How does a divorce effect a child’s emotions?
The negative emotions and uncertainty in the break up of a marriage inevitably affect children. Since most children can’t express their feelings directly about their parents’ divorce, they usually act out those feelings. And the most common emotion children use in “acting out” during a divorce is anger. What other problems can cause a child’s angry behavior? Anger and other unhealthy behavior is seen as a symptom of family dysfunction. A mental or physical illness in the family can throw the family system out of kilter. Anger can also be a symptom for many psychological and physical illnesses of childhood, including Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, depression, panic disorder, chemical dependency, personality disorder, epilepsy, Tourette’s syndrome, mental retardation, or brain damage. What is the difference between explosive and seething anger? Explosive anger builds up very rapidly, erupts, and then subsides. Although in many situations it is healthy
