Have you ever thought that you might suffer from actual depression? I know I have. I have taken dangerous turns in my life and thought that I was worthless. To tell the truth from time to time I still do. What I believe to be a shame is that at least four percent of preschoolers -- over a million -- are clinically depressed.
In my opinion, that is a problem. However, what I think of even more is what prompts a preschooler, someone the age of 5 or 6 to be considered clinically depressed. research has proven that until the 1990's the though was always depression couldn’t affect one so young, but new studies have shown that depression even the thought of suicide affects toddlers and adolescents as much as adults. “according to the National Mental Health Association, one in three American children suffers from depression. " the sad thing is that since the symptoms aren’t as concrete as a cold of the chicken pox and go left alone more often then they should.
Depression among children is growing by about 23% a year; it is so bad that we have children popping antidepressants. In 2002 one study shown that antidepressant use was 68% greater in older girls and 34% higher in younger boys.
The most upsetting part is that 15% of depressed people are bound to commit suicide. Depression is thought so much as a personal weakness that 80% of people depressed are going untreated. It is thought that by the year 2020 depression will be the second largest cause of death next to heart disease.
see I know that when I feel depressed I sometimes think that this is what I deserve, problem is nobody deserves to be depressed. Depression can be caused by many things from genetics, to a traumatic event, to stress. Many of the causes are things you can prevent, but one thing tat can be prevented is becoming just another heartbreaking statistic.
When kids as young as two and three start becoming clinically depressed and suicidal, that is a problem. The bad part is not all those popping pills to “recover” are guaranteed their recovery. Antidepressants work for 35 to 45% of the depressed population, so what about everybody else. "Studies show those relationships with partners, careers, teachers, co-workers and a supportive social network results in physical and emotional healing, happiness and life satisfaction, and prevents isolation and loneliness, major factors in depressive illness."
Now I am not saying to come off you meds if a doctor has prescribed them to you I am just giving you some statistics. I just believe it to be a little horrifying that by the time I have kids, which will not be for about another four to five years from now hat my child would have a 92% higher chance of being diagnosed as depressed.
As I have said, I have considered myself depressed. I was at one time, what one would consider a cutter, and I have even felt so bad to consider suicide. I have seen some of my best friends go through it. I have heard the jokes. I know how much it hurts. There were the times I wished I had someone to talk to and times I wished someone could understand. I have known the fear of having someone fide out your secret, but honestly having someone not know is worse. See no one wishes to be depressed, it just happens. If you know someone who is depressed talk to them, find help. "More teenagers die each year from suicide than from all other illnesses—from cancer to AIDS—combined.” its amazing what being a friend can do.
I once knew a 4-year-old who was placed in a behavioral health facility because he heard voices telling him to kill the baby in mommy's tummy, and then tried to stab his pregnant mother. I knew a lot of kids with a lot of behavioral health problems when I was doing my clinical rotation at the Phoenix Children's Hospital Behavioral Health Unit (PCH BHU). One of the doctors there is actually doing some research on how some kids are mistakingly diagnosed with ADD or ADHD and the medication for these disorders actually triggers an underlying behavior disorder that may have otherwise never surfaced. Bipolar disorder is a really common diagnosis with the preschoolers at PCH BHU.
Depression with people under 12 is pretty rare because the brains aren't really set up for it yet... But it does happen. When it does, anxiety is usually diagnosed with the depression in preschoolers and is often the underlying cause of it. That's why medicating for depression doesn't work all the time. You want to treat causes, not symptoms.
A note to everyone--If someone you know is thinking of suicide, if they tell you they don't feel safe being by themselves because of what they might do, the best thing a friend can do for them is get them to seek professional help. Everyone doesn't need drugs to make them happy again, but when someone is to the point where they think that killing themselves is the only answer, hearing that they're loved and wanted just doesn't really help anymore. Seeing someone who helps people deal with depression every day, and has the authority to keep them from harming themselves until they can find some sort of balance in their lives can.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/sawaboof
"...There is a crushing guilt that comes with being a Catholic. Whether things are good or bad or you're simply... eating tacos in the park, there is always the crushing guilt."
-30 Rock-
i do agree, sometimes a professional is definatly the answer, to anyone who knows someone is is that someone in the state of mind of suicide thre is always help.
National Suicide Hotlines USA
Toll-Free / 24 hours a day / 7 days a week
1-800-SUICIDE 1-800-273-TALK
1-800-784-2433 1-800-273-8255
1-800-799-4TTY (4889)
Deaf Hotline
those are just some numbers if you every need them.
sometimes everyone needs help, its nothing to "feel ashamed of", if you need it, take it, is their. and if you know someone that need it, dont miss the oppurtunity, you might be what stops them from doing something lifethreatening.
Maybe the father was telling him to do that.
I never knew this was such a problem with young kids. I've never even heard of it happening to kids who are that young. Thank you for your information, it's very interesting.
They need more nurturing. This is rediculous. Giving preschooler pschiatric drugs?
They need more nurturing. This is rediculous. Giving preschooler psychiatric drugs?