What are signs that my child might be experiencing mental health problems?The signs that your child is experiencing a mental health problem may vary. It depends on the type of mental health problem, but there are some general warning signs that you should be aware of. Contact your doctor if your teen experiences any of the following warning signsiii: - Feeling very sad or withdrawn for 2 weeks or more
- Seriously trying to harm or kill themselves, or making plans to do so
- Sudden overwhelming fear for no reason, sometimes with racing heart or fast breathing
- Involvement in many fights, using a weapon, or wanting to badly hurt others
- Severe out-of-control behavior that can hurt themselves or others
- Not eating, throwing up, or using laxatives to make themselves lose weight
- Intense worries or fears that get in the way of their daily activities
- Extreme difficulty in concentrating or staying still that puts them in danger or causes school failure
- Repeated use of drugs and alcohol
- Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Drastic changes in their behavior or personality
Last revised: March 27, 2009 | 
