Treatment options for children with depression are similar to those for adults, including psychotherapy (counseling) and medicine . The role that family and the child’s environment play in the treatment process is different from that of adults. Many primary care physicians’ may suggest psychotherapy/ counseling first, and consider antidepressant medicine as an additional option if there is no significant improvement. Currently, there are no good studies documenting the effectiveness of medicine over psychotherapy in children.

There is a lot of controversy about using medication with children. Children and teens are still developing and hormones are rapidly changing. The FDA has warnings on antidepressant medications in that it increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents.

Children with bipolar disorder are usually treated with psychotherapy, counseling, and a combination of medicines, usually an antidepressant and a mood stabilizer. Use of an antidepressant alone can trigger bouts of mania.

The FDA has determined that antidepressant medications increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents with depression and other psychiatric disorders.

Many parents prefer counseling with a specialist that does counseling and psychotherapy with children, teens, and adolescents. Counseling and psychotherapy are natural methods to treat mood and behavior. Family counseling is a part of the process. It is important for parents to be a part of the process.

Teen suicide is the number three leading cause of death for adolescents after accidents and homicides.In N California four teens stepped in front of trains within a 6 month period which all resulted in suicide.

It is important to check in with your child or teen daily and find out how they are feeling daily. If you do not do this you leave the door open for a child or teens pain to ooze out in unhealthy ways: anger, drugs, alcohol, addiction, depression, anxiety, and more…The only way to do so is to ask and to listen. Parents should use empathy and attempt to understand their child or teens “issues’, challenges, pain, sadness,and anger.

There are many red flags for teen depression for parents to be aware of: child or teen displays hostility, withdraws into room, does not want to talk, isolates, feels hopeless, isolates, grades drop, low energy, sleeps to little, sleeps to much, decreased interest in activities, can not enjoy previously enjoyable activities, a change in eating habits, talks about running away from home, suicidal thoughts or talk, self destructive behavior, cutting self, physical complaints , physical illnesses, irritability, feeling rejected, feeling guilty,low self esteem and more. These are just a few signs that may indicate your child is depression or suffering from depression.

Counseling and psychotherapy with a professional that specializes in teen and adolescent counseling and family counseling is an important step to help your child or teen. Some parents prefer medication management only, however, most experts state counseling should go hand in hand with medication.

Here are some important elements to help your child or teenager with ADD or ADHD:

1. Create a daily schedule for your child or teen with specific chores and daily duties. Place the chart where your child or teen can see the list( back of the door, refrigerator, bathroom mirror etc)

2. Parents will simplify directions: ex: please come to the table instead of I want you to do A, B, C, D.

3. Gross motor movements: get your child and teen involved in exercise and sports daily( the more intense the better).

4. Progressive Relaxation and meditation

5. Imagery and visualization

6. Prepare your child and teen between activities with a time line.

Teen depression needs to be taken seriously.Approximately fifteen percent of teenagers and adolescents suffer from depression.

Teenagers that have experienced: divorce, deaths, illness, abuse, trauma in the home, lots of fighting and disruptions, family history of drugs and alcohol, history of depression or mental health issues, neglect, violence, parents that are unavailable are at a higher risk for depression.

There are many forms of treatment for depression. A research based technique to treat depression is called cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at unhealthy and distorted thoughts and helps change them to healthier positive thoughts. It is a powerful form of therapy. Family therapy and family counseling is also extremely beneficial. looking at what is working at home and what is not, roots of the teens behaviors, making healthy life choices, balancing fun with responsibility and respect in the home. Meds are used in treatment as well.

Counseling and psychotherapy will teach your child healthy ways to: regulate their mood, manage anger, look at healthy life choices, create healthy relationships, communicate effectively with family and peers, build self esteem , develop social skills, connect with the family and create an environment for a health family and develop skills to become a healthy young woman and healthy young man.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for mental health disorders plans on adding internet addiction in 2012. Experts state that internet addiction in children and teens may become the most abundant disease in the future.

Internet addiction is linked to children and teens with: depression, ADD, ADHD, Anger issues, Fears and phobias, poor social skills, low self esteem and more.

Boys appear to be at higher risk than girls of internet addiction. internet addiction among teens and adolescents is between 2%- and 18% according to research by the national science council of taiwan on health.com.

Do not underestimate the importance of sleep for your Teenager. A recent research study looking at sleep and depression among adolescents and teens shows a huge relationship between mood depression, and sleep.

Teens that did not get 8-9 hours of a sleep per night were far more likely to be diagnosed as depressed or suffering from depression.

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Taking care of ones body through adequate sleep as well as exercise and a healthy diet is essential.

Teens can display depression in a number of ways. There are many ways a teen can display depression:

Feeling blue

Feeling sad

Talking about Death

Talking about suicide

Change in School grades

Change in Friendships

Communication is shut down

Communicates in one to two word responses

Crying

Isolating in room.

Avoiding friends and family

Change in sleeping habits

Changes in eating habits

Change in previously enjoyed activities

Physical complaints

Headaches

Stomach aches

Acting out Behaviors

Angry explosive anger hostility

Talking back

Defiance

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The above are just some of the red flags that a child or teen is depressed or suffering from a low self esteem. The teen or child may be in psychological pain and may be suffering.