Is it possible for a 4 year old to be depressed

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Forum -> Chinuch, Education & Schooling

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amother

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 4:22 pm

She keeps randomly crying.

smss

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 4:27 pm

Hmm, can you tell us more? How long has this been going on? Any recent life changes or stressful events? Are you saying she cries out of nowhere or it just seems to not be warranted by the situation but she has a reason why she's sad?

bebrave

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 4:27 pm

How do you define depressed? Have you asked what's bothering her?

amother

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 4:31 pm

bebrave wrote:

How do you define depressed? Have you asked what's bothering her?

Yes shell come up with a booboo or something.
Yesterday she made up a story about how my sister hit her.

chocolate moose

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 4:33 pm

absolutely. I felt one of our kids was depressed from a really young age. they didn't cry but they only colored in black.

bebrave

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 4:33 pm

amother OP wrote:

Yes shell come up with a booboo or something.
Yesterday she made up a story about how my sister hit her.

Maybe insecure and in need of some more hugs and kisses.

amother

NeonPurple

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 5:30 pm

I think it’s possible but usually in cases of trauma and neglect imo

amother

Tuberose

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 5:38 pm

amother OP wrote:

Yes shell come up with a booboo or something.
Yesterday she made up a story about how my sister hit her.

Is it possible she was hit? By your sister or someone else?

amother

Topaz

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 6:09 pm

Dysregulated nervous system, can be from infections, inflammation, etc

amother

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 6:15 pm

amother Tuberose wrote:

Is it possible she was hit? By your sister or someone else?

No. I know this sister and she would never hit.

amother

Orchid

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 6:15 pm

Yes, is possible for a 4-year-old to be depressed. But what you are describing doesn't sound like depression in a 4-year-old at all. It definitely sounds like she has more emotional needs.

As a parent, there is a lot you can do to help her. At this age, parenting makes the difference. I'm not saying you're a bad parent. I'm saying this child might need some special techniques that you can learn in order to help her.

amother

Ultramarine

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 6:36 pm

Yes, it's possible. Depression can be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, there doesn't have to be a specific reason to be depressed. I have a child who was diagnosed with depression at 7 years old, though it didn't necessarily present as classic depression. This doesn't mean your child is depressed, just that it is possible. If you're concerned speak to a professional.

pecan

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 6:37 pm

I'd take her for a physical checkup before assuming depression

amother

Aqua

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 6:40 pm

OP, when did the increased crying start?
How old are her other siblings?

amother

Tuberose

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 6:55 pm

amother OP wrote:

No. I know this sister and she would never hit.

Nobody believed me as a 4 year old when I said my grandfather touched me, because he would never do that and little kids must make up stories.

But sometimes there’s truth to it and your child could be giving hints to a real problem, so why not really listen?

I’d say if your daughter seems depressed, and she very possibly is, there’s likely a cause. Maybe she isn’t “making it up” and just is trying to tell you what’s wrong

dena613

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 6:57 pm

When did the crying start?
If it started around yom kippur or the start of sukkos, it's probably because she's dysregulated and off schedule.
My preschooler was a basket case once vacation began, but was amazing today because I've been very good Abt getting him to bed at a semi decent hour since second night of YT.

You mention your sister. Are you not home for YT? Are you sleeping out of your home and hanging out with more family than a typical day? That is also overwhelming, even to a generally happy child.

I wouldn't jump to depression so fast.

Get her back on a regular eating and sleeping schedule after YT and please check in a week after Sukkos if she's still crying all the time.

When kids cry they tend to be hungry, tired, bored, or overwhelmed. (Or needing the bathroom!)

amother

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 7:00 pm

amother Aqua wrote:

OP, when did the increased crying start?
How old are her other siblings?

Just now after yom tov I don't know what to do. She has a 9 month old sister. She loves her and has never showed jealousy towards her at all.

amother

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 7:05 pm

dena613 wrote:

Were home now. But we stayed at my parents for first days. My sister played with her and that's what she's talking about.

amother

Ivory

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 7:05 pm

amother OP wrote:

Just now after yom tov I don't know what to do. She has a 9 month old sister. She loves her and has never showed jealousy towards her at all.

you do your best to talk to her about what is making her cry - without putting any ideas into her head.

amother

Tue, Oct 03 2023, 7:09 pm

amother Tuberose wrote:

Curious how did you describe what happened to you to your parents?

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