How would I know if my child has a mental illness? These are 12 questions every parent should ask.
12 Questions Every Parent Should Ask
Does my child...
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1.
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Often seem sad, tired, restless, or out of sorts?
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2.
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Spend a lot of time alone?
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3.
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Have low
self-esteem? |
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4.
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Have trouble
getting along with family, friends, and peers? |
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5.
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Have frequent outbursts of shouting,
complaining, or crying?
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6.
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Have trouble
performing or behaving in school? |
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7.
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Show sudden changes
in eating patterns? |
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8.
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Sleep too much or
not enough? |
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9.
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Have trouble paying
attention or concentrating on tasks like
homework? |
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10.
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Seem to have lost
interest in hobbies like music or sports? |
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11.
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Show signs of using
drugs and/or alcohol? |
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12.
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Talk about death or
suicide? |
If you answered yes to 4 or more of these questions, and these behaviors last longer than 2 weeks, you should seek
professional help for your child.
Go to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division
for information on how to seek help.
Source of questionnaire:
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/fastfact1/default.asp
