Q&A: How to know if my child may have depression?

Beyond the Sessions is answering YOUR parenting questions!

In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Hershberg and I talk about what to do when your young child seems sad all the time, how to know when it's something to be concerned about, and when it might be time to seek additional support.

We explore:

• Is it typical for a 4-year-old to say they're sad every day, even when they can't explain why?

• How to tell the difference between developmentally typical sadness and potential signs of childhood depression.

• The subtle changes in your child's behavior that may be important clues about their emotional well-being.

• Why the intensity, frequency, and duration of your child's sadness may tell you more than what's actually making them sad.

• When to trust your instincts and seek a professional evaluation, even if you're not sure anything is seriously wrong.

• What therapy actually looks like for a preschooler, and how young children can work through difficult emotions without needing to talk about them directly.

• Why involving parents in a young child's therapy can be so valuable, even when the parent-child relationship isn't the source of the problem.

If your child has been telling you they're sad, seems less like themselves lately, or you're struggling to know whether what they're experiencing is a normal part of childhood or something that deserves a closer look, this episode will help you understand what to pay attention to, when to seek support, and why getting help doesn't have to mean something is terribly wrong.

REFERENCES AND RELATED RESOURCES:

🔗 Concerned about your child's emotional well-being? If your child has been experiencing persistent sadness, depression, or other emotional challenges, Upshur Bren Psychology Group offers specialized child therapy and parent support to help families better understand what's going on and find a path forward. Whether you're noticing subtle changes in your child's mood or wondering if it's time to seek professional help, our team is here to support you. Visit upshurbren.com to explore our services or schedule a free 30-minute consult to find the right support for your child and family.

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) with Dr. Eli Lebowitz

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about the neuroscience of raising emotionally resilient kids with Dr. Kristen Lindquist

🎧 Listen to my podcast episode about teaching children emotion regulation skills through coregulation with Dana Rosenbloom

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU:

Go to https://drsarahbren.com/question to send us a question or a topic you want to hear us answer on Securely Attached - Beyond the Sessions!