The more research based skills your child or teen can learn to manage their “ mental health disorder” the greater chance your child or teen will be able to find balance and manage their disorder.

Research shows that medication alone is not as effective alone and that counseling and therapy is vital for best results.

Children and teens and adolescents can learn to communicate their thoughts and their feelings in healthy ways. Many emotional disorders and behavioral disorders have at it’s root unhealthy or distorted thoughts that a child or teen plays in their mind throughout the day sometimes thousands of times a day. It is this programming in their head that has to be addressed before big changes can be observed.

For example a child, adolescent , teen, on ADHD medication may show improvement in their behavior, however, keep in mind the medication does not eliminate your child or teen’s thoughts. Your child or teenager with ADHD may have a defiant thought like” I do not want to do chores, homework, etc”. It is these thoughts that override a pill or medication. A child w a diagnosis of ADHD may get out of their seat or talk in class and these behaviors can be modified through counseling and behavioral modification therapy. No medication will keep your child in his or her seat if the child wants to get out of the seat…well a dose that puts them to sleep might keep them in their seat, however, they will not be alert and awake and able to learn in the classroom.

There are a number of research based counseling and therapy skills a child can learn like cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness as well as others that will help. A parent can learn new skills including CBT ( Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) as well as parenting tips and techniques to improve outcomes.  Behavior modification is one program that a parent can learn with a skilled mental health teen and child practitioner to set goals and create desired change at home as well as in school and in other areas of a child and adolescent teens life.

Keep in mind behaviors are created over years and we must make changes in order to modify negative behaviors and increase positive behaviors with your child and teen.

There are many other things your child or teen can do to help create desired change. Always look at a child or teens eating habits and the health of their diet’s. Diet can impact mood and behaviors in a huge way.

How much sleep your child or teen adolescent is obtaining is vital for growth and mood as well as behaviors. Many children are up late on smart phones or playing video games etc and this is impacting their mood, anger, etc. Parents can help out by setting limits with their child or teen on screen time. Many children and teens can not fall asleep due to the light emitted from screens . This is also research based in studies done with children and adolescent teens.

 A Child that is suffering with a mood disorder can help their mood by daily exercise. A child or teen should be encouraged to exercise > A child or teen can : bike, walk, swim, shoot basketball, dance to a work out video, go to the gym, sign up for club sports, shoot hoops, etc. The healthy activities should be done before access to video games etc. Video games are addictive and screen time use correlates with depressed mood and anxiety as well as behavioral issues.

Creating balance and a win win situation is vital for peace and reduced stress at home. Healthy stress coping skills is vital as well. Learning ways to express feelings and understand feelings is important instead of stuffing feelings. Understanding the connection of thoughts to feelings and behavior is important  to create desired change and build self esteem as well as learn healthy life skills in all children and adolescent teenagers.

www.lifeworksaz.com has worked with a huge array of children and teen issues and family issues over 15 years in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Chandler, Mesa, Goodyear Arizona. You can read testimonials from experts in the field as well as from numerous mom’s and Dad’s in relation to his work at www.lifeworksaz.comChild counsel

Many teens lie to their parents for a number of reasons. One reason adolescent teens lie is simply because they do not want to lose a phone, get in trouble, get yelled out etc. Some adolescent teens lie to avoid feelings of shame or guilt because they do  not want to look bad in the yes of the adult or parent etc. There are teenagers that will lie to protect their friends from getting into trouble, making suspended at school, or grounded by their peers parents and that would impact them being able to spend time with their friend. Many teens are simply not comfortable with dealing with feelings and their own emotions that arise when talking about a specific issue. If they can lie then they do not have to address the emotion they may be uncomfortable with such as: anger, sadness, fear, embarrassment, guilt, loneliness, shame etc. There are many adolescent teens that will tell stories to impress their peers and hence tell white lies or non truths to feel accepted by peers and feel they are not acceptable unless they tell an interesting story etc. many adolescents will not share their lives with their parents for fear they will be judged, criticized, or that their parents will not affirm their choices so they might as well keep it to themselves.

Children and teens are constantly stressed about school work and homework and test and grades and fitting in with peers at school and in other extracurricular activities. Children spend an excessive amount of time on social media and are barraged with negative news and views of the world. Finding ones meaningful path and truest path can be overwhelming when children and teens are so stressed out regarding other areas of life.

Many children and teens begin to slip into depression without hope or motivation due to unhealthy world views and irrational thoughts about themselves and their future. It is vital to look at our thoughts that are healthy and unhealthy and organize those thoughts in a healthy way so we can see clearly like a clear lens on a camera. Good work can not come with a blurry sense in your photos on your iPhone or your Cannon SLR Camera etc.

It is important to understand our feelings and be able to express them in healthy ways. If we do not learn how to express thoughts and feelings in healthy ways they will ooze out in many unhealthy ways. One way that unhealthy thoughts spill out is anger and rage and aggression. This can end up in unhealthy relationships with your family and friends as well as peers and can end up in an assault or battery charge due to the inability to control these feelings and thoughts.

