Can a 5 year old have depression?

My 5 yr old son is always sad, to the point of tears. DH and I thought he was whiny but today I sat him on my lap and asked him what was wrong. He said he was just sad. I asked what I could do to make him happy he said "nothing". He will walk around the house and say that today is the saddest day ever. It's hard to get him to smile. He will do activities so he's not isolating himself from things but he is constantly melancholy. Any ideas or suggestions? Could it be depression at 5? There is no history of it in the family anywhere.

It sounds like he is depressed. Maybe it has been caused by the students from the school that he goes to (kids can be very brutal). I suggest taking him to the doctor, and getting things sorted out.

Yes, it's possible he could be depressed (however depression in children typically looks different than in adults-- symptoms usually include irratability, anger, outbursts, etc.)

Also, the behavior should be persistant for at least two weeks, if you son is demonstrating relatively new behavior then it is probably not a mood disorder. If you feel the need to take him to a doctor, do not take him to your general practicioner, instead take him to a child psychologist or psychiatrist. Mood disorders are highly overdiagnosed and starting meds when not needed can be hazardous especially in children (as the drugs typically prescribed were not tested on that population). A psychologist is more likely to recommend behavioral therapy or counseling, whereas a psychiatrist is more likely to take a medicinal path.

Yes, depression can affect very young children. Make an appointment with his health care provider and tell him or her what you have said here. First, he needs a physical check-up to see whether anything is physically wrong. If not, the doctor can refer you to a child psychiatrist. This doctor may use talk or play therapy or some mild medication. It may take some time, but you are right to seek medical attention to help him.
Left untreated, people with depression are very likely to self-medicate to try to seek relief--this can be in the form of alcohol, drugs, or inappropriate behavior. Once this starts, it is much harder to fix and stay healthy. Please do not delay.

Maybe he is just playing a joke. You never know what kids could do.. If not then you could take him to the doctor and have a look at him. I don't think depression could be suffered from at the age of 5 like you said especially if there was no family history. Take him to the doctor and see whats wrong.

He might have autism. Or maybe you're not giving him enough love. Or maybe he's not giving his woweepop.

Depression can affect any age group. Physically there may be an underlying cause such as illness (tired all the time), or lack of certain nutrients in his food such as Vitamin B6 or Omega fatty acids (as found in Cod Liver Oil supplements) or lack of D3 (the sunshine vitamin). Lack of the protiens that control the brain's neurotransmitters.

There may be a situational cause. Is he being bullied? Is someone abusing him and threatening to hurt him if he tells you? Have you recently had a family event such as a divorce or death?

Is he having problems at school? Has he had a big disappointment? Does he feel alone or without friends? Start arranging playdates.

It's important to get to the bottom of the situation early. My neighbor had a child develop severe depression at a very young age and as an adolescent commited suicide.
It's never too early to begin to treat the depression and show him how to deal with the symptoms of it.