Being emotionally disturbed can be a distressing and confusing experience. There are many aspects of an emotional disturbance that seriously impact someone’s daily interactions and relationships. Also, there are several types of emotional disturbances (discussed below) as well as symptoms that will be commonly seen.
As a general rule, trouble sleeping, weight fluctuations, irritability, social withdrawal, “random” body aches/pains, trouble focusing, feeling sad or depressed most of the time and inappropriate expression of self or behavior are commonly seen symptoms with those who are emotionally disturbed.
In this article, we’ll also look at the symptoms in more depth and discuss the 6 types of emotional disturbances. We’ll also touch on a number of commonly asked questions regarding the topic of emotional disturbances.
The 8 Symptoms Explained
Trouble Sleeping/Sleep Issues
When someone is struggling with an emotional disturbance, irregular sleep is typical. Some people reported not being able to sleep or only being able to sleep for a few hours.
Others might experience the opposite. Sleeping far more than usual is also a symptoms due to depression like symptoms. When someone is emotionally disturbed, it usually takes a substantial amount of energy to cope.
Unfortunately, either lack of sleep or sleeping too much can have negative consequences on someone’s wellbeing in addition to their other symptoms while experiencing an emotional disturbance.
Online therapy can help with a variety of mental health issues including emotional disturbances. Getting started with a certified therapist is easy with OnlineTherapy.
If you’d like to start online therapy with a certified therapist (plus a full toolbox including extra supportive activities) you can get 20% off your first full month with this special discount link!
Weight Fluctuations
Changes in stress level, hormones, sleep quality and more can all have an impact on an individual’s weight. During a period of emotional disturbance, someone will be exceptionally distressed.
This translates into poor lifestyle choices including consuming unhealthy food, potentially drinking more alcohol and lack of exercise. All of these can contribute to an unhealthy weight, especially when combined over a long period of time.
Irritability
When emotionally disturbed, emotions are not regulated or under control. Irritability is commonly seen simply due to how distressing the experience is.
Imagine you’re having a bad day and something happens that is the “last straw” and you snap. Now imagine you’ve been having a bad day for days on end and on top of that you do not have the emotional capacity to appropriately respond to certain situations. Irritability is almost a give in.
Social Withdrawal
For some, social withdrawal is a common symptom when they’re emotionally disturbed. They might not want to be around others because of depression like symptoms or lack of motivation.
Some people find comfort in solitude. They might simply prefer to be alone when they’re going through something difficult. While we al need a good support system in order to thrive, stepping away and allowing yourself to decompress and observe your pain can be useful.
On the other hand, being alone in time of need can cause more harm than good, depending on the individual and how severe their condition is. During a period of emotional disturbance, an individual’s social needs may vary.
“Random” Body Aches/Pains
When your mental and emotional health is suffering, so does your physical health usually. In the case of an emotional disturbance, random body aches and pains are common.
This can be due to poor posture, a weakened body/energy levels, digestive system issues, muscle tension, headaches and more. Emotional health can impact more than we are usually are aware of. Some people might even experience joint pain.
Bottling emotional pain up and not properly dealing with it will cause aches and pains to be worse than if a proper release is sought out.
Trouble Focusing
An unhealthy state of mind usually leads to lack of focus but dealing with an emotional disturbance is an “all hands on deck” situation which will take all of the individual’s focus and energy.
Someone who does not know that they’re experience an emotional disturbance might become especially irritated with themselves and might lash out or act compulsively as a response.
Taking time to care for yourself is best when experiencing such debilitating symptoms such as these.
Feeling Sad or Depressed Most of the Time
Feelings of persistent sadness and/or depression are common with an emotional disturbance. Someone who does not usually have an issue with depression can still experience this as it has nothing to do with whether or not they typically suffer with a mental disorder such as depression.
When feelings of persistent sadness are present, one cannot simply “cheer up” or pull themselves out of it as many of us are able to do under normal circumstances. Things might seem hopeless for seemingly no reason.
When dealing with feelings like this during an emotional disturbance, the individual might understand that their feeling are caused by their poor emotional state but the feelings are so real and strong that it will not matter in the moment.
Self-care is not a luxury, it’s a responsibility to your own well-being! Start making your self-care a priority with these simple ideas today!
Click the image to get your FREE Printable!
Inappropriate Expression of Self or Behavior
Emotional disturbances are so powerful that they complete prevent the individual from appropriately expressing themselves at times. The same is true for their behavior. Someone who is struggling with an emotional disturbance might come off as rude or insensitive to others.
They might also react inappropriately in social setting and might make people uncomfortable at times. When someone’s appropriate emotional response is not available, they might say things they don’t mean or would regret later on.
What makes someone Emotionally Disturbed?
Causes of emotional disturbances vary by individual case. Like many mental or emotional health disorders, pre-existing factors are key. Stress, trauma, certain head injuries, genetic factors, abuse and other environmental or life experiences all play a part in the development of an emotional disturbance.
Factors such as these can contribute to the development of an emotional disturbance due to chemical imbalances in the brain, unhealthy lifestyle and inherited personality traits.
Inherited personality traits such as those associated with anxiety, depression, stress or feelings of self-worth (along with conditioning and environmental factors a child is in growing up) is what can directly cause an emotional disturbance “genetically”.
