Although not an extensive checklist, if your child is suffering from five or more of the following symptoms for a sustained period, it may be time to seek help.

- Loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy

- Short concentration span

- Lack of energy

- Becoming clingy

- Prolonged sadness or unhappiness

- Complains about ailments that don't seem to have a cause

- Disruption in sleep pattern

- Drop in school performance and bad behaviour in class

- Major changes in appetite and weight

- Withdrawn, angry, nervous, irritable or sulky

- Low self esteem, is negative about life and thinks nobody likes them

- Is physically agitated

- Contemplating suicide or is self-harming