Intervention Guide for mental, neurological and substance use disorders

COMMON PRESENTATION

O Low energy; fatigue; sleep or appetite problems
O Persistent sad or anxious mood; irritability
O Low interest or pleasure in activities that used to be interesting or enjoyable
O Multiple symptoms with no clear physical cause (e.g. aches and pains, palpitations, numbness)
O Difficulties in carrying out usual work, school, domestic or social activities
O Abnormal or disorganized behaviour (e.g. incoherent or irrelevant speech, unusual appearance,  self-neglect, unkempt appearance)
O Delusions (a false firmly held belief or suspicion)
O Hallucinations (hearing voices or seeing things that are not there)
O Neglecting usual responsibilities related to work, school, domestic or social activities
O Manic symptoms (several days of being abnormally happy, too energetic, too talkative, very  irritable, not sleeping, reckless behaviour)
O Convulsive movement or fits / seizures
O During the convulsion:  – loss of consciousness or impaired consciousness  – stiffness, rigidity  – tongue bite, injury, incontinence of urine or faeces
O After the convulsion: fatigue, drowsiness, sleepiness, confusion, abnormal behaviour,  headache, muscle aches, or weakness on one side of the body
O Delayed development: much slower learning than other children of same age in activities  such as: smiling, sitting, standing, walking, talking / communicating and other areas of  development, such as reading and writing
O Abnormalities in communication; restricted, repetitive behaviour
O Difficulties in carrying out everyday activities normal for that age

Children and adolescents

O Excessive inattention and absent-mindedness, repeatedly stopping tasks before completion  and switching to other activities
O Excessive over-activity: excessive running around, extreme difficulties remaining seated,  excessive talking or fidgeting
O Excessive impulsivity: frequently doing things without forethought
O Repeated and continued behaviour that disturbs others (e.g. unusually frequent and severe  temper tantrums, cruel behaviour, persistent and severe disobedience, stealing)
O Sudden changes in behaviour or peer relations, including withdrawal and anger
O Decline or problems with memory (severe forgetfulness) and  orientation (awareness of time, place and person)
O Mood or behavioural problems such as apathy (appearing uninterested) or irritability
O Loss of emotional control – easily upset, irritable or tearful O D ifficulties in carrying out usual work, domestic or social activities
O Appearing to be under the influence of alcohol (e.g. smell of alcohol, looks intoxicated, hangover) O Presenting with an injury
O Somatic symptoms associated with alcohol use (e.g. insomnia, fatigue, anorexia, nausea,  vomiting, indigestion, diarrhoea, headaches)
O Difficulties in carrying out usual work, school, domestic or social activities
O Appearing drug-affected (e.g. low energy, agitated, fidgeting, slurred speech)
O Signs of drug use (injection marks, skin infection, unkempt appearance)
O Requesting prescriptions for sedative medication (sleeping tablets, opioids)
O Financial difficulties or crime-related legal problems
O Difficulties in carrying out usual work, domestic or social activities
O Current thoughts, plan or act of self-harm or suicide
O History of thoughts, plan or act of self-harm or suicide