depression treatment Comments (0)
At least seventeen million people around the world are affected by depression. This condition can affect people of all age groups including children. It is important for parents to be equipped with enough knowledge on the causes, symptoms and child depression treatment methods.
Children, especially teens go through phases of melancholy and bad moods. This is absolutely normal and nothing to worry about. It becomes a cause for concern when we detect symptoms of persistent feeling of sadness, guilt, inability to enjoy life or feel happy. These depressive tendencies start interfering with the child’s normal, day to day activities and then it is time to go in for child depression treatment.
Treatment itself varies according to the intensity of the condition in children. A child, who feels persistently depressed everyday and does not sleep or eat properly, is suffering from major depression. They are constantly irritated and sad.
Dysthymia is a milder feeling of being down in the dumps. Here, the child is frequently in a bad mood. However, he or she is able to function normally. Children suffering from Dysthymia usually go in for major depression in later stages.
Wild mood swings and disturbances, explosive temper and irritation are symptoms of bipolar disorder. Teens and small children affected by this condition exhibit symptom of anxiety, oppositional behavior, irritation and attention deficit disorders.
Depression in children may be due to various causes like low levels of neurotransmitters in the brain which makes a person feel restless and low. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that pass through the nervous system and carries signals. Cause for this may be genetic.
Child depression may also be the result of events in life including death of a close family member and breakup with a friend. If a child or a teen suffers from a chronic illness for a prolonged period of time, this may also lead to depression. It is important to diagnose the right reason for the depression and provide appropriate child depression treatment.
Psychotherapy is an effective treatment method for children. This can be administered either on its own or in combination with medications like antidepressants. Child depression treatment is effective with a combination of both.
A positive and healthy outlook towards life can be incorporated into children who suffer from depression with the cognitive behavioral therapy. Anti depressants are effective in children who do not respond well to therapy. It is essential continuing with treatment even after alleviation of symptoms to ensure depression does not relapse. Depression in children, therefore, as with a person of any age group can be cured completely if diagnosed on time and given treatment promptly.
Children can also be introduced to social support groups, therapies like yoga, meditation, etc which help them become strong from the inside. These therapies, if practiced on a regular basis are sure to strengthen their mind and get rid of unwanted negative thoughts and outlook. A supportive and understanding family is also essential to assist the child with a speedy recovery.
admin @ March 5, 2009
depression treatment Comments (0)
ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is quite common, in fact, affecting about one fourth of the adult population. Diagnosing ADHD is usually difficult as its symptoms co-exist with other conditions. Overlapping symptoms make it difficult to diagnose and administer ADHD depression treatment.
Depression in patients suffering from ADHD arises due to their frustration over inability or failure to perform well in daily life due to their condition. Combining both conditions, it was assumed that upon treating ADHD, the patient would naturally be cured of depression. Research has however proven that both ADHD and depression are two separate conditions and have to be treated accordingly.
In fact, there are indications that the medications given for ADHD fuels depression. This makes it difficult to differentiate between symptoms of depression arising out of these medicines and out of clinical depression.
The normal procedure followed by physicians and doctors for ADHD depression treatment is to treat the symptoms of depression before giving medication for ADHD. In other words, priority is given to treating depression rather than ADHD. There are certain doctors who believe however that both these conditions have to be treated simultaneously to ensure the treatment is successful.
If untreated or even undiagnosed, conditions which are similar to both can cause serious problems such as suicide, disorder in conduct, substance abuse and anti social/aggressive behavior. It is absolutely imperative for the patient’s physician, psychiatrist, therapist and psychologist to sit together and develop a comprehensive treatment plan customized based on the symptoms exhibited.
One of the popular ADHD depression treatment methods followed for patients with ADHD and depression is medication. These include the MAOI or Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRI and Tricyclics Antidepressants.
Another ADHD depression treatment option is to give the patient counseling or psychotherapy. This involves motivating the patient to take up activities based on his skill levels to improve his confidence and elevate symptoms he faces during his daily life. Counseling also teaches the patient how to handle the stress associated with depression. The best treatment would be to combine both therapy and medication.
Electro convulsive therapy is an ADHD depression treatment method that is shrouded in controversy. Electric current is passed through the patient by placing electrodes in his body, which causes him or her to have a seizure lasting for less than a minute. This treatment usually is associated with side effects such as temporary dysfunction of the memory as well as headache. It is important to ensure this treatment is administered by a qualified medical professional.
It is easy to diagnose ADHD induced depression and very important to start treatment immediately. Common symptoms of depression include emotional turbulence, disinterest in daily activities, violence, a feeling of hopeless frustration, a persistent feeling of guilt, low energy, suicidal tendencies, etc. Patients suffering from this condition also exhibit symptoms of physical aches and pains, change in patterns of eating and sleeping, persistent feeling of melancholia, imbalanced and disturbed thinking, etc.
Upon approaching a good doctor, he will administer one of the ADHD depression treatment methods that are suitable to the patient based on his symptoms and intensity of the condition. This is sure to put the patient on the road to recovery.
admin @ March 4, 2009