Of Some Of The Most Common Emotional Disturbances

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive disorder) is a mood disorder that causes severe shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. When a person is manic, they feel “high” and overly excited or irritable for several days. During a depressive episode of bipolar disorder, an individual feels very sad for weeks or months.

Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorders are treatable illnesses that affect the way a person feels. Anxiety disorder can interfere with daily life and make it difficult to go to school or work. An anxiety disorder is diagnosed when a child or adult repeatedly has intense fear, worry, or panic that affects their ability to function in daily life.

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a pattern of behavior in children and adolescents that involves violating the rights of others and the rules of society. Most children with conduct disorder are at risk for substance abuse and criminal behavior when they become adults.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is when individuals feel compelled to perform something repetitively and check to see whether they did it right. It can be something as simple as checking the door a certain number of times or making sure that a picture is hung precisely in place before they will leave the house.

Psychotic Disorder

A psychotic disorder is a mental illness that affects a person’s thinking and behavior. When someone is psychotic, they may hear voices or see things that aren’t real. These symptoms are a break from reality. They cause severe emotional distress, make it hard to function, and can even be life-threatening.

Treatment for this kind of disorder will differ from one person to another. It is essential to understand the type of disorder you are dealing with so that you can seek proper treatment for it. Hanei Health Solutions in Gaithersburg and Catonsville specializes in helping children and adults improve their quality of life after being diagnosed with an emotional disturbance disorder.

Causes Of Emotional Disturbance

No one knows precisely why emotional disturbances develop. Although they are thought to be caused by a combination of brain disorders, stress, and diet, there is no particular cause. It is also believed that a combination of genetics and environment also play a role in developing these disorders.

Emotional disturbances are not always caused by a mental illness, however. Many people with emotional disturbances experience them simultaneously with another disorder, such as depression or anxiety. This disorder poses additional challenges for those living with emotional disturbances and those around them.

Risks For Students With Emotional Disturbances

Students with emotional disturbances are at an increased risk for academic failure. Usually, they require special education programs, counseling or psychotherapy services, and medications to help them. If you are concerned that your child is experiencing emotional disturbances, call Hanei Health Solutions in Gaithersburg and Catonsville, MD, today.

Children or adolescents who experience symptoms of an emotional disturbance may briefly benefit from supportive counseling. The symptoms of emotional upset may be temporarily improved by family therapy. However, no medications will cure these disorders, so a proper treatment plan is needed to manage them.