Parents are usually the first to recognize that their child has a problem with emotions or behavior. Parents’ growing concerns, and observations of outside resources such as teachers and family combine to form a process of coming to the realization that a child can benefit from treatment. Parents may also consult with the child and adolescent psychiatrist or other professionals about ways to help their youngster at home.

Following are a few signs which may indicate that a child and adolescent psychiatric evaluation will be useful.

YOUNGER CHILDREN

• Marked fall in school performance.
• Poor grades in school despite trying very hard.
• A lot of worry or anxiety, as shown by regular refusal to go to school, go to sleep or take part in activities that are normal for the child’s age.
• Hyperactivity; fidgeting; constant movement beyond regular playing.
• Persistent nightmares.
• Persistent disobedience or aggression (longer than 6 months) and provocative opposition to authority figures.
• Frequent, unexplainable temper tantrums.

PRE-ADOLESCENTS AND ADOLESCENTS

• Marked change in school performance.
• Abuse of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Inability to cope with problems and daily activities.
• Marked changes in sleeping and/or eating habits.
• Many complaints of physical ailments.
• Aggressive or non-aggressive consistent violation of rights of others; opposition to authority, truancy, thefts, vandalism.
• Intense fear of becoming obese with no relationship to actual body weight.
• Depression shown by sustained, prolonged negative mood and attitude, often accompanied by poor appetite, difficulty sleeping or thoughts of death.
• Frequent outbursts of anger.