He was given tests for depression, anxiety, anger, suicidal tendencies, ADHD, IQ, and some others. He has abnormally high depression and anxiety. He internalizes anger and talks about hurting himself or wanting to die at least twice per week. He hates everything about himself, doesn't feel like he's "fit for this or any family", and expects himself to be perfect. His IQ was tested at 118, but because of his depression it is probably higher, yet his emotional level is around that of a 4 year old. He believes there are two emotions, anger and happiness, therefore, if I'm not happy, I'm angry. If I criticize him in the least little bit he thinks I'm mad at him and spirals into the "I hate myself" whirlpool. He was diagnosed with dysthemia, possibly secondary to ADHD, but his testing wasn't definative. His psychiatrist wants to treat him for depression first to see if we can get that under control then we can retest him for ADHD to get a better idea if that is the main problem. I don't think he's ADHD, I think he's 7 years old (he's not 9
) and his depression keeps him from concentrating like he should. He's a daydreamer like me and tends to figit, but listens a lot better than it seems by looking at him. There is only about 2% of the population that has dysthemia. I've read everything I can get a hold of on this disorder and it sounds like that's absolutely what he has. I'm no dummy and can understand medical jornals and text, so I feel confident in my assertions that this is what he has.
Depression, anxiety, and ADHD are prevalent in both my family and my husband's, so I feel there is a genetic influence there. I also suffer from depression regulary, however it lasts no more than a couple days and it's not incapacitating.
I understand your doubt that a 7 year old could have a dx of depression, but if you knew him from the day he was born until now, you'd see it. That's how long it took me to get some help for him. Maybe if I'd sought help from the mental health community sooner he wouldn't be as bad as he is. School is especially hard for him in that he tends to allow himself to be bullied and won't react at all. He just takes it without objecting. I talk with him about his days and he never told me about this. We found out from his teachers. He also says he has no friends, but interacts with his classmates and they like him a lot. I've seen them all greet him enthusiastically when he returns from appointments.
I could go on and on about him from his feelings of persecution, to not believing we love him. In my defense, we are an affectionate family. We give hugs, kisses and words of appreciation and love as all families should. My son just has a problem believing we actually feel like that about him. He believes what he believes, and regardless of what proof we show him he will not be convinced otherwise. On the bright side, he doesn't let others get him in trouble or talk him into doing something he knows is wrong. He is a good kid and tries very hard, he just can't live up to his own expectations.
In short, that's why he was diagnosed with depression.
Children with Depression 
Linear Mode
