Activities
Activity 1
Please read the following real case scenario and try to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health difficulties.
Daniel is a five-year old boy who lives with his mother. He recently started to behave like he used to behave at much younger age – occasionally he would wet his bed during the night or have similar accidents during the day, he had a hard time falling asleep, so his mother had to return to his bedroom during the night, and he insisted that his mother feed him during meals. Going to kindergarten and separating from his mother also became a problem. The kindergarten teachers noticed he was more likely than usually to behave aggressively toward his peers – pushing them or taking away their toys and arguing.
Activity 2
Please read the following real case scenario and try to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health difficulties.
Claire is a 10-year-old girl who lives with her parents and two younger siblings. Recently her mother noticed that she is quieter than usual, and often appears to be sad or lacking will to engage in activities she previously enjoyed. She avoids going to dance classes, saying she feels tired and exhausted. Her friends call her less often than before and she rarely initiated to hang out with them herself. She seems most contempt while spending time alone in her room and listening to sad music. Her siblings say she often talks back to them and has somewhat violent outbursts. Her schoolteacher notices that she seems absent in spirit during class, as if she doesn’t follow the lectures. She often misses her deadlines for completing school tasks and had unfinished homework. On a few occasions she busted in tears for no particular reason during class.
Activity 3
Please indicate which of the following signs and symptoms can be classified as internalized or externalized.
Signs and symptoms | Internalized | Externalized |
Eating more or less than usual | ||
Feeling afraid | ||
Fighting and behaving aggressively | ||
Headaches or stomach aches | ||
Difficulties maintain friendships and peer rejection | ||
Fatigue/lack of energy | ||
Avoiding participation in social activities |
Activity 4
Please indicate which of the following signs and symptoms are more specific for younger or older children.
Signs and symptoms | Younger children | Older children |
Frequent absence from school | ||
Clinginess with teachers or caregivers | ||
Substance abuse | ||
Lower grades | ||
Going back to an earlier stage of development | ||
Bedwetting or other toileting issues | ||
Wanting to be carried or rocked |