What are the 6 types of Emotional Disturbances?
There are six types of emotional disturbances that are most commonly seen. Anxiety, bipolar, eating disorders, as well as OCD, conduct and psychotic disorders are the six most commonly experienced forms of emotional disturbances. Here’s a little bit more on each of the six types.
Anxiety Disorders
An anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that is associated with a variety of feelings such as worry, stress and fearfulness. These intense feelings lead to emotional distress which can cause an emotional disturbance.
Knowing how to tell if you struggle with anxiety can be useful in preventing it from developing into a more severe version of itself.
Anxiety attacks and dealing with anxiety in general are one of several difficulties that come along with a variety of mental illnesses. Panic Away is a program designed to eliminate the root of your anxiety to help you achieve a higher quality of life.
Check it out HERE to see if it’s right for you!
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by episodes of mania and depression (bipolar 1) or hypomania and depression (bipolar 2). The distressing symptoms of the mood swings associated with bipolar disorder can cause an emotional disturbance to develop of the symptoms are not properly treated.
Conduct Disorders
Conduct disorders are behavior disorders that are typically diagnosed among children and teens. This is usually characterized by mischievous and criminal behavior including lying, stealing and violence.
Generally speaking the four typical types of conduct disorders are destructive, aggressive, deception and breaking of rules/laws. Traumatic experiences and/or mental health conditions are typically the cause for conduct disorders.
Unfortunately, in addition to those disorders/mental health concerns, an emotional disturbance can develop from conduct disorders as well.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders, like most disorders, are caused from some form of trauma or mental condition. Common eating disorder symptoms are more often seen in teen girls and women than in males. The reason often stems from some sort of self-esteem issue surrounding body image.
Unfortunately, having an eating disorder may out one at risk for also developing an emotional disturbance. This is due to the severe emotional issues and stressors that are already present when someone is living with an eating disorder.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is an anxiety disorder that causes an individual to behave in a variety of unusual ways. Obsessions and Compulsions are what make OCD what it is. When a cycle of obsessions and compulsions becomes so intrusive that it affects the individual’s life on a regular basis, OCD is usually diagnosed.
Psychotic Disorders
Typically a psychotic disorder is generally characterized by the involvement of hallucinations and/or delusions. Psychotic disorders are not limited to certain mental health conditions.
Physical health conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke and HIV (to name a few) have been known to exhibit hallucinations and/or delusions as well. To learn about psychotic conditions such as paranoid psychosis, check out this earlier article on What is Paranoid Psychosis?: Causes, Symptoms and More.
What are serious Emotional Disturbances?
This is a commonly asked question wondering what are the “serious” emotional disturbances one might experience. The answer is that any of the 6 types mentioned above have the potential to be extremely serious depending on the unique experience and condition of the individual.
In short, anxiety, bipolar, eating disorders, OCD, conduct and psychotic disorders are each just as valid and serious as the next. One type is not more serious than the other.
How do you deal with an Emotionally Disturbed Person?
The best thing you can do to help an emotionally disturbed person is to attentively listen to them. Whatever they’re going through is very real and distressing. Just because you may not think that their concerns and dilemmas are legitimate or warrant much concern does not mean that they are invalid or “fake”.
The mind does not discriminate between whether or not something is real in the physical world as compared to just “in your head”.
If the individual is destressed on a level that seems inappropriate to what’s going on around them, it is because they are fighting some huge battles due to their emotional state. Actively listening and offering to help them get help is a great way to show support and try to help.
Is being Emotionally Disturbed a Mental Illness?
Yes. In this case, it is an emotional health issue which is considered a mental illness. While emotional and mental health can be two separate things, in this case an emotional disturbance has everything to do with both mental and emotional health. Anything that disrupts a healthy state of mind is a mental illness.
Even if you are not diagnosed with a mental health disorder the overall state of your mental health and well-being can classify as “mentally ill” for any average person. Keeping one’s mental health in check is not just for those with a disorder.
“Small” mental and emotional health problems are what lead to disturbances and and disorders. It’s important to take all forms of mental illness seriously.
What is the difference between an Emotional Disturbance and Behavioral Disorder?
An emotional disturbance can develop from a behavioral disorder. Usually, behavior issues are an inappropriate expression of pain in some way. In this scenario, an emotional disturbance can develop as the result of unresolved mental and emotional health issues.
Behavioral disorders can be corrected with therapy and much needed support and connection with someone. Emotional disturbances may require more specialized treatment depending on the situation.
How common is Emotional Disturbance?
The general/short answer is that an emotional disturbance is more common than you think. Referencing the six types of mental disorders where emotional disturbances are seen (anxiety, bipolar, eating disorders, OCD, conduct and psychotic disorders) chances are that 1 out of 4 people will experience an emotional disturbance on some level during their lifetime.
Between the 6 sub-types of anxiety alone, nearly 26% of the U.S. populations suffer with some form of anxiety.
And that’s just what is diagnosed. We all experience anxiety from time to time but there are so many people who suffer in silence, never receive help and go undiagnosed each year.
All in all experiencing an emotional disturbance is more common than some might think. Someone who is unaware of what they’re dealing with might think it’s depression or describe it as being in a “funk”.
It’s important to not assume what someone is experiencing as it’s often much more extreme than those suffering let on.
