I fear Olivia might be depressed

[Rÿcher]

over the past few days, I've noticed Olivia sit there in her highchair, maybe watching Blue's Clues or Jack's Big Music Show, head cocked to one side, non-reactive and sometimes crying. I try to talk to her and cheer her up. At first she won't look at me but then I'll do something silly like tickle her feet or
whatever I can do to make her smile.

I've looked it up and yes, toddlers can have depression.

I'll need to talk to the pediatrician about it but I was hoping someone here might have some experience with depression with their pre-schoolers. Anything I can do to keep her more happy more of the time? You know, more active and stuff?

 

[JuanBolio]

When I babysit/sat my nieces and nephews and they started crying, I'd just slap them and yell in their faces until they stopped.

(No, she's just being a baby - DO NOT put her on pills.)

 

[sidious618]

Is she maybe sick with something?

 

[Rÿcher]

(No, she's just being a baby - DO NOT put her on pills.)

Just don't want her to turn into a basket head-case like daddy, y'know?

Is she maybe sick with something?

I don't think so. The head-cock is persistent so I think she might have an ear infection or something for which she's trying to drain.

 

[Mallory]

Just don't want her to turn into a basket head-case like daddy, y'know?

We definitely don't want that to happen.

 

[The Borg Queen]

I would suggest trying to find a non-medication way of improving her mood first.

Do you play games and do activities with her, take her out for walks to the park, etc.?

Perhaps she's just in a funk and some extra inter-personal attention from her Daddy is all she needs to help get her through it. Cuddles, patticake, and so on...

You should probably make sure that there's nothing physical ailing her though, just to be on the safe side.

[edit] If it's only been the last few days accompanied by head-cocking and sometimes crying, then it could be an ear infection that's causing her discomfort, rather than anything specifically emotional.

 

[JuanBolio]

I had a kitten that once walked around with its head cocked to the side like that. Turned out it was brain damage from an unfortunate incident involving it sleeping up in a car engine. Had to be put down .

 

[Rÿcher]

Don't worry. She won't be a Trekkie. Not if I have anything to do with it. Sure it helped me a lot but it also hurt me about as mush as it helped me so my net gain is zero.

 

[JonathonWally]

Don't worry. She won't be a Trekkie. Not if I have anything to do with it. Sure it helped me a lot but it also hurt me about as mush as it helped me so my net gain is zero.

Please explain how liking Star Trek has anything to do with anything.

 

[JuanBolio]

Don't worry. She won't be a Trekkie. Not if I have anything to do with it.

CHILD ABUSE!!!

 

[Lindley]

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 2 years old. That was a record at the time; it's since been beaten.

This is a shot in the dark, but eating a bit of salt was able to cheer me up (so I'm told anyway) when it got bad. You might try feeding her something salty.

 

[ancientone51]

Hopefully it will be something as simple as ear infection.
If you already have an appointment scheduled, keep track of things...mannerisms, foods eaten when etc. Can't hurt.

Good luck.

 

[Rÿcher]

Just don't want her to turn into a basket head-case like daddy, y'know?

We definitely don't want that to happen.

Don't worry. She won't be a Trekkie. Not if I have anything to do with it. Sure it helped me a lot but it also hurt me about as mush as it helped me so my net gain is zero.

Please explain how liking Star Trek has anything to do with anything.

like that

 

[Alpha Romeo]

Don't put her on medication. But if you do, pay for it yourself.

 

[JonathonWally]

Just don't want her to turn into a basket head-case like daddy, y'know?

We definitely don't want that to happen.

Don't worry. She won't be a Trekkie. Not if I have anything to do with it. Sure it helped me a lot but it also hurt me about as mush as it helped me so my net gain is zero.

Please explain how liking Star Trek has anything to do with anything.

like that

You're not making any sense, explain further please.

 

[Rÿcher]

I want to catch depression and whatever else I have early in Olivia so she's not like me when she grows up and if that means I have to keep her away from Star Trek, so be it per the reasons I've listed.

Alpha, antibiotics shouldn't be too expensive. We've "bought in" to medicare for her too because of our income level.

 

[JonathonWally]

I want to catch depression and whatever else I have early in Olivia so she's not like me when she grows up and if that means I have to keep her away from Star Trek, so be it per the reasons I've listed.

You think watching and enjoying Star Trek explains everything that's wrong with you and is the root of it all?

 

[May 20]

Before you jump clear to depression, take her to the doctor to see if it's an ear infection. Also check to see if she's cutting teeth. While I know that mental illness can occur in a very small child, it's usually best to rule out the more likely stuff first.

 

[Rÿcher]

I want to catch depression and whatever else I have early in Olivia so she's not like me when she grows up and if that means I have to keep her away from Star Trek, so be it per the reasons I've listed.

You think watching and enjoying Star Trek explains everything that's wrong with you and is the root of it all?

don't read too much into it. Star Trek for me at least was a big hindrance to me making friends in school but I didn't care. It was my escape and my playland.

 

[Australis]

First things I'd look at are new teeth, and, especially, diet.

It may very well be something she's eating. Try to get her to each as much fresh food as possible. Run it through a blender, all that, you know the drill.

IF somethign like that had happened to mine, that's what we would have done.