Too much time spent on Screens : I-pads, Smartphones, Video gaming, and watching television  is linked to heightened levels of anxiety and depression in children as young as two years old.

Children were seen to have less emotional stability, lower senses of control, greater inability to finish a task or follow directions and a lower sense of psychological well being among children, teens ,and adolescents  in another research study published in Prevention Medical Reports.

Those in the study that spent less than one hour on screen time vs those spending 7 hours on screen time were fifty percent less likely to suffer from anxiety and depressive disorders in a giant research study that used 40,000 plus youth data and reports.

Preschoolers that had more screen time than one hour (4) had more temper outbursts and forty six percent of pre school children were NOT able to calm down.

Curiosity diminished among youth eleven through thirteen with the more screen time. The more screen time above one hour correlated with less and less curiosity in life.

Studies show that time spent on screens is linked to poor shifts in brain connectivity compared to say reading. Studies show that screen time is connected to poorer language cognition as well as  poorer levels of behavioral or self control.

Changes were seen in the reward circuits of children and teenage adolescent brain, in the ratio of the neurotransmitter GABA to other neurotransmitters. Research shows social media taps into the brains addictive pathways.

Here are some more negative results of screen time for your child or teen whose brain is developing. Screens negatively impact children’s sleep. This is huge because sleep is connected with mood and performance and much more ( academic performance).

Screen time use is an identified factor in childhood obesity and teen obesity. Screen time can undermine learning for young children and babies.

Night time exposure to screens and LED devices : smart phones, Ipads, Video Games, computers etc suppresses melatonin and disrupts sleep!

Your child’s brain is in hyper mode and moving very rapidly when interacting with screens and video games and computers and smart phones. When your child or teenager is taken off their devices their brains are still moving a million miles a second. It will take your child a significant amount of time for his or her brain to adjust. Your child may be bouncing off walls in his unconscious attempt to find stimuli that is moving as fast as his brain.

Research shows a child’s vestibular system gets thrown off with screen time which is responsible for calmness and mood.

Our child may be great at playing video games however you must look at how their interpersonal relationships look like, their sports and music and other aspects of their life.

www.lifeworksaz.com has expertise working with children , teens and families to create health and balance and success in all aspects of life. www.Lifeworksaz.comhelps children, teens and parents with : Parenting, self esteem , social skills, mood regulation , anxiety management, anger management, Behavior Modification, depression management, sports mental training, and much more.

Many teenagers are feeling sad or down in the dumps or extremely stressed and anxious. Some adolescents are struggling with their friends at school. Children and adolescent teens are struggling to develop their place in society as well as form friendships and new relationships. Many Teenagers are struggling with communication with their parents at home. Children and teenagers are having great challenges with homework and obtaining passing grades . Many children and teens I work with keep their emotions inside and stuff them and this is dangerous. Many teens carry their emotional pain and do not know what to do with their pain. Your child and Teens emotional pain can ooze into  poor grades, defiant behaviors, conduct disorders, substance use , dependence , and abuse. Many teens are angry and will rage or act verbally abusive at home.  The bottom line is that your child is in pain and is out of balance and just find ways to manage his or her emotional pain and deal with their emotions on a daily basis so they can find health and success in their lives. A child’s emotional pain can transfer into depression and suicidal behaviors when not addressed Many teens begin to self harm and cut themselves to cope with their emotional pain and feelings that overwhelm them. Some adolescents act out with illegal behaviors or complete defiance.  Some children and Teenagers stuff their emotions with Media: Video games, Instagram, Snapchat, You Tube, Netflix, TV etc. Healthy communication and time spent with family and quality friends is essential for your child’s development.

Research shows a very high percentage of youth struggle with mental health problems however very few get help from professionals and many are afraid to express the need for professional help. Parents can be the yes and the ears for your child and notice unhealthy habits and red flags that indicate your child or teenager needs help. Some red flags but there are many more might be struggles with : communication in healthy ways, anger often, sad, down, thoughts of hurting self or others, marks from self harm, failing grades, struggles with friendships , struggles with family members, behavior issues, defiance, acting out behaviors at home or at school, illegal behaviors, alcohol or any substance use or abuse, vaping, smoking, poor sleep, limited exercise, not expressing thoughts and feelings to parents.

