Depression

All preschoolers get grumpy and fussy, but if it’s chronic, it may be a sign of depression.

A recent study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health found that children as young as 3 can actually suffer from this disorder that affects as many as 18 million adults – that’s one out of every 10 people you meet.

According to an Associated Press story this week, “ Depression found in kids as young as 3 ,” about 2 percent of preschoolers in the United States suffer from depression at one point or another.

Researchers found that depression was most common in kids whose moms were also depressed and those who have experienced a traumatic event.

Unfortunately, because we often don’t look for depression in little children, most of these kids don’t get diagnosed until they’re teens.

Most preschoolers can get moody or throw fits, but they quickly get over it and seem happy again when they start to play or take part in their day-to-day activities, according to Dr. Helen Egger, a psychiatrist at Duke University, who was interviewed in the story. Kids with depression don’t bounce back as easily. Here are some of the behaviors to watch for:

• Depressed children appear sad even when playing, and their games may have themes of death or other somber topics.
• Persistent lack of appetite
• Sleep problems
• Frequent temper tantrums that involve biting, kicking or hitting also are signs of possible depression.
• Being preoccupied with guilt over common mishaps.