Changes in behavior and differences in your child’s relationships can be signals of a deeper issue or clues that your child may be in trouble.

Be alert to these early warning signs:

• Irritability, withdrawal, anger, passive-aggressiveness
• Stress, anxiety
• Impulse control issues, yelling
• Boredom, apathy, detachment
• Lowered frustration tolerance, snappiness
• Depression, dark moods
• Change in energy level
• Loss of interest in favorite activities, siblings, school, sports, friends
• Sleep disturbances, sleeping more, also insomnia
• Weight fluctuations - marked gain or loss
• School related problems, slipping grades, bullying
• Changes in mental status, loss of concentration, attention, focus
• Lying, stealing, cheating
• Alcohol, tobacco or drug use

If your son or daughter is exhibiting any of these warning signs, give more attention to your child and the situation and work with them to ascertain the problem. Lend support in problem solving and follow up to check on progress. If these changes persist for more than several weeks it’s time to seek help.

Richard B. Cohen LMFT, CCBT, CDVC