Preschool-Aged Children Can Experience Early Signs Of Depression: Study

We’ve heard so much about depression in adults and teens. But new research shows even young, preschool-aged children can experience early signs of depression.

Preschooler depression is much more than just being a “quirky” or “shy” child. Children as young as 3 years old show early, age-adjusted signs of clinical depression, says Joan Luby, M.D., professor of child psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and director of the Early Emotional Development Program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Adolescent Depression - Causes - Affects - Depressed Teens - Treatment - FAQs
Adolescent depression is an ailment that occurs during the teenage characterized by persistent melancholy, disappointment and loss of self-esteem.

Here are some signs that your preschooler could be depressed.

He/she:

Does not seem to enjoy play
Is often irritable or sad, whines/cries a lot
Sticks to him(her)self
Takes on excessive guilt
Plays with an emphasis on sad/death themes
Has had changes in appetite
Seems tired and lacks energy
Has minimal reaction to joyful events compared to peers

While clinical depression is not common in preschool children, it is important that parents of preschoolers be tuned in to any abnormality or change in a child’s behavior especially among young children who come from families with a history of depression, Luby says.

Depression Screening Test
Online Depression Screening Test tells if you have mild or chronic depression based on your depression symptoms. Learn how to deal with depression by using this self-assessment calculator.

“The best way to confirm if your child exhibits clinical signs of depression is to consult a mental health professional.” Luby says. “The sooner a toddler’s depression is detected and diagnosed, the sooner the child can begin treatment and learn to manage depression into his/her adolescence and adulthood.”

While medication has become more widely accepted in treating adult depression, Luby says many parents she speaks with are hesitant to consider medication for treating depressed children.

Depression Calculator
A quick, simple and anonymous self-assessment health tool to assess the level of depression using the famous Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale.

“For preschoolers the first line of treatment would be a developmental/therapeutic one,” she says. “I recommend parents consider parent-child interaction therapy-emotion development (PCIT-ED), a therapy that involves the child and parent or caregiver. It’s medication-free and helps both the child and parent better understand ways to cope with their feelings or depression and to become more emotionally competent in general.”

Source-Newswise
SRM

Stress and Depression Could Worsen Childhood Asthma
Stress and depression could worsen childhood asthma, according to a new study.