Factors Contributing to Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Children

Discuss about the Emotional and Behavioral Disorders of Children.

“Order is never observed; it is disorder that attracts attention because it is awkward and intrusive.”

The above quoted lines of Eliphas Levi clearly outline the attributes which are attached with are attached with the concept of disorder. It is to be noted that the concept of disorder is a very relative one and depends on the perception of the individual who is interpreting it. A thing which is normal to one person might appear as a disorder to another person. It is commonly seen that many children face the problem of emotional as well as the behavioral disorder in the early part of their life (Weare, 2013). It is a general observation that sometimes these disorders particular related to the emotional as well as the behavioral disorders get cured in the children with the help of professional help however at times they persist in the later part of the life of the children (Emotional and Behavioral Disorder, 2018). According to a research conducted by the “National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)”, “emotional and behavioral disorders affect 10-15 percent of children globally” (Emotional Disturbance | Center for Parent Information and Resources, 2018). It is to be noted that according to another research conducted by the NIHM it was found that “one of particular childhood-onset mental disorder that is widely studied, treated, and diagnosed is ADHD, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and the NIMH cites that 3-5 percent of children globally suffer from this disorder” (Emotional Disturbance | Center for Parent Information and Resources, 2018). Therefore, this is one of the most significant problems which the world is facing at the moment and the remedy of it should be sought on a priority basis in a bid to provide a sound mental as well as emotional health to the children (Weare, 2013). The thesis statement of this report is whether the emotional and behavioral disorders of children are like any other disorders which they face and whether they can be cured over time or not.

It is to be noted that emotional and behavioral disorders are one of the most common disorders which the children face (Hayes, 2016). According to the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)”, emotional and behavioral disorders can be defined as “a condition exhibiting one of the characteristics of emotional and behavioral disorders over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child’s educational performance” (Emotional and Behavioral Disorder, 2018). The IDEA also lists some common characteristics related to this particular condition. They can be summarized as follows-

• Inability to learn new things quickly
• Inability to develop as well as maintain relationships with individuals outside the immediate circle of family
• Unexplained behavior as well as feelings in normal conditions
• Depression or pervasive mood
• Fear and other problems

Types of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Children

However, the “National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southern Arizona” defines emotional and behavioral disorders of the children in the following words “they are medical conditions that disrupt a child’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Just as diabetes is a disorder of the pancreas, emotional and behavioral disorders are medical conditions that often result in a diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life” (Emotional Disturbance | Center for Parent Information and Resources, 2018). It is to be noted that “of the 74.5 million children in the United States, an estimated 17.1 million have or have had a psychiatric disorder” (Children’s Behavioral and Emotional Disorders, 2018). However, the most significant thing about this particular statistics is that more than half of these psychiatric disorders occur at the age of 14-15 and almost 75% about the age of 24  (Children’s Behavioral and Emotional Disorders, 2018). It is to be noted that these psychiatric disorders developed at a tender in the children can often lead to serious problems in the later part of their life with some of them suffering from serious problems like Schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and others (Hayes, 2016). According to the experts the most common emotional and behavioral disorders which the children face are “anxiety disorders, AD/HD and disruptive behavior, depression and bipolar disorders, eating disorders and others” (Mejia, Calam & Sanders, 2012).

Anxiety disorder is one of the most common emotional disorders which the children normally face (Mejia, Calam & Sanders, 2012). This represents an inability on the part of the children to deal with irrational fear or fear of any other kind for that matter (Yoshikawa, Aber & Beardslee, 2012). According to the experts, “these include such different disorders as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder (also called social phobia), and specific phobias” (Children’s Behavioral and Emotional Disorders, 2018). The “Anxiety Disorders Association of America” has declared that anxiety disorder is one of the most serious threats which the children of the world are facing at the moment (Mejia, Calam & Sanders, 2012). According to a statistics revealed by the association this is a curable disorder however “only about 36.9% of those affected receive treatment” (Children’s Behavioral and Emotional Disorders, 2018).

