Often a young child can easily be mistaken as being moody when displaying symptoms of depressed behaviour. Some parents can be completely unaware that their young child is in a constant state of unhappiness, which is an issue that does need to be addressed.
Sometimes the symptoms of Depression in young children can be seen as just “part of growing up”. It can be hard to tell the difference between sadness and depression in children aged 3-8 years.
Young children who suffer from Depression or “depressed mood” are at risk of the condition affecting their physical as well as mental health.
What Does Depression Look Like In Young Children?
Depression in children is a serious illness and can be identified by several symptoms including:
- Feeling down for a long period of time, a fortnight or more
- Negative thinking
- Lack of interest in daily activities
- Aggressive and defiant behaviour
- Temper tantrums
- Self pity, saying no-one likes them
- Feeling guilty – for example, they might say things like, ‘It’s always my fault’
- Fearful and worried a lot
- Frequent aches and pains that don’t seem to have a medical cause
It is important for children who display indicators of Depression, to receive professional advice without delay so they can receive the right care, so please visit your GP if you have any concerns about your child.
Specialised Services for Children and Adolescents
- All anxiety problems including phobias, separation anxiety, OCD, performance anxiety (exam)
- Hypnotherapy for Eating Disorders (Children under 12)
- Mood disorders
- Bullying including cyberbullying
- Abuse (Psychological, physical and sexual) and trauma
- Oppositional defiant disorder and Conduct disorder
- Self- esteem and social skills issues
- Behavioural issues including those experienced by children with autism and intellectual disability
- Learning issues
- Self-harm
- Alcohol and other drug use
- Eating disorders
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/Attention Deficit Disorder
- Adjustment Issues
Swan Valley Psychology Centre
The Swan Valley Psychology Centre is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority, and are also approved to supervise Clinical Psychology Registrars and Clinical Psychology Students.
Their caring team provide a high standard of care and clinical psychology services to all their patients who display symptoms of depressed behaviour, with those patients ranging in ages from young children through to elderly people.
For more information or to make an appointment, please contact the team:
Phone: 9379 3580
Fax: 9379 3557
Web: www.svpc.com.au
Email: [email protected]