HISTORICAL CLUES TO THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE DYSFUNCTIONAL CHILD AND OTHER PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS IN CHILDREN

This article focuses on selected historical clues that can help the bu sy pediatrician identify children who are at risk for or already suffe ring from psychosocial dysfunction. Certain historical elements have b een chosen because they reveal either common areas of childhood dysfun ction or potentially dire outcomes. The major functional realms of a c hild's life are covered, such as family, school, peer relationships, a ctivities, and emotions, as well as related topics such as injury, pov erty, substance abuse, and risk-taking behavior. Questions designed to elicit the relevant historical clues are suggested. Used as a set, th ese questions are intended to bring to light sufficient psychosocial h istory for pediatricians to identify most dysfunctional children.