Bipolar disorders are commonly known by the name of “manic-depressive illness” (Cuenca-Carlino & Mustian, 2013). It is to be noted that the children suffering from this particular disorder often experience frequent mood swings with their moods changing very frequently (Cuenca-Carlino & Mustian, 2013). It is to be noted that this particular disorder can be cured over time with the help of effective medical treatment as well as psychosocial treatment.

Available Treatment Methodologies for Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

Conduct disorder relates to “a group of behavioral and emotional problems in youngsters” (Yoshikawa, Aber & Beardslee, 2012). It is to be noted that the children suffering from this particular disorder find it very difficult to follow the various rules as well as regulations stipulated to them (Yoshikawa, Aber & Beardslee, 2012). There are various symptoms by means of which this particular disorder can be identified. The typical ones include an unjustified aggression to human beings as well as animals, violation of rules, property destruction and others (Cook, Tankersley & Landrum, 2013). It is to be noted that the treatment for this particular disorder varies as per the severity of the child’s condition, the age as well as the sex of the child (Cook, Tankersley & Landrum, 2013). The particular disorder can be cured by means of effective family therapy, medication, peer therapy and also by making the child understand the value of the rules and regulations (Cook, Tankersley & Landrum, 2013).

This particular disorder is commonly called by the name of OCD. This is another commonly encountered disorder among the children and is often considered to be a form of anxiety disorder (Barlow, Allen & Choate, 2016). According to the experts, “OCD is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors (handwashing, counting, checking, or cleaning) are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away” (Barlow, Allen & Choate, 2016). It is to be noted that these repetitive behaviors provide only temporary relief to the individuals suffering from this particular disorder however not performing these repetitive actions makes them have severe anxiety disorders  (Rose & Espelage, 2012). According to the experts, the particular disorder results from “a chemical imbalance in the brain”. Therefore, a treatment for this particular disorder should include “Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)”, medication and others (Rose & Espelage, 2012).

These in short are some of the common emotional and behavioral disorders faced by the children. In addition to this there are others as like eating disorders, psychotic disorders and others.

It is to be noted that the various experts have found various reasons for the emotional as well as the behavioral disorders which they face. Heredity is one of the major factors which forms contributes significantly towards the emotional as well as the behavioral disorders faced by the children (Sklad, et al., 2012). It is commonly seen that if the parents of the child or for that matter any other member of their family had a past history of emotional as well as behavioral disorders then the child is at a very high risk of getting the same. Another factor which contributes significantly towards the development of emotional and behavioral disorders in children is the physical as well as the emotional environment in which the child has been brought up (Forness et al., 2012). Therefore, if the child has been brought up in an environment where he or she is made to face extreme stress, subjected to continuous fights between their parents, peer pressure and various others then the child is more likely to develop emotional as well as behavioral disorders (Forness et al., 2012). The diet or the eating pattern of the child also plays a significant role in the development of the various emotional as well as behavioral disorders (Gregory & Sadeh, 2012). It is commonly seen that the children with irregular eating habits as well as the ones who does not eat proper and adequate amount of food often develop various kinds of emotional and behavioral disorders. Sometimes it is also seen that the children develop various kinds of emotional as well as behavioral disorders due to brain disorder (Sklad, et al., 2012). Family functioning is another factor which plays a significant role in the development of various emotional as well as mental disorders. Maltreatment and exposure to violence from an early age can also lead to the problem of emotional as well as behavioral problem in children  (Gregory & Sadeh, 2012). According to “National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southern Arizona”, “Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan” (Gleason, Goldson & Yogman, 2018). The association further goes on to say that the disorders can affect any person irrespective “of any age, race, religion, or income” (Gleason, Goldson & Yogman, 2018).

