Signs and Symptoms that a Person May Need to Seek the Help of a Mental Health Professional

[RCCAtl]

 

You can download and print this list out here Signs and Symptoms

 

In adults:

• Confused thinking
• Prolonged depression (sadness or irritability)
• Feelings of extreme highs and lows
• Excessive fears, worries and anxieties
• Social withdrawal
• Inappropriate expression of feelings
• Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
• Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Strong feelings of anger, rage
• Delusions or hallucinations
• Growing inability to cope with daily problems and activities
• Suicidal thoughts
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Denial of obvious problems
• Numerous unexplained physical ailments
• Abuse of drugs or alcohol
• Unusual sensitivity to light or clothing
• Rapid weight loss

Some Warning Signs of Suicide Include:

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself
• Seeking access to means to hurt or kill oneself
• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
• Feeling hopeless
• Acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Withdrawing from family, friends, or society
• Appearing agitated or angry
• Having a dramatic change in mood

In older children and pre-adolescents:

• Substance abuse
• Inability to cope with problems and daily activities
• Changes 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