Study: Preschoolers' depression is 'real'

August 3, 2009 Typical preschoolers can be moody or have temper tantrums, but they quickly bounce back. Depressed children appear sad even when playing.

A study by Washington University is the first to show that major depression can be chronic even in children as young as 3. That means the problem can persist, just as it does for older children and adults.

The study did not look at treatment, which is controversial for children so young.

The findings are published in the august issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.