These resources are general reference guides for parents or guardians to read through and assess if therapy for their child may be needed. To be connected with a counselor at The Bridge Youth & Family Services, call (847) 359-7490.

General signs of distress:

• Frequent displays of temper
• Withdrawal from usual activities
• Significant change in grades, attitude, hygiene, functioning, sleeping, and/or eating habits
• Delinquency
• Excessive fighting and/or aggression (physical/verbal)
• Inability to cope with day to day activities
• Lots of somatic complaints
• Sexual promiscuity
• Suicidal and/or homicidal ideation
• Self-harm

Anxiety red flags:

• Demonstrates excessive distress out of proportion to the situation: crying physical symptoms, sadness, anger, frustration, hopelessness, embarrassment
• Easily distressed or agitated when in a stressful situation
• Repetitive reassurance questions, “what if” concerns, inconsolable, won’t respond to logical arguments
• Headaches, stomach aches, regularly too sick to go to school
• Anticipatory anxiety–worrying hours, days, weeks ahead
• Disruptions of sleep
• Perfectionism/self-critical
• Overly responsible, people pleasing, excessive concern that others are upset with them, unnecessary apologizing
• Demonstrating excessive avoidance, refuses to participate in expected activities, refusal to attend school
• Disruption of child or family functioning
• Excessive time spent consoling child about distress with ordinary situations

Depression red flags:

• Negative thinking — “I can’t, I won’t”
• Social withdrawal
• Irritability
• Poor school performance
• Lack of interest in peer activities
• Somatic complaints (muscle aches or lack of energy)
• Reports of feeling helpless a lot of the time
• Lowering their confidence-level about intelligence, friencs, future, body, etc.
• Getting into trouble because of boredom
• Declining school performance

Ways to provide support to your child:

• Show affection
• Take time to talk
• Be involved
• Encourage autonomy
• Establish clear rules
• Encourage and model healthy habits (diet, exercise, sleep, communication)
• Support them in managing stress