Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0

Parents are usually the first to recognize that their child has a problem with emotions or behavior. Parents' growing concerns combined with the observations of others, such as teachers and family members, may result in the realization that a child can benefit from evaluation and treatment. The following are a few signs that may indicate that a psychiatric evaluation may be useful:

• Younger Children
  • marked decline 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
  • disobedience or aggression that lasts longer than 6 months and provocative opposition to authority figures
  • frequent, unexplainable temper tantrums.
• Preadolescents and Adolescents
  • marked change in school performance
  • abuse of alcohol or drugs
  • inability to cope with problems and daily activities
  • marked changes in sleeping or eating habits
  • many complaints of physical ailments
  • aggressive or nonaggressive 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.