If we avoid our feelings and thoughts it can likely end up in masking them through addictive behaviors: alcohol, weed, cannabis, vaping, wax, edibles, and hard drugs as well and more unhealthy addictive behaviors as well.

Many teens suffer from the above issues as well as mental health issues. Managing mental health is more than just learning healthy communication and understanding thoughts and feelings for children and teenagers. It is vital to look at all aspects of your child or teens life. What is the quality of his or her eating habits. How often are they eating and what are they eating? Are they skipping meals?

Many children and teenagers are not getting enough sleep due to technology addiction. I see youth from 6-18 and many are using their: I Pad, Smart Phone, Video Games, TV, Netflix, You tube, social media, snapchat, instagram, and texting till the early morning hours. How can a child due well in school or obtain peak performance when sleep deprived.

Estimates are that over 5 million children and teens suffer from depression and or depressive symptoms . Children and teens can suffer from clinical depression and it is not rare. The death rate has tripled from suicide among youth ages 10-24 in the past ten years.

Many children and teens suffer from some type of anxiety disorder: separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, Panic attacks, Phobias, Social anxiety, and more. Estimates are that over 6 million youth suffer from anxiety. We have the highest rate of anxiety ever on record in children and teenagers. Over seventy percent of children and teenagers say anxiety and depression are serious problems in their schools and or community.

Mental health plays a huge role in one’s quality of life for children, teens, and adults: Emotions, actions, motivation and productivity are directly affected by it. The sooner a parent or child or teen recognizes they are depressed or anxious or out of balance than they can can mental health help from a professional in the field.

I have written many blog articles on the association between increased screen time and lower psychological well being in children and teens. many adults think of TV , however, the addictive nature and amount of interaction and the exposure youth are seeing on the internet and social media is overwhelming and not easy to comprehend or digest. Children and teens are spending more time than you are working on their devices and more time than they are in school on their devices each week and this is a huge issue for society.

Children and teens are in their rooms and are not interacting face to face with parents and developing healthy communication skills. Limiting electronics is vital if you want to develop healthy relationships as well as create a successful balanced and healthy child or teenager.

LifeworksAZ.com has been working with children , teens, and parents for: ADHD, ANXIETY, Anger Management skills Behavioral issues, Communication skills, Depression, Social skills, Self esteem,Parenting tips, Sports peak performance and more. Contact David Abrams MAPC LPC CAGS he has worked with youth and families for over 15 years in Phoenix, Scottsdale Arizona.

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.

There are many factors that can contribute to anxiety or anxiety disorders: obsessive compulsive disorders, Panic disorders, social anxiety, Phobias, general anxiety, Panic attacks, PTSD Post traumatic stress disorders and more.

It is important to look at many elements in an individuals life: medications, factors during inception and birth, environmental factors, Drugs, marijuana, alcohol, Stressors, Trauma from the past ( emotional, physical, mental), sleep, diet, daily habits, negative cognitions daily, genetics in the family from Mom and Dad as well as other family members and their traumas as well.

Many practitioners give meds without addressing the root causes of the anxiety. It is important to look at all the above and more in order to create the best plan to reduce anxiety. I have worked with anxiety disorders for over 15 years and have seen a combination of many elements that exacerbate anxiety disorders. It is vital to look at all the above areas in order to really manage your child’s anxiety or your anxiety as best as possible. Not looking at sleep for example and treating the disorder without a change in sleep will most likely not be very successful since sleep is an important element in mood disorders.

Brain experts believe a diet that is heavy in inflammation food consumption and low in healthy fats affects the risk of obtaining anxiety or anxiety disorders. Anxiety is extremely high in those with high sensitivity to gluten.

Medication is used to treat ADHD , however, research shows that it also leads to anxiety disorders, as well as other symptoms including but not limited to addiction.

There are many tools an anxiety client can learn in order to manage an anxiety disorder be it panic attacks, phobias, generalized anxiety, PTSD, etc.

Some of the research based tools in counseling psychology to manage anxiety are: EMDR, DBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Progressive Relaxation, VMBR, Exposure therapy, and mindfulness.

Child anxiety is stressful and painful for families. Activities that once were enjoyable are avoided and parents hear complaints of stomach problems, and various aches and pains, headaches and more. Learning ways to cope with anxiety is important. It is a fine balancing act however avoiding school and avoiding sleeping alone and avoiding new things is not creating a balance for your child or teenager. Forcing a child may be overwhelming and can be a failed approach as well. It is important that parents understand that anxiety can be debilitating and your child may no be manipulating and may not be lazy.

Many children that have behavioral issues like oppositional defiance or conduct disorders also have underlying anxiety that they do not know how to handle or identify. Learning skills to manage anxiety is vital to you child’s success socially as well as academically and behaviorally and emotionally. Most children can not articulate what is going on inside their bodies and minds. They must learn skills and tools to address their anxiety.

