could my 7 year old be depressed

[profmom]

My son is 7 and seems to have issues with serious mood swings. He can be calm and happy and just great but some days (or sometimes changes can happen within the same hour) he is very VERY sad and upset and anxious and even angry.  He can be hard to control in those times and even violent.  He worries a lot. He claims he can't control these moods and they obviously upset and scare him too. I understand that all kids have mood swings but is it possible for a child this small to have a more serious condition? I'm especially sensitive as my father is bi-polar and my husband suffers from depression so it is in the family.  I wont medicate someone who is seven but wonder what kind of help I can offer him (and us)
Thanks to anyone with insight

[Waltu]

Thank you agin, school will be cloth this week, I will do what ever it takes to make him come back, should I talk the counseler this week?

[specialmom]

Parents can beat themselves up a thousand times over but you are doing and were doing the best you could.  I would make time for those play dates as they are important to help build relationships.

I think if a school thinks a child is being isolated because of their race/skin color . . .   that would be a major blemish on their record.  I would contact them again and insist they do something!  And I know that my son has had different issues going on but with the same outcome in his early grades in elementary school.  My son has a mild developmental delay that has made him a prime target for being either made fun or ignored and left out.  Nothing hurts a mother's heart more. I involved my son's teacher and counselor and they helped in two ways.  First, they made sure that classroom discussion was that we are ALL friends, filling up people's buckets (by making them feel good) rather than emptying them, etc.  And any child that did something mean or hurtful to my son would be reprimanded.  AND the second part that they helped with was to help set up situations for my son to make friendly interaction at school that could lead to friendship down the road.  Examples---  his teacher didn't allow kids to 'pick' partners---  she did it for them and would put my son with a kind hearted child.  The counselor had small groups of kids that she met with and they'd talk about friendship things---  how to be a friend, how to make a friend, etc.  And the mere act of meeting made these boys know each other better.  They'd organize a recess game if anyone wanted to play--  duck duck goose or kick ball or whatever.  I did encourage my son (actually both of my sons) when they have trouble at recess to join in a group athletic game.  Wall ball, kick ball, soccer, even touch football goes on out in the field at our school and it's a way to mix with kids.  Usually no one gets turned away and if they are---  a teacher should know.  

He's going through a rough patch.  Get some play dates (shoot for maybe 2 a month . . .   that is doable, right?).  Keep encouraging him.  Talk to that school and don't let them disappoint you. Remember too, the school answers to 'someone' one which is usually within the district.  If the district knew there was discrimination going on, it would be really embarrassing for them.  It hurts my heart that this kind of thing still goes on.  Terrible.  

Again, stay really positive with your son and maybe slow down your own studies to refocus a bit on him if that is at all possible.  good luck and blessings

[Waltu]

Thank you, I did contact the school but it seems to me they are not paying attention, my son involve in different activity soccer , karate, and Lego the only thing that I don't do is play dat that is because two reason one, no one seems to be interested in his school but out side school I use to make play dat for him this year I was busy to take my nclex exam my husband also work full time and school so my concern was always help him with his homework play with him little bit and go buck to my study, but now my son seem different e doesn't laugh he is not interested going out or doing new things he use to love swimming this year it took me days to convince him ,he doesn't get along with his two years old sister , I feel so bad like this is my fault I was thinking our future what makes it difficult for me is that I come U.S.A 3 years ago my son was 3 years old and now we are trying to make butter life for our kids I didn't know that my son will get heart this much , we both feel hobble for taking all the time from them

[specialmom]

Oh my gosh, that is heartbreaking!!   I would absolutely contact the teacher, the school counselor and the principal about this.  Alienating a child due to skin color is atrocious and the school needs to be involved.  Then the teacher can work to help begin pairing him with some of the nicer kids.  The kids he was friendly with in kinder, did he ever have play dates or anything where you got to know the parents or anything?  Because if so, then you could invite a child over for a play date to help build relationships.  I'd also get him involved in any type of team or group activity such as sports or cub scouts, etc.  it helps for building relationships and common ground.  