There are several remedial measures which the parents as well as the family members of the children having emotional as well as behavioral problems can take the help of in order to cure their child. It is often seen that these emotional as well as behavioral problems persist and often lead on to more serious other problems if timely remedy and treatment is not sought. Therefore, proper treatment as well as medication should be provided to the children with emotional and behavioral problem (Gregory & Sadeh, 2012). According to “Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s National Report of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices”, early intervention on the part of the parents as well as the family members and effective help from the professionals can help the children to overcome their emotional as well as behavioral problems  (Gregory & Sadeh, 2012). It is to be noted that these professional experts have developed several strategies for the effective treatment of the children having emotional as well as behavioral disorder. The treatment given by them to the children with emotional and behavioral disorder usually consists of a combination of “home visiting, parent groups, targeted addressing of basic needs and videos to enhance parental self-reflection skills” (How Emotional and Behavioral Disorders are Treated, 2018). It is to be noted that these strategies have shown positive results over the years and have “a range of outcomes related to positive emotional, behavioral and relationship development”. It is to be noted that one of the most commonly utilized methods by the professionals is the use of the “Video Interaction Project” by means of which the professionals try to make the parents understand the basic needs as well as the requirements of the child (Raymond, 2016). In several cases, effective emotional as well as behavioral counseling can also help in the process. It is often seen that the active help as well as the co-operation of the parents and the family members enables the child to overcome their emotional and behavioral disorder (Raymond, 2016). The role played by the schools and other educational institutions is very significant to note in this particular context. According to IDEA, “typically, educational programs for children with an emotional disturbance need to include attention to providing emotional and behavioral support as well as helping them to master academics, develop social skills, and increase self-awareness, self-control, and self-esteem” (How Emotional and Behavioral Disorders are Treated, 2018). Thus, the various schools and other educational institutions should seek to offer “positive behavioral support (PBS)” in order to minimize the problematic behavior of the children with emotional as well as behavioral disorder (Raymond, 2016). The IDEA further states that “For a child whose behavior impedes learning (including the learning of others), the team developing the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) needs to consider, if appropriate, strategies to address that behavior, including positive behavioral interventions, strategies, and supports” (How Emotional and Behavioral Disorders are Treated, 2018). In severe cases, the parents as well as the family members can take the help of the various organizations and help providers like “National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse”, “Mental Health America”, “NAMI | National Alliance on Mental Illness”, “American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry”, “American Psychological Association” and others (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In some cases, the emotional as well as behavioral problems can be overcome by means of mere talk therapy as well. The role played by the parents, family members and friends is perhaps the most significant in this particular context. It is to be noted that love and care are the basic requirements of every child and if the child does not get them at home or from friends then this is likely to affect him or her in a very negative manner. Therefore, the support of the family members and friends can help the child to overcome his or her emotional and behavioral disorders.

Conclusion

Therefore, from the above discussion it becomes that emotional and behavioral of children is one of the major problems which the children face. There are several reasons for the emotional as well as the behavioral disorders which the children face. It is to be noted that there are several kinds of disorders related to the emotional as well as the behavioral aspects of the children and often it becomes very hard for the professionals to distinguish one form of disorder from another. It is to be noted that most of these disorders can be cured by means of effective treatment and other strategies. However, if they are not treated properly then they cause serious problems in the later part of their life. In fact it is often seen that the children who are not treated properly often end up developing several psychotic disorders. Therefore, effective treatment is very important for the children.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub. Retrived from https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=-JivBAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT22&dq=+mental+disorders+in+children+and+adolescents&ots=cePN3-LMx7&sig=5ckFhaMb3dEkq2j6zZrUJw0PWV8#v=onepage&q=mental%20disorders%20in%20children%20and%20adolescents&f=false

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Hayes, S. C. (2016). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Relational Frame Theory, and the Third Wave of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies–Republished Article. Behavior therapy, 47(6), 869-885. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005789416300946

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Sanders, H. F. (2015). Phenomenological study of Mexican parents conceptualization of education related to student success (Doctoral dissertation, University of Phoenix). Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/openview/67abbc347e994da604c2ee92ebdd46cd/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

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