WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS OF
mental illness in children?
W
arning signs that your child might have a mental
health condition include:
• Mood changes. Look for feelings of sadness or
withdrawal that last at least two weeks or severe
mood swings that cause problems in relationships at
home or school.
• Intense feelings. Be aware of feelings of
overwhelming fear for no reason — sometimes with
a racing heart or fast breathing — or worries or fears
intense enough to interfere with daily activities.
• Behavior changes. These include drastic changes
in behavior or personality, as well as dangerous or
out-of-control behavior. Fighting frequently, using
weapons and expressing a desire to badly hurt others
also are warning signs.
• Difficulty concentrating. Look for signs of trouble
focusing or sitting still, both of which might lead to
poor performance in school.
• Unexplained weight loss. A sudden loss of appetite,
frequent vomiting or use of laxatives might indicate
an eating disorder.
• Physical symptoms. Compared with adults, children
with a mental health condition might develop
headaches and stomachaches rather than sadness
or anxiety.
• Physical harm. Sometimes a mental health
condition leads to self-injury, also called self-harm.
This is the act of deliberately harming your own
body, such as cutting or burning yourself. Children
with a mental health condition also might develop
suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide.
• Substance abuse. Some kids use drugs or alcohol to
try to cope with their feelings.
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