But you need the help with the school as this kind of thing should not go on within a school (or anywhere).  good luck and I so hope it works out for your little guy.

For self esteem, get him in things he loves and foster his natural abilities, whatever they may be.  And remind him of the things he's good at.  Talk about the ignorance of others and that we all have different outsides and having a kind inside is what counts.  Things like that.  peace and blessings to you

[Waltu]

I have 7 year old boy, my son was very happy boy when he was in kindergarten good friendship, confidence he was perfect but since he start first grad his friend isolat him he is the only African American student in his class, some kids told him that his skin color is bad, long story short he couldn't find a friend he start eating evry thing his clos pencils eraser his nails, he said no one want him and he call him self loser, I don't  know what to do

[specialmom]

A counselor for self esteem issues sounds good!  Eventually, girls will envy her for being tall!  She's at a very hard age.  I have a 9 year old boy and I've been amazed at the things kids say and do.  best of luck to you and your daughter.  

[JessyWix]

My 9 year old has started seeing the school counselor, because of self-esteem issues.  She's an early bloomer, starting to become a young woman, and experiencing some shaming at school for being taller than the other girls.

[lovingmommy104]

I have an almost 8 year old daughter. I have noted unusual sociall occurances with my daughter since kindergatern. She has what seems to been hign anxiety (chews everything..shirts, pencils, erasers). To make a long story short. Held her back to first grade again, applied her in cheerleading. Cheerleadin/ exercise seemed to improve everything (except social issues). When cheerleading stopped/Exercise. Chewing started again, along with her social isolation. This seems to annoy teachers and coaches. She was just recently diagnosed with depression and prescribed Prozac. Want to help our little girl...but prozac? Starting therapy next week. Help with any suggestions

[lovingmommy104]

I have an almost 8 year old daughter. I have noted unusual sociall occurances with my daughter since kindergatern. She has what seems to been hign anxiety (chews everything..shirts, pencils, erasers). To make a long story short. Held her back to first grade again, applied her in cheerleading. Cheerleadin/ exercise seemed to improve everything (except social issues). When cheerleading stopped/Exercise. Chewing started again, along with her social isolation. This seems to annoy teachers and coaches. She was just recently diagnosed with depression and prescribed Prozac. Want to help our little girl...but prozac? Starting therapy next week. Help with any suggestions

[Focusissues]

We were having issues similar to this and it turned out to be a medication he was taking for Asthma and Exzema. Is you son on meds for anything? It could be a diet and excercise thing too. I'm not discounting that he could very well have depression and I would suggest medical help but there would be no harm in also cutting out added sugars and artificial additives and trying to get him in sports if he is not already. Healthy bodies make healthy minds.

[zkmom]

Hi I have a 7 year old with really bad mood swings also.  My  mom is Bi Polar also.  I have adr appt  for him Monday I just dont know what to do he told he was going to kill himself.  He hit his head on the side of our house 32x all today.  Has anyone else dealt with this... I have 4 yr daughter that is picking stuff up from him.

[jdtm]

Our child was diagnosed with severe social anxiety and depression at six years of age by a child psychiatrist.  The treatment was intervention, therapy and after several months, the introduction of medication.  These various methods took several years; we are still using a very low dose of medication today.  The depression was a result of the severe anxiety - co-morbid, if you will. The progress today is remarkable and I believe one of the main reasons was our early "attack" on the disorder.  

[profmom]

thanks for that. I'm curious how you have proceeded with your sons depression diagnosis?

[jdtm]

Our child was diagnosed with depression at six years of age.  But, I think there is more here than just depression, and yes, it is very possible for a child of seven to have mental health issues (we knew there were issues when our child was only four).   I think it is time that you asked your family doctor for a referral for a specialist in childhood mental health/behavioural issues.  At worst, you will know what the problem is and how to begin treating it; at best, your worries will be laid to rest.