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Although the age of onset for some mental illnesses is in later adolescence or adulthood, many children also suffer from one form or another of mental illness.  The following are signs that your child may be experiencing the symptoms of a mental illness:

 

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

Change in school performance

Poor grades despite strong efforts

Excessive worry or anxiety (e.g., refusing to go to bed or school)

Hyperactivity

Persistent nightmares

Persistent disobedience or aggression, frequent temper tantrums