People with dyslexia often get frustrated because no matter how hard they try, they can't seem to keep up with other students. They might feel that they're not as smart as their peers, and may cover up their problems by acting up in class or being the class clown.
Dyslexia is not an emotional disorder, but the frustrating nature of this learning disability can lead to feelings of anxiety, anger, low self–esteem and depression. Read scenarios in the dyslexic child's life that can give rise to social and emotional difficulties.
There is a common misconception that dyslexia only affects the ability to read and write. In reality, dyslexia can affect memory, organisation, time-keeping, concentration, multi-tasking and communication.
The same study reported that one out of two dyslexics has lower school self-esteem than the average of the “control” group. In another study, low self-esteem was found in dyslexic children between the ages of 8 and 15. The self-esteem level was inversely associated with the severity of anxiety and depression disorders.
Left untreated, dyslexia may lead to low self-esteem, behavior problems, anxiety, aggression, and withdrawal from friends, parents and teachers. Problems as adults. The inability to read and comprehend can prevent children from reaching their potential as they grow up.
Anxiety is the most frequent emotional symptom reported by both children and adults with dyslexia. Anxiety is a normal, adaptive human response intended to protect us from danger. It often results in the typical reactions of fight, flight, or freeze when encountering an adverse situation.
In this academic study, researchers found that we dyslexics seem to be highly sensitive and attuned to our social environment. This can be a strength, a benefit of having dyslexia; however, this might also be the reason why we are more prone to things like anxiety and depression.
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects the skills involved in accurate and fluent word reading and spelling. Characteristic features of dyslexia are difficulties in phonological awareness, verbal memory and verbal processing speed. Dyslexia occurs across the range of intellectual abilities.
All people, young and old, can experience overwhelming stress and exhibit signs of anxiety, but children, adolescents, and adults with dyslexia are particularly vulnerable.
Because of these interferences, reading can take significantly longer and potentially lead to headaches, migraines, eye strain, frequent blinking or rubbing of eyes and, predictably, increased tiredness. It is a sad reality that so often we hear of dyslexics being called lazy, stupid or not trying hard enough.
In stressful situations, their coping mechanisms may not work and they could struggle to keep up with their peers. People with dyslexia are also often unorganized with messy hand-writing, messy workplaces, messy bag-packs etc. They may also suffer from discrimination and bullying.
What does this mean for dyslexics? In summary, stress and anxiety will prevent learning. Simply thinking about or remembering the previous experiences will likely illicit the same physiological response and prevent learning.
Many adults with dyslexia see themselves as more emotionally sensitive than other people. In its most extreme form, high levels of emotional sensitivity are both a blessing and a weakness. The positive features of this trait helps adults build meaningful relationships with others.
Dyslexics become fearful because of their constant frustration and confusion in school. These feelings are exacerbated by the inconsistencies of dyslexia. Because they may anticipate failure, entering new situations can becomes extremely anxiety provoking. Anxiety causes human beings to avoid whatever frightens them.
Visual Thinking
Many people with dyslexia often think in images as opposed to words, which is attributed to the unique activations in their brains. People with dyslexia are also more likely to form 3D spatial images in their minds than non-dyslexic people.
Frequently has to re-read sentences in order to comprehend. Fatigues or becomes bored quickly while reading. Reliance on others (assistants, spouses, significant others) for written correspondence. Uncertainty with words, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Dyslexic adults can experience emotions such as anxiety, anger and depression. A dyslexic partner may take their anger out on their non-dyslexic partner or feel too anxious or depressed to spend any time with them. Adults with dyslexia can also feel confused, bewildered, embarrassed, ashamed and guilty.
Dyslexic children, like children with AD/HD, may have difficulty paying attention because reading is so demanding that it causes them to fatigue easily, limiting the ability to sustain concentration. People with dyslexia and those with AD/HD both have difficulty with reading.
Researchers at the University of East London found that many people with dyslexia demonstrate better skills at manipulating 3D objects, and remembering virtual environments when compared to non-dyslexics.
People often confuse dyslexia and autism for one another or conflate them for their similarities. But they are two completely different disorders that affect the brains of people in different ways.
Firstly, it is theorised that dyslexics may have high levels of emotional intelligence, sensitivity, and awareness of others' emotions because they frequently experience 'secondary symptoms of dyslexia'.