It is important not to dismiss unexplained changes in mood, feelings or behaviors. 

The following information is offered as a guide to determine when professional mental health care should be considered:

In adults:

·         Confused thinking
·         Prolonged depression (sadness or irritability)
·         Feelings of extreme highs and lows
·         Excessive fears, worries and anxieties
·         Social withdrawal
·         Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
·         Strong feelings of anger
·         Delusions or hallucinations
·         Growing inability to cope with daily problems and activities
·         Suicidal thoughts
·         Denial of obvious problems
·         Numerous unexplained physical ailments
·         Substance abuse

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