Have you ever imagined why so many children and teens are undergoing depression? No, this is not the case of something like “blue” that each one is facing now and then. These children are struggling to overcome their feelings of depression or loneliness. Right from their school to the extracurricular activities , this is the only reason that has disrupted their relationship with peers and family.
We are continuously bombarded by news of suicide which stands a proof that preteens are on depression or anxiety medication. The suicide rate in adolescent is rising every year with numbers tripling in last 15 years for kids aging 10-14. More kids are dying from suicide rather than from motor vehicle accident .
So what should you look for when it comes to our children and the symptom of depression?
- Mood Swings
- Over Eating/ Under Eating
- Fatigue
- Loo Concentration
- Feelings of worthlessness/sadness/
- Drop in Grade
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Fits/ Anger of Crying
- Increased Sensitivity
- Suicidal Thoughts
Do not hesitate to consult a doctor if you think your children are depressed. Give them as much support as you can, because that is probably the best therapy that they will be requiring from you. Remember, Adolescent depression affects the whole family and of course you must be having a doctor who will find out the actual reason behind the suffering of the child. If you don’t have that doctor , start looking !
NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR CHILDREN AND TEEN DEPRESSION
Talk to your child – Try to figure out if anything is going in their life that is stressing them . This could be bullying, divorce, rejection or something like sexual abuse that they feel reluctant and heavy at heart to share.
Change their Diet- Vitamin B6 is an important factor for serotonin , so change the diet of your kids and add B6 more as they manufacture essential Vitamins that help with boosting mood.
Exercise- This is a huge mood booster. Observe if your child is interested in physical activities or they are missing out on these . The reason is very simple “Exercise has a wonderful effect on the mood”.
Vitamin D – This is essential to happiness and mental health. There are chances that children may suffer from Seasonal effective Disorder in winter due to lack of Vitamin D.
Massage Theraphy- Let your child go for a massage theraphy a couple of times a month and spend some time together.
Reduce Stress and Sugar- If you talk to them and discover some reasons for their depression , help them to try solve some of their stresses with meditation. Sugar weakens immune response and is a major key to depression and needs to go way down.
Magnesium- Use a magnesium spray and ask them to apply it daily since magnesium deficiency is linked to depression.
Get them a Pet – Animal friend is a wonderful therapy. So volunteer for it and get them a pet so that that can share their emotions and stay happy.
While you start to get a supportive network , ensure you do all the above mentioned things for your child if you find him/her depressed.
Children are the Smile for their Parents and its you who can get back their Smile..
