Depression can affect children during their toddler years, experts say

By Staff Writer

Medical professionals in Georgia say that signs of depression can be detected in some children before they can even walk.

Although most research links the mental disorder to adults and teenagers, MyFoxAtlanta.com cites a psychologist who believes that depression can develop during a child's toddler years.

"And often what you see in toddlers for example, is a lot of crying. They may be inconsolable. They may be so apathetic that they don't even play," the doctor told the news source.

As kids begin to attend grade school, they are more apt to display depressive tendencies, such as difficulty sleeping, problems eating or a reluctance to socialize in school. The news source reports that depression typically hits harder once kids reach their teenage years.

The psychologist recommends that parents who detect signs of depression in their children should consult a counselor or a pediatrician. Mental disorders that go untreated may lead to more serious problems.

The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that mental health problems, including depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal and other psychosocial dysfunctions, are frequently linked to substance abuse among adolescents.