Mental Illness in Children

Mental Illness in the Family ... Recognizing the Warning Signs 

In older children and pre-adolescents:

  • substance abuse
  • inability to cope with problems and daily activities
  • change in sleeping and/or eating habits
  • excessive complaints of physical ailments
  • defiance of authority, truancy, theft, and/or vandalism
  • intense fear of weight gain
  • prolonged negative mood, often accompanied by poor appetite or thoughts of death
  • frequent outbursts of anger

In younger children:

  • changes in school performance
  • poor grades despite strong efforts
  • excessive worry or anxiety (i.e. refusing to go to bed or school)
  • hyperactivity
  • persistent nightmares
  • persistent disobedience or aggression
  • frequent temper tantrums

Natchaug Hospital