Signs of trouble

So, how do you know if what you (or a friend) are going though is something that you should be concerned about? Here are some of the most common signs that there may be something serious going on.

Keep in mind that these symptoms are very general and could be signs of many different things, including just being a normal teenager. It is important, though, to be on the alert for such changes in thoughts, feelings, perceptions and behaviour especially when they last for a while, or keep coming back.

Pay special attention if..........

You are feeling:

really sad and hopeless without good reason and the feelings don't go away

very angry most of the time, cry a lot, or overreact to things

worthless or guilty a lot

anxious or worried a lot more than other teens

unable to get over a loss or death of someone important

extremely fearful, or like you have unexplained fears or more fears than most teens

constantly concerned about physical problems or physical appearance

like you’re detached from your life, disconnected from things and people around you

like nothing matters to you anymore

paranoid and suspicious of other people

like your mind is being controlled or is out of control.

You notice big changes in the way you get along; for example you:

do much worse in school

lose interest in things you usually like doing

have weird changes in sleeping or eating patterns

avoid friends or family and want to be alone all the time

daydream so much you can't get things done

lose your motivation and energy
(or sometimes the opposite – if you feel like you’ve got way too much energy)

feel as if you can't handle life or consider suicide

hear voices talking to you or about you that you can’t explain

You find yourself repeatedly frustrated by:

not being able to concentrate, think straight or make up your mind.

not being able to sit still or focus your attention.

worrying a lot about being harmed, hurting others, or about doing something "bad."

feeling like you have to wash, clean things, or perform certain routines hundreds of time a day in order to avoid danger.

You start behaving in other ways that cause you problems, for example:

using alcohol or other drugs.

eating large amounts of food and then making yourself vomit or abuse laxatives.

continuing to diet and/or exercise obsessively although you’re already thin.

repeatedly violating the rights of others or breaking the law without regard for other people.

doing things that can be life threatening.

Unfortunately, the person who’s going through these symptoms may not realize what's happening to them, or even that they're ill at all. This can be confusing and frustrating for those around them who are concerned and wish to help but do not understand what is happening.

Because the symptoms of mental illness can come and go, and can be confused with other things, like normal teenage behaviour, it can take some time to figure out what’s really going on.