How Learning Disorders Fuel Anxiety, Depression, and More

Former professional football player Lewis Howes, who hosts the wildly popular podcast The School of Greatness, seems to have it all. But in a candid session with Dr. Daniel Amen, Howes shares that he didn’t always feel like a success. In fact, the bestselling author and entrepreneur says, “I felt like I was dumb pretty much my whole life.” Howes struggled in school, where he says he was always at the bottom of his class. He had a tutor and attended special needs classes during recess and after school, but no matter how hard he studied he still got Cs and Ds. When he entered eighth grade, he tested at a second-grade reading level, and administrators wanted to hold him back a grade. It was a real blow to his self-esteem. “[Learning] was always stressful. It was always exhausting,” says Howes. Eventually, he thought, “What’s the point of trying?” As a result of constantly trailing behind his peers academically, he struggled with confidence, insecurity, and anxiety that lasted into his 20s. With the help of psychotherapy, workshops, and other therapeutic experiences, Howes has managed to overcome it, but not everybody does. In fact, having any form of learning disability is linked to a greater risk of lasting mental health problems. Having any form of learning disability is linked to a greater risk of lasting mental health problems.

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WHAT ARE LEARNING DISABILITIES?

Learning disabilities encompass a range of issues that negatively impact academic performance. Common learning disorders include: Specific learning disabilities are the most common form of learning disorders, accounting for 33% of the 7 million students in U.S. public schools receiving special education services, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. A specific learning disability (SLD) is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder that causes problems with reading, writing, spelling, thinking, speaking, or doing math. SLDs include dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia. Irlen syndrome is a visual processing problem in which certain colors irritate the brain. Although it is not widely known, Irlen syndrome affects nearly half of individuals with reading or learning problems. Being unaware of this underlying condition can lead to a lifetime of frustration. Autism spectrum disorder is a brain-based disorder that is characterized by developmental delays, difficulty with social skills, communication problems, and more. Approximately 1 in 59 children are affected by autism, but some people with high-functioning ASD may not get diagnosed. Instead, these individuals may spend a lifetime feeling like they don’t fit in. Behavioral problems that involve ongoing aggression, defiance, or temper control problems can interfere with the ability to learn. ADD/ADHD is a brain disorder that causes symptoms—such as short attention span, difficulty with focus, distractibility, and procrastination—that impair learning. ADD/ADHD affects over 6 million children ages 3-17 and an estimated 4.4% of adults. Traumatic brain injuries are not considered a learning disorder, however, they can have lasting negative impacts on learning. Brain SPECT imaging shows that mild head injuries are associated with trouble concentrating, memory problems, brain fog, and other issues that disrupt the learning process.

THE LINK BETWEEN LEARNING DISORDERS AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

Anything that interferes with the learning process and impairs academic performance can increase the likelihood of emotional problems and mental health issues, including:

Anxiety

Close to 24% of youngsters with a specific learning disorder experience severe anxiety, according to research in the Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Worries about taking tests or being nervous about looking unintelligent in front of classmates can become overwhelming. These feelings can last into adulthood where you may continue to get anxious at work or when going for a job interview. This type of anxiousness can hold you back from reaching your potential and achieving what you want in life.

Depression

A 2016 study reveals that over 14% of children and adolescents with specific learning disorders suffer from severe depression. Not being able to get good grades despite studying hard can make you feel like a failure. And when extra help doesn’t improve the situation, it can leave you feeling hopeless and helpless. On top of that, making friends can be more challenging, and people with learning disabilities may withdraw voluntarily from social activities or be left out. Either way, social isolation combined with feelings of being unworthy are a recipe for depression.

Chronic Stress

For people who grow up with learning disorders, stress can be a constant companion. Research in the Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that nearly 17% of youngsters with specific learning disorders suffer from severe stress and 75% have low levels of resilience. Relentless stress exacerbates learning problems as it impairs the ability to focus and can disrupt the memory formation process.

Substance Abuse

Having learning disabilities puts you at increased risk of substance abuse. It’s easy to understand why this might happen. Living with a sense of inadequacy or struggling with anxiety or depression related to learning problems may prompt some individuals to use drugs or alcohol to cope with these emotions. Such behavior makes learning even more challenging. If substance abuse begins at an early age, it can have a negative impact on brain development, which further complicates issues in adulthood. Researchers writing in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine suggest that “children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities should be screened for substance abuse.”

Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

For individuals with learning disorders, depression and low self-esteem can spiral into suicidal ideation. A 2017 Canadian study found that adults with a learning disability were 46% more likely to attempt suicide compared with people without learning disorders. Because learning disorders can cause a lifetime of mental health struggles in addition to suicidal behaviors, it is critical to screen children early. And as an adult, if you suspect that a learning disability may be an underlying cause that is holding you back from reaching your goals and living the life you want, it’s time to see a mental health professional. Considering how often undetected head injuries are involved in these issues, looking at how your brain functions with SPECT imaging can also help provide the answers you want. Learning disorders and the mental health issues that come with them can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.