Emotional Disturbance Counseling

Worrying is a normal part of parenthood. You only want the best for your kids, and you want them to live the best life they can. So, when you start noticing that there’s something wrong with them. Maybe he’s not performing well at school or seems depressed. Or maybe you noticed how they don’t seem to have many friends or any at all, and they keep to themselves too much. You start looking for answers. Is it ADHD? Is it Dyslexia? Or Social Anxiety? You’ve googled the symptoms and come up with a few things, but you don’t know exactly what still. Where do you go from here, anyway? What do you do now, and how can you help your child?  

What disorders cause emotional disturbances? 

Emotional Disturbance is an umbrella term for a variety of mental disorders. It is defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or (IDEA) as “. . .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:

(A) An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.

(B) An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers.

(C) Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances.

(D) A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression.

(E) A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.”

IDEA’s emotional disturbance definition is what US schools use to determine eligibility for special education in public schools. There is no clear-cut process to identify children with emotional disturbance. Your child needs to be evaluated first before diagnosis. Anxiety disorders, conduct disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, are all included under ‘emotional disturbance’ in special education.  

The causes of emotional disturbance are unknown. However, genetics, stress, family functions, brain physiology, and even diet contribute to the behavior. 

Symptoms of Emotional Disturbance 

If your child shows the following symptoms, take them for an evaluation with a psychiatrist to get a proper diagnosis and emotional disturbance treatment.  

• Learning difficulties
• Short attention span and inability to focus or concentrate
• Social withdrawal 
• Inappropriate crying or emotional outbursts
• Depression
• Aggression such as fighting
  

You know your kid well and can tell when something is up with them. If you feel like there is something wrong and need help, don’t hesitate to reach out.

How can you help your child?

The treatment for emotional disturbances depends on the diagnosis and type of symptoms your child is experiencing. Hence, it is important to be evaluated and diagnosed beforehand to establish the root cause and create the right treatment plan. Nonetheless, medications and psychosocial interventions such as psychotherapy and family education are the standard treatments for an emotionally disturbed person. 

School-aged children with emotional disturbance disorders should receive special education and other related services for free under the IDEA. Everyone involved in the care and education of the child must be educated about the kid’s needs. 

Both the child and their families need to understand the problem and the disorder’s treatment options fully. We are here to help you at ThoughtWise. 

 We understand how important your child’s mental health is to you. Mental disorders should be treated and dealt with like any other physiological medical condition because mental disorders are medical disorders, per se. 

Our goal is to help your kid, your family, and everyone involved understand what is going on and develop a collaborative plan to address your kid’s needs.

Please contact us for more information about emotional disturbance, including emotional disturbance in adults.