The following list contains some signs that may indicate that your child may have an emotional, behavioral or mental health problem that needs professional attention:
- Ongoing behavior problems at daycare, school, home or in the community
- Hyperactivity or constant movement beyond regular playing
- Frequent, unexplainable temper tantrums
- Unusual fears or worries
- Difficulty taking part in activities that are normal for your child’s age
- Difficulties with concentration, attention, or organization
- Withdrawal from friends or activities they used to enjoy
- Strange or unusual thoughts, beliefs, feelings or behaviors
- Getting ‘stuck’ on certain thoughts, activities or actions
- Ongoing lack of energy even when rested
- Difficulty in going to sleep, staying asleep, or waking up
- Sudden outbursts or explosive emotional reactions
- Prolonged negative mood and attitude
- Frequent physical complaints with no apparent cause
- Inability to cope with problems
- Inappropriate or unusual reactions to others
- Sad and hopeless feelings without good reason, that don’t go away
- Avoiding friends or family and wanting to be alone all of the time
- Persistent nightmares
- Seeing or hearing things that are not real
- Significant changes in behavior over a short period of time
- Eating problems including eating too much or too little
- Violence towards oneself, others, animals or property
- Refusal to go to school on a regular basis
- Ongoing decline in school performance
- Deliberate disobedience or aggression
- Inability to complete tasks on an ongoing basis
- Opposition to authority figures and little or no remorse for breaking rules
- Extreme perfectionism
- Cutting or other self injury
- Inability to make decisions
- Extreme mood swings with no apparent cause
- Speaking so rapidly that they are difficult to understand or interrupt
- Unable to get along with others in most situations
- Worries about everything, even minor things on an ongoing basis
- Becomes easily bored or angered
- Isolation, loneliness, and a lack of friends
- Risky or dangerous behavior including: sexually acting out, recklessness, running away, setting fires
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- Abuse of alcohol, and/or drugs or heavy tobacco use
- Frequent outbursts of anger or inability to cope with problems
- Obsession with weight, constant dieting, purging food or vomiting
- Self-injury, talk of suicide or actual violence. **Important! If your child talks of suicide, or hurts themselves or others intentionally, get immediate assistance and do not leave your child alone! If necessary, take your child to an emergency room for a psychiatric assessment, or call the police for assistance if you are afraid to try to transport your child.
This list is not exclusive, and sometimes the symptoms on this list can be brought on by major changes in a child’s life including illness, death or divorce in the family, a change of school or a move to a new city or neighborhood, or a new baby at home. At other times, these symptoms may have no apparent cause at all.
As parents ourselves, we understand that it is sometimes hard to be sure if your child actually needs help and sometimes even harder to accept that your child may have an emotional, behavioral or mental health problem. These thoughts can sometimes keep us from seeking out the help our children need. One important thing to keep in mind is that mental health disorders are treatable and when young people are connected to the right treatment, services and supports they can go on and live happy and successful lives while managing their mental health symptoms. So trust your instincts and seek help if you think your child may need it! If you are still unsure and would like to chat about your concerns pick up the phone and give us a call today!
FAQs
Signs & Symptoms
Sleep or appetite changes — Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or decline in personal care. Mood changes — Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions or depressed feelings, greater irritability. Withdrawal — Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
What are the red flags of mental health? ›
Signs & Symptoms
Sleep or appetite changes — Dramatic sleep and appetite changes or decline in personal care. Mood changes — Rapid or dramatic shifts in emotions or depressed feelings, greater irritability. Withdrawal — Recent social withdrawal and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed.
Do I have a mental illness or am I overreacting? ›
Without additional symptoms, going through bouts of sadness, anger, or anxiety, is not necessarily a sign of mental illness. However, these moods should lessen over time. The rule of thumb when it comes to assessing concern of is if changes persist for longer than two weeks.
