Quiz: Is your friend out of control?

See how she scores:

0 to 5 points: Low risk
Dial the Britney-Style-Freakout-Alert level down to "Low-risk" for your friend. She may be a bit quirkier than usual, but it's unlikely she's planning anything crazy aside from regular six-week appointments to maintain her new super-high-maintenance hairstyle.

6 to 15 points: Marching to the beat of a different drummer
Is she suffering from a midlife crisis? Is her obnoxious new guy throwing her equilibrium off? (And no, you can't pay him to get lost! Be there for her, and say good riddance once she comes to her senses and kicks him to the curb.) For whatever reason, she's marching to the beat of a different drummer and maybe taking some risks she hadn't before. For now, think positively about these changes as long as they aren't self-destructive (and ultimately, a bad haircut or one day of playing hooky from work aren't that bad), and embrace the new her. But, absolutely, feel free to take some pictures of her haircut to flash later.

16 points and up: Uh oh
Watch her closely, and if she seems about to do something crazy like sell all her possessions (or sign the deed of her house over to her guy or religious order or what-have-you), get ready to step in and shake some sense into her. If she's spending way too much money -- not on one haircut, but on a new lifestyle she can't possibly maintain (designer clothes on a retail clerk's wages or on credit, gambling, a plastic surgery habit, supporting a loafish guy), that's one red flag that something's wrong. Another is if she develops an obsession with a diet or religious cult. Sit down and have a frank talk. Tell her you're concerned and you're there for her. And that you're removing the duct tape, balloons and laxatives from her luggage.

Remember, this quiz is just for fun! Joking aside, if you're concerned about the mental health of someone you care about, visit the Canadian Mental Health Association's website for info and resources.

If your best friend is in trouble it's important to help her out. Read about the top 10 reasons you need a best friend in your life.

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