Q: My daughter, who is in college, came home and told us that she learnt that some scientists say that if you are born at certain times of the year, you are more likely to have a mental illness than if you are born at other times. Is this true?

A: There has been some information to suggest that persons may have a higher chance of developing some type of mental problems which are caused by the flu which may spread more during the cold season. The studies I have seen were done in developed countries. What we definitely know is that you are more likely to be mentally ill if there is a history of mental illness in your family and if you do not cope well with the different types of stress that you face daily.

Q: I saw where you wrote some time ago that children can be depressed. Can a two-year-old be depressed?

A: Childhood is usually identified by a happy time with little responsibility, lots of playing and just enjoying oneself. If a child does not show these behaviours, most of the times something is not right. You first will want to ensure that the child does not have a physical illness. A medical check-up must first be done. So, if your two-year-old is constantly whining, losing weight, not playing eagerly with others, especially other children, is clingy and has nightmares, you need to take this child to a child psychologist who may, through play therapy, identify why the child is showing these signs of depression.

Q: My neighbour says that my daughter, who is 19, is histrionic. What does this mean? My daughter is dramatic and sometimes goes into her shell. She has been like this since she started sixth-form. She is at home now and does not want to go out much. Please help me. I have tried to get her into counselling.

A: A person who is considered to have histrionic personality disorder usually presents with the following behaviours: He/she can change emotions quickly, be very concerned with his/her appearance, be inappropriate in his/her sexual seductiveness, and be uncomfortable when he/she is not the centre of attention, among other behaviours. Encourage her to be active in the things in which she shows interest. I recommend that you get a family member or close friend to encourage her to get counselling. Keep praying with and for her that she may get out of the present mental state that she is in.

Orlean Brown-Earle, PhD, is a child psychologist and family therapist. Dr Brown Earle works with children with learning and behaviour problems throughout the island and in the Caribbean. Email questions to helpline@gleanerjm.com or send to Ask the Doc, c/o The Gleaner Company, 7 North Street, Kingston.