Abstract

An internalizing disorder is one type of emotional and behavioral disorder, along with externalizing disorders, and low incidence disorders. One who suffers from an internalizing disorder will keep their problems to themselves, or internalize the problems.

Symptoms

Behaviors that are apparent in those with internalizing disorders include depression, withdrawal, anxiety, and loneliness. There are also behavioral characteristics involved with internalizing disorders. Some behavioral abnormalities include poor self-esteem, suicidal behaviors, decreased academic progress, and social withdrawal. Internalizing one's problems, like sadness, can cause the problems to grow into larger burdens such as social withdrawal, suicidal behaviors or thoughts, and other unexplained physical symptoms.

DSM-5

The internalizing disorders, with high levels of negative affectivity, include depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, trauma and stressor-related disorders, and dissociative disorders. Others like bulimia, and anorexia also come under this category.

Treatment

Some treatments for internalizing disorders include antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy, and psychotherapy.