Can children not yet in adolescence get clinically severely depressed? for Questionland Seattle

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Can children not yet in adolescence get clinically severely depressed?

I have a 7-year-old child in my classroom who I new last year as a gregarious and fun fellow. I know his parents, they are engaged, loving to him and do not push him in unhealthy ways but they did divorce over the summer. I know he is adjusting to that but what I see I think are signs of real depression. He wants to sleep at recess time, eats very little although both parents pack him a healthy lunch, cries easily and just seems very interior. I've never seen these signs in a child where I didn't suspect there was some actual abuse to blame, but I don't think that's the case here.

Edwardo asked in Kid Health & Safety about 1 year ago | Report

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Liz Markey, LMHC, CMHS

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Edwardo,

Children can experience depression just as adults do. There is a natural adjustment period that ensues after a big life event or change. Divorce would fit that bill. The symptoms you mention are indicate that there is some level of depression occuring for him.

One thing is tell clients and families when working with them is that events, like divorce, have many layers. There is the obvious change of the actual divorce happening but there are also consequential changes, such as who does he live with? Is he between two homes? Are parents talking poorly about one another? Does he feel he needs to choose? Did he have to move schools or homes?

Additionally, divorce is not due to spontaneous combustion. Something or things lead adults to choose divorce. These reasons may be contributing to your student's sadness. He very likely, too, lived within a landscpae of his parent's tension for some time. This is extremely hard on a little one as it is beyond his developmental level to process with words alone.

You may ask to have his parents come in and give them feedback about what you are noticing. Perhaps you can support them in a plan for the whole family to deal with this new transtion. If you have a school counselor available, bring her in for the conversation.

Good Luck and thanks for your care!!

Liz

Liz Markey, LMHC, CMHS answered in Kid Health & Safety about 1 year ago | Report

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Carol Poole, LMHC

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Yes, children can get severely depressed. I'm not sure that's the right diagnosis in this case. You say he was happy and gregarious last year. That strongly suggests that his neurochemistry is not the source of the problem here.

How long has he seemed depressed?

Just based on what you've written, I'd be wondering if the child is having a hard time adjusting to a new family situation, and might also be experiencing grief or possibly even trauma. Depression can be a symptom of any of these scenarios. In the case of adjustment and grief, it would most likely clear up over time.

It does sound like the child and/or his family could benefit from talking with you, and if your school has a counselor that'd be a good resource. If the child continues to seem depressed for more than a couple of months, or if the symptoms get worse, then that would be a good time to look at mental-health treatment.

I am loath to recommend medication for a child unless all other reasonable options have been tried already, so I'd suggest play therapy as a first-line mental-health intervention to try--if time and parent/teacher conferences don't seem to be enough. But if, as you say, he's got loving parents (and a caring teacher!), he may not need more than support and time in order to return to his fun-loving self.

Carol Poole, LMHC answered in Kid Health & Safety about 1 year ago | Report

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Young children can become very depressed, just like adults. I know because when I was that age, I suffered from depression too.

AWBP answered in Kid Health & Safety about 1 year ago | Report

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In addition to all the expert advice above, an anecdote: My brother became suicidal when he was 10, and it took several months before my parents figured out that it was a side effect of a medication he was taking. (Incidentally, the purpose of the drug was not mental-health-related.) Stopping the drug resolved the problem. Obviously this may not be the issue here, but it's worth noting that other possibilities exist besides emotional/experiential ones.

pickled ginger answered in Kid Health & Safety about 1 year ago | Report

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Big old behavior changes can also be a sign of sexual abuse. Is there a new step parent or boy/girl friend in his parents' life?

He needs help and should probably have a "forensic interview" to get to the bottom of this.

These interviews are not scary for the child - and most likely will find some answer. If you want to email me directly, I can help you find an organization in your area you can refer his parents to, so they can get him help. amy@birdsandbeesandkids.com

If you get a big push back from the parents at any mention of sexual abuse, I'd consider this a red flag. Pick the one who seems less freaky-deeky to feel this out with.

Remember, his welfare is more important than the parents'. Children can't protect themselves, it's people like us who can step up and get them help when they need it.

Amy Lang answered in Kid Health & Safety about 1 year ago | Report

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