Although it is difficult to imagine a preschooler suffering from depression, the symptoms of this disease already affect children under six years of age. In the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science, US scientists point out the importance of early recognition of the first symptoms.
Depression in children under six began to be analyzed relatively recently. Symptoms do not always resemble those of adults, which is why in many cases they go unnoticed or downplayed, says Dr. Joan Luby, a child psychiatrist at the University of Washington in St. Louis.
The appearance of symptoms of depression does not necessarily mean that your child is sad and depressed all day long. The lack of the ability to feel pleasure in adults (the so-called anhedonia), which is typical of this disease, is manifested by a decrease in libido. In children, on the other hand, anhedonia can be observed if they are unable to enjoy playing, the researcher explains.
The basic method of detecting symptoms of depression in preschoolers are specially prepared interviews, during which a psychologist or a psychiatrist can determine whether the child is less joyful, or is prone to feeling guilty or has sleep disorders.
Recent research by Dr. Luba has shown that preschool depression is not just a temporary condition, but may be a harbinger of a chronic illness that your child will face in the future.
The researcher emphasizes that due to the long-term consequences, early detection of childhood depression is extremely important. A child’s brain is very flexible, so it easily adapts and changes under the influence of new experiences. This flexibility of the brain means that if started early enough, treatment and prevention can help your child avoid depressive disorders later in life.
Treatments currently being tested and promising are based on Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT); however, they are modified in such a way as to emphasize the emotional development of the child (PAP)