Worried parents sometimes ponder if there is any childhood depression early signs to look out for in their own kids because depression can start as early as childhood.
Different emotional reactions were observed in preschool children who have been depressed or at risk for internalizing problems, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology.
In certain youngsters, internalizing symptoms such as severe timidity and unexplained body ailments are linked to depressive symptoms. They discovered that depressive and at-risk boys showed more anger than any other research group, whereas depressed and at-risk girls showed greater sadness overall in their study of 3- to 5-year-olds.
Throughout the course of childhood depression, early emotional warning indicators may be present, according to the research. It also demonstrates that the emotional responses of boys and girls are different.
Other Red Flags
Additional indicators of mental health issues in young children should be recognized by parents. Unlike older children or adults, young children are less likely to be able to articulate their feelings. Because of that, they may complain of vague bodily aches and pains with no underlying medical explanation, or they may refuse to go to school or leave the house, or they may cling to a parent and refuse to be separated for fear of anything horrible happening. A child who “does not seem like herself” should be acknowledged by parents, teachers, or caretakers.
Irritability is an essential sign of depression in kids and, according to the DSM-IV, is a factor in determining a diagnosis of childhood depression, not like in adults where a depressed mood and anhedonia are the key elements in determining a diagnosis of depression. Angry outbursts, inappropriate reactions, or simply a bad mood can all be signs of irritability.
The inability to feel pleasure or Anhedonia is strongly linked to depression and can be detected as early as age three. Anhedonia is defined as a child’s incapacity to derive enjoyment from age-appropriate play.
If You’re Concerned, What Should You Do?
Take them to a depression doctor in Abu Dhabi first, if you suspect your young child is depressed. Any physical condition that could be causing the symptoms can be ruled out by a doctor. Your kid should be assessed by a mental health expert who is an expert in working with children and treating mood problems, once a physical condition has been ruled out. Your child will be evaluated by an expert who will decide a suitable diagnosis and, if necessary, therapy.
The importance of early detection of depression, especially in youngsters, cannot be overstated. The severity of a child’s depression can be reduced with effective treatment.
At Maudsley Health, your child can receive depression therapy in Abu Dhabi. Since 2015, they have been delivering mental health and wellbeing services to children and adolescents in the United Arab Emirates.
The company’s goal is to help children and adolescents with mental health issues, as well as their families, achieve the best possible outcomes. The service is centered on the young person and their family, and it is sensitive to children’s and adolescents’ developmental needs.
It is provided with compassion and consideration for people of different cultural origins. Strategies are based on the most up-to-date evidence-based practice from around the world, and results are tracked to ensure that therapy is effective and progress is sustained.
To understand a youngster’s needs and be in the greatest position to advise on the evidence-based solutions available, high-quality and comprehensive assessments are conducted.
They want to make sure that:
- The mental health of more young people will improve.
- There will be a greater number of young people who recover from mental illness.
- There will be a greater number of young individuals with mental health issues who are in good physical condition.
- The service will provide more young people with positive experiences of care and assistance.
- In their social lives, a growing number of young people face less stigma and discrimination.
Interviews with the young person, his or her parents, and any other relevant individual engaged with the child or young person are conducted as part of the thorough assessment process. They may also visit the young person’s school or other settings to observe him or her or obtain reports and multi-source feedback from other professionals associated with him or her.
They are using a variety of gold standard assessments (e.g., ADOS, ADI, K-SADS), intervention modalities (CBT, ITP), and outcome measures (e.g., ADOS, ADI, K-SADS) (CGAS, SDQ). To evaluate progress, outcome measures might be utilized. Generally, they’re utilized to assess the effectiveness of therapy interventions.
Inpatient Services
The service’s mission is to provide care for children and young people in the community. If the youngster is seriously ill and needs to be admitted to an inpatient facility to safeguard his or her safety or the safety of others around him, the service can help arrange admission to local services or, if necessary, in the United Kingdom.
You can reach Maudsley Health at (+971) 2 610 7777 to make an appointment. All personal information will be handled with the utmost discretion.
