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Facts During the 2000 school year, more then 470,000 children and youth with an emotional disturbance were provided special education and related services in the public schools Emotional Disorders effects 3 to 5% of all children born Boys out number girls 8 to 1 when being diagnosed with emotional disorders Anxiety and emotional disorders cost the U.S. $46.6 billion in 1990, nearly one-third of the nation's total mental health bill of $148 billion About 19 million americans suffer from symptoms of emotional depression each year In low-income families, the percentage of children age 6 to 11 with high levels of behavioral and emotional problems ranged from 7 percent to 13 percent |
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Influential Figures
Links Section
CEO:
Joe Craft
Members:
Sigmund Freud
Jean Piaget
Jeanne Segal
Lev Vygotsky
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Defining Children with Emotional Disorders and Symptoms
Many terms are used to describe emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders. The current definition of the disablity is defined under the Individuals with Disablities Education Act as follows: A condition exhibiting one or more of the following charactistics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child's educational perfomance.
An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors.
Feeling depressed or uneasy in everyday normal circumstances.
A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.
An inablity to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal, relationships with peers or teachers over long instances of time.
Characteristics of the Disorder
The causes of emotional disturbance include a various variety of factors including: heredity, brain disorder, diet, stress, and family functions.
- Some of the characteristics and behaviors seen in children who have emotional disturbance include:
- 1. Hyperactivity (short attention spans and a high impulsiveness)
- 2. Aggression (acting out of aggression, a high fighting record)
- 3. Withdrawal (failure to get involved in relationships, both personal and impersonal)
- 4. Immaturity (crying, temper tantrums)
- 5. Learning difficulties (performance skills on test and work is increasingly low)
- 6. Eating Disorders
- 7. Substance Abuse Disorders
- 8. Anxiety Disorders
My Child has an Emotional Disorder... NOW WHAT
Families of children with emotional disturbances may need help in understanding their children's condition and in learning how to work effectively with them. Help is available from: psychiatrists, psychologists, or all other health professionals in public or private health settings.
- 1. Medications can be subscribed to treat children with emotional disorders. ( Methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine or Dextrostat), and pemoline (Cylert).
- 2. Become educated in the disorder by using your public library as a source, internet resources, or medical references (such as handouts or pamphlets)
www.aacap.org/factsfam/index.htm
www.mentalhealth.org/child/factshee.htm
Leading the Path on the Way to Recovery
Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., is a noted leader in the field of emotional intelligence. As a practicing psychologist, public speaker, and respected author she has been developing skills to help others for more than 25 years. As a young psychologist, Dr. Segal worked with pioneers Abraham Maslow, Rollo May, and Carl Rogers and sat on the board of the Association for Humanistic Psychology. She traveled with other humanistic psychologists on a peace mission to the former USSR at the height of the Cold War. Since that time, in physicians' offices, clinics, hospitals, hospices, private practice, training programs, workshops, and seminars, and through her writings, she has continued to explore and develop new ways of expanding emotional awareness and improving emotional management.
IMPORTANT ARTICLES
CARING FOR CHILDREN WITH EMOTIONAL DISORDERS GROWS INCREASINGLY STRESSFUL OVER TIME; HURTS PARENTAL WELL-BEING http://www.acs.ohio-state.edu/researchnews/archive/children.htm (posted by The Ohio State Research Committee)
Other Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents http://childparenting.about.com/cs/behaviorproblems/a/disruptivebehav.htm (posted by Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General)
In order to merit this diagnosis, a person must have at least five of the following symptoms nearly every day for at least two weeks:
Sad moodTearfulness
Psychomotor retardation
Decreased energy
Diminished interest or pleasure
Insomnia
Poor appetite
Weight loss
Poor concentration
Feelings of worthlessness
Hopelessness or excessive guilt
Suicidal ideation
RESOURCES & REFERENCES
- http://www.jeannesegal.com/about.htm
- http://www.jeannesegal.com/trauma/emotional_trauma_factors.htm
Take the Quiz, and Evaluate Yourself!!!
Respond yes or no to the following to determine if you might be living with the aftermath of a traumatic event:
___ 1. Can you stand to be alone without turning on your cell phone, computer, or TV?
___ 2. Do you rely on coffee, cigarettes, or alcohol to lift and/or calm you?
___ 3. Are you plagued by physical conditions for which there appear to be no cures?
___ 4. Do you "lose it" with certain people or in certain situations?
___ 5. Do you avoid things you wish you could do?
___ 6. Do you have to be accomplishing something in order to feel good?
___ 7. Do you frequently behave in ways that you regret?
___ 8. Do you suffer from mysterious ailments that come and go?
___ 9. Do you find it impossible to focus on some things for more than a time?
___ 10. Is it hard for you to trust people?
___ 11. Do you feel depressed or anxious although you have tried conventional treatments?
___ 12. Is it difficult for you to commit to a relationship?
If you answered "yes" to 3 or more questions, you might be suffering from emotional trauma.
