Changes in character
Irritable; e.g., snapping at people for no apparent reason
Physically aggressive or verbally aggressive
Abandoning favourite hobbies or sports
Passive TV watching
Risk-taking; e.g., dangerous driving
Misuse of drugs and alcohol.
Changes in school behaviours (including training courses and work
settings)
Frequent absences from school through 'wagging' & Gets poorer
grades for assignments than formerly
Complains of being bored. Becomes disruptive in class
Loses interest in activities which once were fun
Finds it harder to stay on task. Loses concentration
Mentally confused. Finds decisions difficult to make
Cannot remember commitments: doesn't turn up to appointments
Has difficulty staying still or conversely, is lethargic
Projects personal difficulties on to others; e.g., bullying
Sets self up for rejection by peers and/or teachers. Takes on the
victim role
Changes in relationship to family and friends
Stops going out with friends; shows no interest in group
outings
Increase or decrease in sexual activity
May start associating with a different peer group
Expresses negativity about family
More than normal conflicts with parents and siblings
Changes eating and sleeping habits
Changes in feeling, thinking and perceiving
Expresses inappropriate guilt
Feelings of not being good enough, worthlessness, failure
Expressions of hopelessness: nothing to look forward to
Speaks in a monotonous or monosyllabic manner
Preoccupied with self; withdrawn, shows inner distraction
Cries easily, looks sad, feels alone or isolated
Fears about having to be perfect. Fearful of doing something
bad
Incidents of self-injury. Ideas of killing self
