You have noticed that your young child is eating less, not participating in family activities, crying at the slightest provocation, and refusing to sleep alone. If these manifestations affect your child’s physical health or disrupt their routines (can’t do homework or refuse to go to school), it is a major concern you should pay attention to. These can be signs that your young child is struggling with pediatric depression.

You may have always thought that depression was only experienced by teens and adults, but the truth is, childhood or pediatric depression is for real.

Science Doesn’t Lie

You are not alone in thinking that depression does not affect young children. According to Dr. David Fassler, WebMD’s child and adolescent psychiatrist, pediatric depression was considered a farfetched idea some decades ago. However, studies and statistics have shown otherwise.

A study undertaken by Luby et al. (2009) published in the Journal of Affective Disorders shows that depression can affect preschool children. In a PsychCentral post entitled “What Parents Need to Know about Childhood Depression,” Margarita Tartakovsky, MS, says that “kids as young as 3 years old can have depression.”

Fussy babies? Clinical psychologist and book author Deborah Serani, PsyD, says depression can even affect babies. This is confirmed by Dr. Jess Shatkin of New York University’s Child Study Center, who says that “babies can be depressed” and that “One in 40 Infants Experience Baby Blues” (ABC NEWS).

Spot Child Depression: Six Facts to Know

1. More children experience depression than you think.

Son and Kirchner (2000), authors of “Depression in Children and Adolescents” (American Family Physician), claim that major depressive disorder affects about 1 percent of preschool and 2 percent of school-aged children in the United States. The estimates of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) are even higher, at 1 in every 20 children or adolescents.

2. The chance of not spotting the signs is high.

Depression is not something you likely expect your child to experience, so it’s probably not on your radar. Also, the signs and symptoms of child depression can be different from those exhibited by adults. Since young children do not understand how they feel, they are likely to exhibit signs such as irritability, anger, social withdrawal, and other unusual symptoms.

3. Recognizing the signs is difficult when they are masked or mimicked by other conditions.

It is distressing, but your depressed child is also at risk for anxiety (OCD, phobia, generalized anxiety, etc.), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and learning disorders. If depression coexists with any of these conditions, the generally non-specific symptoms can overlap, making them harder to recognize. For instance, not eating or sleeping (or the opposites—overeating and oversleeping) can be signs of depression, in the same way that they can indicate anxiety or other emotional conditions, while constant irritability is a strong indicator of depression. This is why it is recommended to evaluate your depressed child for other emotional conditions.

4. Depression goes beyond sadness.

Depressed children may also manifest symptoms such as physical pains or aches. Feeling hopeless and helpless, they may indulge in negative self-talk. Preoccupied with negative thoughts, they may feel unloved, worthless, irresponsible, or stupid. All these thoughts and feelings can drive them to misbehave and be quarrelsome and defiant. Alternatively, overwhelmed with low self-esteem, they may avoid people, hiding in a secret place or their room.

5. Your child is more vulnerable if depression runs in the family.

If they have a genetic predisposition, your child’s risk of depression is higher. According to David Fassler, MD, of the University of Vermont, co-author of Help Me, I’m Sad: Recognizing, Treating and Preventing Childhood and Adolescent Depression, a child has a 25 percent risk if one parent is depressed and 75 percent if both parents have experienced clinical depression. Depression in the family, however, is not a destiny, as the genes’ expression can be modified by other factors in the environment and the child’s personality.

6. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial.

Untreated clinical depression can cause damage to your child’s brain, particularly the hippocampus. Its shrinking can result in difficulty controlling emotions, leading to more serious concerns. A child diagnosed and treated at 6 stands a better chance than at age 13, when the symptoms have already worsened.

Helping Your Child with the Right Professional Assistance

Any parent would be distressed to know that their child is experiencing depression at such a tender age. Feeling distressed is common, but you still need to find the courage to help your child. If you call Carolina Counseling Services – Pittsboro, NC, you will find that courage as you work with one of our independently contracted counselors. Remember that depression is treatable and you can help save your child from its clutches with the right help.

Don’t wait for your child’s depression to get worse. Timely diagnosis and treatment are key to bouncing back from depression sooner rather than later. Make that call now for your child’s first appointment.

Related Articles:

• Child Depression: The Journey Toward a Happy Childhood
• Is Your Teen at Risk for Depression?
• Teen Depression: Is It Undermining Your Child?