Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders (SEBD) are typically referred to when a child/teen is experiencing emotional problems having behavioral issues. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), emotional and behavioral disorders affect 10-15 percent of children globally. Children and teenagers who are confronted with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders are challenged with feelings of discomfort on a daily basis within their home and school environments. Fortunately these disorders are treatable and youth with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders have proven to be resilient with the correct treatment. Emotional behavior disorders in children and teens have no single known cause, but there are a number of factors that can together foster a predisposition for it. Your child’s/teen’s ability to handle emotions can be positively or negatively impacted by their biological makeup, home life, and school environment. Fortunately, emotional disturbance can often be detected and treated as early as elementary or middle school.
Several disorders fall into this category and can be either diagnosed alone or with another diagnosis. Some disorders are classified as:
- Anxiety Disorders including: Social Anxiety, Social Phobia, Separation Anxiety, and Generalized Anxiety.
- Depressive Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders including: Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hoarding Disorder, Trichotillomania (hair pulling), Excoriation (skin picking), and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders including: Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Disruptive, Impulse Control, & Conduct Disorders including: Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Kleptomania, and Intermittent Explosive Disorder.
- Developmental issues/delays
- Academic and language disabilities
- Physical and/or learning disabilities
- Family conflict
If your child or teen is experiencing a social, emotional, or behavioral disturbance for any of the factors listed above, we are here to help. Although there is no single factor responsible for SEBD, the first step toward prevention is recognizing the factors that could be causing it. We can assist you and your child/teen in this process and explore treatment options. Contact me today to schedule an appointment.