Teenagers that experience low self-esteem, those who are very critical of themselves, and those who feel that they don't have any control or have little control over certain negative events are at risk to be depressed. It is also a known fact that teenage girls are more likely to experience adolescent depression compared to teenage boys should they go through a difficult time.
Some of the risk factors for adolescent depression involved include:
• Unstable care giving
• Weak social skills
• Chronic illnesses
• Sexual, mental and physical child abuse
• Genetic depression - family history of the disorder
• Loss of parent to divorce or death as well as other stressful life events
According to the DSM-IV-TR, adolescents and children tend to show more irritability, social withdrawal, and somatic complaints. Displays of melancholy and psychomotor retardation, as are marked with adults displaying symptoms of depression, do not tend to be prevalent in adolescents. Rather, adolescent depression can be marked by anger, confusion, fatigue, and loss of pleasure in normally pleasurable activities. Another feature of adolescent depression is that is effects males and females equally.
Psychotherapy is a very effective treatment for adolescent depression. It does not involve any side effects whatsoever. Psychotherapy also referred as "Talking therapy" Involves a depressed person and a specialist. Behavior, emotions and other things of a depressed person are focused under this treatment option. This treatment option may involve family and friends of depressed person as well as a part of whole psychotherapy process. Psychotherapy is considered as one of the premier Depression treatments. The cost of this treatment varies depending upon the accuracy of the specialist.
Alternative therapies such as Acupuncture, Acupressure, and specially designed exercise programs may benefit adolescent depression. You should check with your child's doctor before implementing any alternative therapies.
Herbal supplementation is all natural and has far fewer if any side effects than anti-depressants. If your child is taking any prescriptions for other health conditions, check with his/her doctor to be sure it's safe. The herbs are safe they just may reduce the effectiveness of some prescriptive medications and that could put your child at risk.
Kava kava is an excellent herbal antidepressant that helps improve relaxation in adolescent depression and anxiety sufferers. Many people attest to kava's wonderful benefits to help improve their mood and relieve their depression symptoms.
Grape Seed is an herb with antioxidant characteristics. It is most often used in the treatment of vascular diseases, Hypertension, Cancer, and Macular Degeneration. It may also be beneficial in other serious conditions as well.
Hops are often used to calm restlessness and reduce anxiety. It is also a tension reliever and eases irritability. It may also help insomnia. The only problem with Hops is that it could make depressive feelings worse. In a supplement however, that property is usually balanced out with mood booster herbs.
Passion Flower is an herb that relieves sleep problems and adolescent depression. It can help with nervousness and general pain relief. It is also beneficial in helping to regulate mood swings.
