Does My Teenager Need Counseling Quiz
Questions: 15 · 10 minutes
1. Has your teenager recently seemed severely confused or disconnected from shared reality?
There was one brief episode of unusual confusion, but they quickly returned to their usual awareness.
They are currently severely confused, intensely agitated, unable to recognize what is happening, or unable to maintain basic safety.
No such change has been observed or disclosed.
They repeatedly report perceptions or fixed beliefs others do not share, and this is disrupting daily life.
2. When your teenager faces a setback, such as a disappointing grade or social rejection, what is most typical now?
They need longer than before to recover and may withdraw for the rest of the day.
They become distressed for days, with repeated self-criticism or difficulty returning to routines.
They recover in their familiar way, even if they need some support.
They become overwhelmed, unable to resume basic activities, or express profound worthlessness.
3. What is the clearest recent indicator concerning deliberate self-injury without a stated wish to die?
They have described thoughts about self-injury but no current urge, preparation, or act.
They have not disclosed thoughts, urges, preparations, or acts of self-injury.
They report a current urge or have taken preparatory steps, but no injury has occurred.
Any deliberate self-injury has occurred, or an injury needs medical attention now.
4. What has your teenager communicated about wanting counseling or outside support?
They have not requested it and currently engage with available support, though I know this does not rule out a need.
They have mentioned counseling once or shown some curiosity about speaking with someone.
They have repeatedly said they want professional help or cannot manage this alone.
They are urgently asking for help because they feel unable to cope or function.
5. When worry shows up, what tends to happen next?
They repeatedly avoid important situations or become so distressed that they cannot settle.
They need somewhat more reassurance than usual but can continue with the situation.
They use familiar coping methods and the worry remains manageable.
Worry regularly disrupts plans, concentration, sleep, or participation.
6. Which description best fits recent alcohol, drug, or medication-related concern?
There is no observed or disclosed misuse, impairment, or unsafe substance-related behavior.
There has been an isolated use concern without current impairment or a major consequence.
Use is recurring or has begun disrupting responsibilities, relationships, judgment, or health.
They are currently severely intoxicated, may have overdosed, are difficult to wake, have been injured, or may drive while impaired.
7. What have you observed around eating, hygiene, and other basic self-care?
There are occasional lapses, but they resume self-care with a reminder or after a busy day.
They are consistently maintaining their usual basic self-care.
Basic care has deteriorated sharply, or they are regularly unable or unwilling to eat, wash, or change clothes.
Several routines have noticeably declined and require repeated prompting.
8. After an ordinary disagreement at home, how does your teenager typically respond?
They may remain upset for a while, but repair is usually possible with extra space or support.
They have repeated, prolonged outbursts or withdrawal that substantially disrupts the household.
Their reaction is extremely agitated, dangerously impulsive, or markedly disconnected from what is happening.
Their reaction is broadly consistent with their usual way of handling conflict.
9. Which description best matches your teenager’s recent sleep pattern?
Sleep timing varies somewhat, but they generally function the next day.
Sleep problems repeatedly leave them exhausted, late, absent, or unable to concentrate.
Their sleep pattern is familiar for them and does not appear to impair daytime functioning.
They are barely sleeping or sleeping through most of the day, with major disruption to basic functioning.
10. During the past month, what has happened with school, training, or other regular responsibilities?
They have missed or abandoned major responsibilities and seem unable to re-engage.
Performance and participation are broadly consistent with their usual pattern.
They have had a small dip or needed occasional reminders but remain involved.
There is a repeated decline in attendance, completed work, concentration, or performance.
11. What change have you noticed in activities your teenager previously enjoyed?
Their interests have shifted, but they remain engaged in other meaningful activities.
They still show roughly their usual level of interest and enjoyment.
They have stopped nearly all enjoyable activities and describe feeling empty or unable to care.
They often decline favorite activities and participate much less than before.
12. In the past two weeks or right now, what has your teenager communicated about death or suicide?
They have made passive comments such as wishing they could disappear, without disclosing intent or a plan.
They have disclosed recurring suicidal thoughts but no current plan, preparation, or intent.
They have not disclosed or shown signs of suicidal thinking during this period.
They have current intent, a plan, access to a method, preparations, or a recent suicide attempt.
13. Over the past month, how has your teenager’s sadness or irritability compared with their usual pattern?
It has stayed within their familiar range and passes without a sustained change.
It appears occasionally, and they generally recover with ordinary time or support.
It recurs across several days and noticeably affects conversations or activities.
It is intense or persistent most days, or includes statements that nothing will improve.
14. How has your teenager’s connection with friends, family, or other supportive people changed?
They have withdrawn from nearly everyone or appear to have no reachable source of support.
They seek more alone time but still maintain meaningful contact.
Their level of connection is generally typical for them.
They repeatedly avoid people they usually trust and have lost important sources of connection.
15. Which best describes recent concern that your teenager might seriously harm another person?
They have made a specific threat, assaulted someone, obtained a weapon for that purpose, or appear ready to act.
There has been no hostile escalation, expressed fear of losing control, threat, or violent act.
Hostile or aggressive talk has increased, but there is no specific threat, target, or stated loss of control.
They say they fear losing control or have recurring violent thoughts, without a specific plan or act.