By Athlyn Green
If your teenager exhibited signs of teenage depression would you catch it? Teens present a baffling and complex picture, displaying attitudes and behaviors peculiar to youth. It might be difficult to recognize depression in your teenager because you may attribute his symptoms to teenage high jinks and experimentation, growing pains that you believe will pass.
Depression rates are rising, with a corresponding rise in depression during the teen years. What can contribute to or be a cause of teenage depression? Many factors influence the development of this disorder, ranging from hereditary influences to brain imbalances. Hormones and sleep cycles change dramatically during adolescence, which can make teens more vulnerable to major depression.
The important thing is to recognize what may be happening to your child and to seek appropriate treatment. Depression in teens is a serious disorder and it can have serious consequences.
Does your teenager need to see a doctor? Keep in mind that one in 8 teens suffers from depression and that, since the 1970's, teen suicide rates have tripled. Early intervention has been shown to reduce the risk of suicide. If your teenager has spoken about death or taking his own life, these statements could be signs of teenage depression.
Depression involves a sad mood that just does not go away. Negative thoughts and a sense of worthlessness can be accompanied by the belief that things will never get better. Depression distorts viewpoint. The sufferer focuses on disappointments and failures, blowing these out of proportion; however, an outside event, or a series of them, cannot be said to be a cause of teenage depression.
Your teen may forego social activities and spend long periods of time by himself. School attendance may have tapered off. His appearance may have undergone changes, as well. A link has been shown between depression in teens and the clothes or music they choose. Poetry from teenagers who took their own lives has shown nihilistic themes. Often a history of drug and alcohol use is discovered or the teen may have been cutting himself.
If you think your teen is showing signs of teenage depression, professional evaluation and treatment should be undertaken. If you have concerns about antidepressant medication, remember that most mental health professionals continue to recommend its use. The risks and benefits need to be weighed.
Modern treatment approaches offer alternative options that have been shown to be very effective. Natural remedies can offer hope by working to treat brain imbalances that may be a cause of teenage depression.
Potent, good quality supplements may include ginkgo biloba, shown to be an aid in concentration and in treating depression; chamomile, which can help to reduce anxiety; valerian, used to reduce anxiety and mood disorders, including depressive illnesses; and calcium and magnesium, which can help to alleviate physical and emotional stress. Other essential ingredients include beneficial vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes, specialty supplements and additional herbal extracts. All work to treat depression in teens.
Natural supplements are specifically formulated to improve and balance brain functioning. Essential nutrients help to restore damaged neurotransmitters and ease feelings of lethargy, negativity or anxiety, which can be signs of teenage depression.
Treating your teenagers depression is one of the greatest gifts you may ever give to him or her. It starts with identifying possible signs of teenage depression and then seeking appropriate and safe treatment so he or she may recover.
Children are one of life's greatest treasures. Of all the things we value most, our offspring are at the top of the list. They deserve a happy and healthy adolescence, one that is free of the distressing signs of teenage depression.
Athlyn Green is an avid health enthusiast with an interest in natural remedies for treatment of health disorders. She has contributed to Depression in Teens, a section of http://www.beat-your-depression.com dedicated to natural treatments and prescription drug alternatives for this disorder.
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