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The topic of depression is often a heated one as there are many, differing opinions about the possible causes of it. This is true for adults and even more so for pre-schoolers. The shocking fact of the matter is that there are a scary amount of young children already using Prozac to help control their depression. The “Journal of the American Medical Association” published a article in 2000 stating that anti-depressants are the second most prescribed psychiatric medication in children. Between 1991 and 1995 the use of anti-depressants by pre-schoolers doubled.

• Are we (professionals/ psychiatrists/pediatricians) over-diagnosing  something that is a normal part of emotional development?
• Do our children have too many demands on them and thus become stressed-out even before they go to school?
• Are the disrupted social and family structures of today to blame for these children’s mental state?
• Do our children have less support from family members because of outside demands and busy schedules?
• Some are of the opinion that a child’s genetic make-up can predispose him to changes in the chemical processes in the brain -which often lead to depression. Thus, it is inherited.
• Are there toxins in our environment that can cause more and more pre-schoolers to struggle mentally?
• It is a well-documented fact that too many children get very little, if any, exercise. Since exercise does play a role in combating depression there could just as well be some link between these two issues. Imagine putting a mildly depressed child that is in need of exercise onto a anti-depressant – which has the nasty side-effect of weight gain. You might just end up with a severely over-weight youngster who lacks the confidence and skill to get involved in sport. A very negative cycle with a sad outcome.
• Every human being, grown-up and child, have a soul-hunger for a living relationship with the God. As long as that void is there a great sadness will fill that soul. No chemical human invention can fill that void. With this I am not saying that people suffering from depression lack a relationship with God – I have dear friends who love the Lord tremendously and still battle with depression.

Research into pre-school depression is ongoing and here and there interesting conclusions have come to light. Helsinki University Central Hospital in Finland found that 22% of children who snore have mood disorders, such as depression, that is severe enough to grant further clinical tests. Children who snore tend to have sleep disturbances such as nightmares and sleep walking. Sleep deprivation can have a tremendous effect on a pre-schooler’s mental state of mind.

Unresolved trauma is one of the major causes of depression in young children. Some children live in a violent world full of verbal, sexual, physical and emotional abuse and are left traumatized and depressed.

Most children who struggle with depression have some form of anxiety. Some professionals are of the opinion that anxiety is the base of most childhood depressions – be it separation anxiety,  social phobias or general anxieties over things around them.

The following insert may shed some more light on the topic of Childhood depression

2 Responses to Bed Wetting Alarms

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   August 9, 2010 at 2:49 am

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2. Allergy and Immunology resources says:

   September 3, 2010 at 12:47 pm

   Thanks for the article, well written and very informative, Cheers

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