Understanding Emotional Behavioral Disorder

Emotional behavioral disorder (EBD) is a disruptive mental health condition that causes children to have extreme difficulty managing their emotions and behavior, and that can affect their ability to function in most if not all areas of their lives.

Although manifestations of emotional behavioral disorder can vary from child to child, it is typically characterized by an inability to learn which cannot be explained by health, intellectual, or sensory factors; an inability to form or maintain interpersonal relationships with teachers and peers.

It can also be characterized by inappropriate behaviors such as aggression, defiance, or disruptiveness; an overall mood of depression or unhappiness; and a tendency to develop unexplained physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school-related problems.

The good news is that emotional behavioral disorder is treatable. Early evaluation and intervention can help ensure that your child gets the proper treatment and support he or she needs to succeed in and outside of the classroom.

Common characteristics

One key difference between normal childhood behavior and the behavior of children with emotional behavioral disorder is that the characteristics exhibited by children with EBT do not just happen occasionally. They are chronic, longstanding, and continue to occur over a period of at least six months.

Common red flags include:

• Age-inappropriate or disruptive behavior.
• Impaired ability to function in a healthy way at home, school, or in social settings.
• Trouble getting along with others and making or keeping friends.
• Prolonged, intense emotions such as moodiness, emotional outbursts, irritability, anger, general sadness or unhappiness, and aggression.
• Constant arguing and refusal to follow rules.
• Disrespect for authority.
• Impulsivity
• Self-harming behaviors
• Trouble making appropriate behavior choices.
• Inability to handle frustration or regulate emotions.
• Short attention span.
• Excessive worry and anxiety.
• Obsessions.
• Physical aches and pains that have no medical cause.

Causes of emotional behavioral disorder

To date, no single direct cause of emotional behavioral disorder has been identified. However, several risk factors can contribute to it such as a genetic predisposition, a history of mental health disorders among immediate family members, brain damage or dysfunction.

Others include disrupted development, unstable family dynamics, chronic stress in the home, and traumatic experiences such as physical, sexual, or psychological abuse. In some cases, it can even be a learned response when acting out is the only way the child can get a response.

Top tips for supporting children with emotional behavior disorder

Establish rules

Make a list of short, simple, clearly defined rules that are positive and easy to understand. They should be written out, and the list should not be longer than five or six rules.

Have consequences

Establish consequences for breaking the rules or behaving inappropriately and make sure your child knows what they are ahead of time. Be consistent about applying them and do so in a firm, but kind and calm manner.

Create a routine

Children with emotional behavior disorder have difficulty handling unexpected changes and transitions. Having a fixed routine helps them know what to expect and provides them with predictability and stability.

Support positive behavior

Respond to your child’s behavior proactively rather than reactively. Use positive reinforcement such as rewarding good behavior to encourage positive choices.

Encourage independence

Assist your child to be as independent as possible. Use games and interactive activities to teach them appropriate social and emotional skills. Model them, practice them, and provide immediate feedback. You can also help your child identify and express their feelings through creative techniques such as drawing or storytelling.

If you feel your child may be struggling with emotional behavior disorder and would like to learn more about it and what counseling options are available to help them, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.