Is mental health a red flag in dating? ›
A condition in and of itself is not a reason to break up with somebody. Although, it might be time to be concerned about your relationship, when mental illness symptoms are getting in the way of your day-to-day life, or your safety is being compromised.
What is considered a red flag? ›
“In relationships, red flags are signs that the person probably can't have a healthy relationship and proceeding down the road together would be emotionally dangerous,” explains Dr. Wendy Walsh, PhD, a clinical psychologist who specializes in relationships. Note that red flags in a relationship might not be obvious.
What are the red flag symptoms of depression? ›
Changes in mood; irritability. Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. Low energy; persistent fatigue. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it may be time to reach out for help.
What are 2 signs that someone may be in a mental crisis? ›
These signs require attention right away:
- Attempts or threats to harm or kill.
- Delusions or hallucinations.
- Extreme withdrawal.
- Not sleeping or eating for many days.
- Verbal or physical abuse.
Six Diseases Often Mistaken for Mental Disorders
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. ...
- Lyme Disease. ...
- Thyroid Disorder. ...
- Syphilis. ...
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea. ...
- Neuroendocrine Tumors.
Not only is BPD one of the most painful mental illnesses, but it's also intensified by stigma and being misunderstood by others. Fortunately, borderline personality disorder is a treatable condition, and the pain doesn't have to be endless.
What are the five signs of emotional suffering? ›
The Five Signs encouraged people to ask if they or their loved ones were not feeling themselves, feeling withdrawn, feeling agitated, feeling hopeless or not caring for themselves. A longtime mental health advocate, Broderick discovered the program and introduced it to New Hampshire.
Key points. Red flags in therapy include violations of confidentiality, boundaries, and licensure, among others. Therapy can be ineffective when the therapist is unable to communicate or lacks the training to treat a patient's specific problem. Patients can raise concerns with their therapist directly.
Is it worth dating someone with mental health issues? ›
Dating someone with a mental illness is more challenging at times, but if you can help your partner manage their symptoms, it can go a long way. Find ways to help your partner maintain stability with a daily routine. This type of healthy, regular schedule may help ward off anxiety attacks or feelings of depression.
How to tell if someone is unstable? ›
Signs and symptoms of EUPD
- Impulsivity.
- Mood swings.
- An overwhelming fear of abandonment.
- Extreme anxiety and irritability.
- Anger.
- Paranoia and being suspicious of other people.
- Feeling empty, hopeless and worthless.
- Suicidal thoughts.
Examples of red-flag symptoms in the older adult include but are not limited to pain following a fall or other trauma, fever, sudden unexplained weight loss, acute onset of severe pain, new-onset weakness or sensory loss, loss of bowel or bladder function, jaw claudication, new headaches, bone pain in a patient with a ...
What is the biggest red flag in a guy? ›
25 biggest red flags in a guy
- Jealousy. ...
- Gaslighting. ...
- Communication kibosh. ...
- All his exes are “craaazy” ...
- Double standards. ...
- Your wins are his losses. ...
- He's always the victim. ...
- Energy vampire. Do you feel exhausted after spending time with him?
Lack of Communication
Communication is essential for healthy relationships. Open dialogue helps us understand each other, share thoughts and feelings, and build strong connections. Silence, evasion, or lack of communication can indicate underlying issues that need addressing.
What are four signs that someone might be suffering from mental health issues? ›
Examples of signs and symptoms include:
- Feeling sad or down.
- Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate.
- Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt.
- Extreme mood changes of highs and lows.
- Withdrawal from friends and activities.
- Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping.
Mental health problems are common, so it's important to be aware of possible signs. Feeling worried, depressed, guilty, worthless or feeling an exaggerated sense of 'high' may be signs of a mental health issue. Changes in sleep, weight, personal hygiene or activity at school or work may hint at a mental health issue.
What is the warning of mental illness? ›
Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy. Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite. Changes in sex drive. Difficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don't exist in objective reality)