School is  a giant source of stress for a majority of children and teenagers and it is REAL! Many children do not feel like they can talk to their teachers or others at school. Many teachers are overwhelmed with one teacher for 30 plus students and they can not provide the support your child needs and it must come from the parent because the parent knows their child the best and can obtain professional support be it: Counseling or psychiatric help or emergency help at a hospital.

Many children are stressed about reaching academic success and feel a great deal of pressure regardless of the grades they obtain or their achievement scores.

Working with parents as well as the teen can create a supportive environment and can create desired change. If nothing is done than typically we get the same results. Lifeworks AZ has extensive experience working with families, and children and teenagers as well s working with : behavioral issues, Mood and anger issues, Anxiety and stress, Healthy life choices, Coaching, Depression, ADHD, and much more.

An international watch dog group for Psychiatric medications ( CCHR) would like child and teen psychiatrists to answer some very specific questions.

In a  nine year study 20,900 children and teens ages ten through eighteen years old were diagnosed with depression and were prescribed an antidepressant. The study found that the children and teens had FIVE times the suicide rate !

A Harvard Medical School Researcher stated that the above information is why the drugs, medications, have a black box WARNING on them! The group in Prague protested the use of these medications stating the gravely dangerous risk.

Depression affects one out of four youth worldwide and most people do not talk about it. It is a condition that can be treated by: counseling, medication, exercise, CBT therapy, positive thoughts and more.

Teens are afraid to talk about it for fear of a negative stigma from family, peers and friends however it is best to tell your parents or teachers or family so you can get the help you need and feel better !

In some countries over 25% of teens and adolescents suffer from a mental health disorder. The most common diagnosed disorders are anxiety disorders followed by depression and depressive disorders.

Teens are suffering from behavioral disorders and neuronal disorders like autism and aspergers, and Attention Deficit Hypercativity Disorder. Self harm and eating disorders and suicidal behavioral disorders as well. Oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorders occurred too.

Many children and teens with the above disorders never sought help due to the fear of a stigma.

Research shows that depression is not only a mental disorder. Depression impacts the entire immune system. Depression impacts the heart, sleep, appetite and mood.

There are many combinations of ways to address depression; cognitive behavioral therapy, counseling therapy, exercise, diet changes. There are antidepressants used and be aware of Black Box warnings. Research in the USA show that counseling and psychotherapy should be done with medication for best results.

Twenty years ago depression and other mental health disorders in children were almost unknown and overlooked. Many physicians doubted the existence of depression in children because they believed children lacked the mature psychological and cognitive structure to experience such problems. Depression in children has always been a difficult topic for society, and perhaps even healthcare professionals, to comprehend. Today, however, it is a stark reality today.

Social pressures and expectations are fuelling the rise of mental health problems in children. Childhood seems to be more stressful than ever due to a greater emphasis on exams and grades, the rise of social media and cyberbullying, and the media’s portrayal of body image. I have seen an increase in young clients, especially girls, with emotional problems often caused by increased pressure in the media and advertising to achieve an unrealistic body image, further perpetuated by social media. Girls as young as six are dieting and the number of schoolchildren at risk of emotional problems has risen greatly.

The number of children playing outdoors with friends after school has rapidly declined over the last decade as they spend more time on computers and social media. Young people are bombarded with images and advice from celebrities on how to achieve the “perfect body”. These pressures often cause young people to develop low self-esteem which can lead to depression. Between 10-25% of youth have a diagnosable mental health disorder according to researchers in UK.

Lifeworksaz.com: depression therapy Phoenix, Depression counseling Child Phoenix, Depression counseling Teens Phoenix, Depression Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Phoenix, Adolescent counseling depression Phoenix.

Psychotherapy is a process however it can give you tools to cope and manage your mood for challenging times and teach life coping skills.