What Are The Early Signs Of Depression In Toddlers?

by Niraj Jayaswal Content Writer

Summary

When top play schools in shalimar garden, Ghaziabad and other parts of the NCR start to bring awareness on the topic of depression in kids, it is clear to acknowledge the high time for mental health awareness among the common people of this country. There is already so much stigma and misinformation regarding mental health in adults that it makes it more difficult to dig deeper into this and find its presence among the youngest lot, the toddlers. But it has to be done at any cost, nevertheless. We have elaborated on the early signs of depression in toddlers in this article, hoping to help the young parents to any possible extent. The expert advice for this article has been taken from professionals who were recommended by a respected preschool franchise in najafgarh, Delhi.

Article

Your child does not eat properly, now and then, she cries without any explained reason. Your child seems dejected from other kids, he does not like playing with his toys also. Like other toddlers, your child is not happy with her favorite foods. Your child has been angry for utmost no reason. All of this seems like a sad moment or a sad day but if it keeps on going for a long time, they could be the signs of depression. It is important to differentiate if it is a momentary feeling or a continuous sad state, the latter could be the manifestation of depression. To know if it is depression which is keeping your child absorbed in an unhealthy state, it becomes your responsibility to acknowledge its sign, the possible ones being:

Changes in sleep patterns

When a child is newly born, it does not sleep as per the natural patterns. After a month or so of their birth, these newborn babies adapt to sleeping at night and waking in the morning. This change in routine is acceptable but if your toddler is shoeing a similar pattern of abnormal sleeping, then, depression may be a possible cause. It is important on your behalf to acknowledge any patterns of excessive sleep or even sleeplessness.

· Concentration problems

Concentration develops along with the growth. Every age has a standard thought processor, a little variation is not unhealthy but if your child is not concentrating well or is showcasing signs of impaired thinking, it can be assumed to be an early sign of depression but the advice from the professionals can display the right results.

· Fatigue

Toddlers are quick, in a few moments, they create havoc. They can make the people around them seem lazy. When this usual behavior is not present in toddlers or if they easily get off from activities which require energy, it is a warning sign towards their health. Even though it could be because of some physical problems but the possibility of depression still exists, nevertheless.

· Increased or decreased appetite

Not eating certain food items is okay. Some children make faces at vegetables and some may have unique dejection from certain food items. But if your child ignores food and complains of not feeling hungry most of the times, it could be a warning sign for you to consult a pediatric psychologist. On the other hand, unreasonable appetite is also not a good sign. Eating disorders are commonly involved in cases of depression and anxiety. In cases of both abnormal increase or decrease in appetite, consult a doctor and try to find out the cause.

· Sadness

Feeling blues is not a trademark of adulthood, something you would assume. It is also present in kids, but the problem arises when this state of blues is continuous. Not liking new people or not being happy with a fresh toy is fine until and unless this behavior is constant at most of the time. It is the advice of young parents to note this behavior in their children, particularly toddlers because it could be an early sign of depression.

· Social withdrawal

If your child is not showcasing appropriate social behavior, he or she is not responding well to the social meetups as the other child of his or her age. You may want to get professional help in this case. Sometimes, toddlers suffering from mental health issues such as depression do not react well to social set-ups. If these behaviors are assessed early, the chances of quick rehabilitation to the normal health state increase quickly.

· Unreasonable physical complaints

Even though toddlers cannot say much but their parents are capable of understanding their pains and desires. When their toddler complains of physical pains, it becomes the responsibility of the parents to get them treated. But even after treatment, the toddler still complains of these problems, it could be a symptom of deteriorating mental health and at times of depression.