Internalizing behaviors are actions that direct problematic energy toward the self. 1 In other words, a person who shows internalizing behaviors does things that harm himself as opposed to lashing out at others (which are known as externalizing behaviors).
What are internalizing behavior examples?
Typical Internalizing Behaviors
- Being nervous or irritable.
- Being withdrawn.
- Eating more or less than usual.
- Feeling afraid.
- Feeling lonely.
- Feeling sad.
- Feeling unloved or unwanted.
- Having concentration problems.
What are characteristics of internalizing behaviors?
Internalizing behaviors are characterized as behavior patterns directed inwardly towards oneself and include depression, social- withdrawal, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and selective mutism (Gresham & Kern, 2004; Morris, Shah, & Morris, 2002).
