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How to spot a very young child who is in depression?
There are many reasons for a person to get depressed about. Some are very personal and some are not.
If a child is very quiet and bashful, how would you know if he or she is depressed or having some other developmental problems?
I believe in Early Intervention in all cases anyway.
Could you write up here, what kind of clues or symptoms to look for or how to approach your child' Pediatrician about it?!
Most of the Pediatricians are focused on Physical Health, but very rarely you find a Pediatrician who may spot a young child w signs and symptoms of depression and make proper referred and investigation.
What do you think? What is your experience w your Pediatrician?
Please post your notes below.
Thank you so much.
VJ
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I only know that my sibs and I stopped talking. We all had been verbal, relatively outgoing, got good grades in school, et al. When our father began the ritualized beatings of us, we shut down. No one questioned the unusual behavior. Our mother was away at college. Many years later her degrees in Special Ed led her to believe we “had all become retarded.” I cannot stress enough to question anything out of the ordinary in child’s routine, behavior, inappropriate actions and reactions, anything you think is off. Not sure where to go for professional advice but remember children often can tell you things going on w/ him or her but may not have the exact words. Best wishes.
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2 ReactionsMust be careful here. It's problematic to assign DSM-5 conditions to children. They go through stages of development, any one of which (temper tantrums normal 》oppositional temperament?) A child may be a naturally quiet thinker, and should not have an early stigma of depression. Parents and pediatricians are usually attuned to developmental issues. They used to say, "She's going through a 'stage.'"
Like separation -individuation. Easy does it.
Go to the doctor. Kinds with depression is never normal and not something they will grow out of. You need a child psychologist to evaluate her and help her if that is what is needed. This is not something a Pediatrician can do either but they can probably give you the name of a good psychologist.
@sallyo420
That is correct.However, some insurance plans may require referred from a Pediatrician. Pediatricians are supposed to do a Depression Screening, if a parent tells the pediatrician about their child' poor grade or change of behavior, lack of motivation or interest in things.
Talk to primary care dr. First please.
Thank you.
VJ
That's true and a Pediatrician should be the best resource and aware of child Psychologists.
Beware of child psychologists, period.
Age and sex of the child is a huge factor, as is birth order and family dynamics.
A shy child is quiet with strangers and in new situations.
A depressed child is quiet with everyone, lacks interest in real play alone or with other children even when they know the person, child or situation. They may sleep much more, lose interest in food. They will rarely laugh or smile or giggle.
Kids between 11-16 are so all over the place developmentally and hormonally, short depressed episodes are not uncommon.
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