Clinical depression is a medical illness caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that make a person constantly feel negative, unmotivated, sad, and aloof.
Depression can last for days, weeks, or even months. It can be caused by anxieties, certain situations, or nothing at all. Depressive disorder can affect people of any age, including teens and children.
Children and teens frequently suffer from depressive disorders, which leaves parents with lots of questions such as: why does it happen, and what treatments are available? The good news is that depression is treatable and some of the most effective depression therapies come in the form of Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques.
In the past, it was thought that adolescents could not be depressed, but the truth is depression affects people of all ages. Often, depression in children and teens is triggered by events such as a relationship breakup, illness, a loss in the family, changing schools, or abuse. Sometimes, depression has no external cause. Depression can be hereditary, meaning parents with depression are more likely to have offspring who experience depression.
There are several different forms of depression.
Most adolescents with depression have a form of major depression. This form interferes with the ability to enjoy life and engage in normal activities.
Some people may also have a milder form of depression called Dysthymia, which is a long-term form of depression with less severe symptoms than major depression.
A rarer but still common form of depression is manic-depression (bipolar disorder), which is characterized by mood shifts from extreme sadness to extreme happiness.
Depression can be a problem for young people because their symptoms are different from the symptoms adults typically have, making it more challenging to diagnose and treat. Often, children with depression will not feel sad or "depressed" as one would expect in adults. Constant irritability is usually one of the biggest signs of depression in children and teenagers. Depression symptoms may not be obvious, but may include constant sadness, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, and decreased interest in activities.
Children with depression may have trouble with schoolwork, have trouble making friends, or get in trouble by "acting up," a cry for attention. The effects are also pronounced for teens, who may abuse alcohol and drugs to escape their overwhelming feelings. Depression is not the sufferer's fault, but those with depression do have the power to get treatment and find out how to cope with their condition.
Depression treatments can range from counseling and therapy, to the use of antidepressant drugs.
Group psychotherapy can be beneficial for teenagers and children by providing a safe place to share their experience with their peers. Online services such as teen chat rooms can also provide a source of information for teen depression and serve as an outlet for the depressed.
Behavioral counseling can help teach people of all ages how to handle their depression. Therapy can help families understand what causes depression. Family counseling helps educate parents on depression and what they can do to help their child.
In some cases, antidepressants or antipsychotic medications are prescribed. This is only done under the careful supervision of a physician who will monitor the child's health and mental state. Even though people with severe depression may need to take antidepressants, these drugs can have undesirable side effects, especially in children and teens, who are still developing. This is why therapy, understanding and support from parents and professional counselors, and the use of treatments that help young people learn how to cope with their own depression are seen as better for helping children with depression.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practices can be used to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. They help people come up with safe and positive coping strategies for dealing with depression. It works for people of all ages because it is non-invasive, doesn't require the use of any drugs, and is an effective form of self-help.
One NLP technique used to combat depression is known as the NLP Flash.
This technique trains your mind to use the thoughts that create stress and depression as triggers for thoughts that eliminate depression instead. It is a technique that even young people can learn to use to help them manage their depression.
People who are diagnosed with depression need not suffer. Therapy can help the depressed of all ages find relief. NLP techniques are ideal for helping children and their families handle tension and depression. These treatments can diminish or even eliminate depression in anyone.
Alan B. Densky, CH is an NGH certified hypnotist. He's helped thousands of clients since 1978. He offers CDs for self-hypnosis depression therapy. Visit his Neuro-VISION NLP website for the hypnosis article repository, or watch his free videos on hypnosis.
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