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 busy pediatrician identify children who are at risk for or already suffering from psychosocial dysfunction. Certain historical elements have been chosen because they reveal either common areas of childhood dysfunction or potentially dire outcomes. The major function realms of a child's life are covered, such as family, school, peer relationships, activities, and emotions, as well as related topics such as injury, poverty, substance abuse, and risk-taking behavior. Questions designed to elicit the relevant historical clues are suggested. Used as a set, these questions are intended to bring to light sufficient psychosocial history for pediatricians to identify most dysfunctional children.