Warning Signs

Parents, guardians and/or loved ones often struggle with deciding what is normal behavior and when it’s time to ask for professional help for their child/youth. Is she/he/they exhibiting normal worry or has she/he/they crossed into depression? What are typical childhood fears vs. an anxiety disorder? Do most children or youth have angry outbursts like this? Is it normal? My child is acting out after a death in the family. What do we do? It can be a challenge to figure out if this is just a phase, or if your child/youth is crying out for help.

Warning Signs To Look for at Home:

1. Acting out at home (angry outbursts, kicking, hitting,obsessing about thoughts for hours)

2. Sudden increase or decrease in appetite.

3. Episodes of sadness, crying, or depression

4. Extreme mood swings

5. Age regressive behaviours (decreased independence, disrupted learning, and/or behaviour disruption)

6. Abuse, neglect or other traumatic events

7. Divorce, death in the family, a big move, or any other significant change

8. Increase in physical complaints (headaches, stomachaches, etc.)

Warning Signs To Look for at School:

1. Behavioural -acting out at school (angry outbursts, biting, hitting, getting into fights)

2. Bullying (victim of bullying or bullying other children)

3. Decline in grades

4. Decreased interest in school, friends, family, or activities he/she previously enjoyed

5. Social withdrawal or isolation