July 2004

What signs or symptoms do most families experience when their youth is struggling that lead them to decide to seek help?

Most families start their journey when they notice a change in their child’s mood, attitude, and/or behavior. The change often seems significant because these moods, attitudes, and/or behavior usuallly culminate in the feeling that “something” has been wrong for awhile. These changes last over a period of time and stand out as different from what families expect normally from their child.    Here are some of the most common examples of the signs and symptoms that family members, other adults, and youth often use to describe the changes they see in a child or adolescent who is struggling:

Verbal/physical Aggressiveness – threats, screaming, pushing, kicking, and hitting others.

Academic Difficulties – missing many classes, sent out of the classroom, not turning in assignments, or being very distracted and not able to focus like others their own age.

Impulsivity – reacting quickly in ways that get them in trouble; choosing to act without thinking.

Hyperactivity – not being able to sit still, or not being able to wait for their turn; feeling fidgety most of the time; or always being on the go.

Depressed Mood – irritable, angry, sad, loss of energy, no excitement over activities that once made them happy, isolation, feeling like it isn’t worth going on.

Poor Social Skills – not getting along with others, not being able to keep friends over time, appears always quiet because he or she is scared to express what’s inside.

Substance Abuse – change in mood, attitude, energy, peers, clothes, and desire to be involved with the family

Frequent Disobedience – yelling, fighting, not listening, seeking attention in hurtful ways, opposing rules.

Resources:

The Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health Web site, http://www.ffcmh.org/.