Some children can manifest itself in different ways. One way might be to avoid situations that are uncomfortable. Another way might be to escape the situation and this can be seen or perceived as oppositional or defiant when it is really fear based. Behavioral dysregulation is common with children and teens that have anxiety disorders: panic attacks, phobia, social anxiety, PTSD, Post traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorders , obsessive compulsive disorder and other anxiety disorders.

Children that display temper tantrums, behavioral problems at school, throw things at school, throw themselves down and cry and have full blown outburst may have a profound anxiety disorder however this needs to be assessed by a professional. Anxiety disorders need to be assessed and treated by a professional in mental health care.

Academic pressure and demands in the classroom can trigger anxiety and this will look like disruptive behaviors. The child may feel overwhelmed and anxious and not be able to cope with the teachers request or the assignment. The child might be intelligent however he or she may have a learning challenge or trouble with the task and feel overwhelmed hence unable to do the task and act out behaviorally.

Most teachers are not trained in identifying anxiety disorders and a child or teenager typically will end up in suspension or in the Principals office being punished. This does not address the underlying issue that may be an anxiety disorder.

A child that is diagnosed with ADHD may have an anxiety disorder instead that looks like: impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention however this needs to be evaluated by a professional. A lot of times individuals jump to ADHD diagnosis when really the child or teen is suffering with an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder may be primary and for example ADHD is secondary or it may be the other way around. There are a number of other diagnosis as well that may be co-occuring with a child or teens anxiety.

It is important to find a professional that has daily experience working with children and teens . Children and teens can learn tools and skills to manage and cope with anxiety and other disorders. Parents can learn skills as well to help create success and balance in your child’s life. David Abrams MAPC, LPC, CAGS has over 15 years experience working with families and youth treating anxiety disorders. Lifeworksaz.comhas testimonials and more information.

I see children and teens weekly that are depressed and yes there are many factors that contribute to depression, however, one researched subject correlates with how much time children and teens are spending on the internet. Children and teens are being impacted physically and emotionally and mood wise by the amount of time they are spending on the internet . Many children and teens spend 50-80 hours on the internet and it is not because they are doing homework or studying. Your child is not only playing video games that impact mood and are correlated with mood issues they are watching others playing violent video games more than most people work in an average week. You might say your child or teen does not play violent video games.

Even if your child is not playing violent video games they are watching peoples lives via social media and many children are suffering socially and in interpersonal relationships. Children and teens are not learning skills to interview for jobs or interact with peers or make friendships as they hide behind their computer and spend less and less time with family and friends.

Why would children do homework or work when they have DisneyWorld in their room. Infinite entertainment that is hijacking their brains with rewards from clicks.

The internet and video games use psychological behavioral cues too keep your child clicking.. Clicking is revenue to advertisers and to corporations and the companies use research based psychological rewards that keep your child and teen and adults on the internet. The issue with children is their brains are developed and they need humans interactions and development first not clicks.

Many children and teens will not get involved in healthy activities like: basketball, football, baseball, karate, softball, dance, golf, volleyball, running, track and field, biking, hiking for any activity because they can sit in their room and receive a rush or dopamine by playing games or clicking on social media. I have had clients that love sports and music stop attending music lessons or sporting events only to watch video games in the hope they can some day make a living playing video games. The reality is that very few make money playing video games and children need a back up plan! It is like a child wanting to play NBA basketball. There are only 450 players in the world. So if there are 6 Billion people in the world only 450 make it. The odds are not in a child or teens favor.

Below are many articles on research and the negative impact of excess social media and internet use on youth including video gaming. I hope you will take sometime to read this before its too late!

Study after study from Research journals and medical experts show that limiting social media is important for children and teens mental health. Researchers have looked at the relationship between social media and : Grades at school, family communication, social skills, Depression, Anxiety, and Self Esteem and much more.

Reductions in depression and loneliness were seen in a recent study with just a thirty minute reduction in social media for adolescents and children. Research shows a reduction in social media actually helped reduce loneliness and anxiety.

A huge research study in the UK using over 1500 youth showed negative impacts of social media: poor sleep habits, comparing self to others, low self esteem, poor self image, increase in anxiety and more.

Your child will have more balance is their lives if they spend time with family members communicating face to face, communicating with peers face to face, playing sports or involvement in physical activities or sports,  joining clubs and organizations, altruistic clubs, after school extracurricular activities and more.

Children and teens are spending a majority of their time on : instagram, snapchat, online, Video gaming, texting and watching tv and movies. It is not against the law to be doing so however in my office I find most children are out of balance.

Your child has the potential for more mood disorders: depression and anxiety. Your child is learning about violence and anger in most video games that reinforces violence and that is frequent and intense. Your child has the potential for sleep disorders and lost sleep due to too much use of electronic media. Your child is exposed to unhealthy behaviors. Your child is not learning about exercise or learning social skills and interactive skills that are needed for life and for employment. Your child is not doing a lot of homework or is avoiding studying because they have an entertainment center 24-7.

There are many things parents can do o create balance in a child and teens life and one is limiting exposure to the above at a very high level. Below is more info on children and social media.

Children and teens are using social media to express their deep feelings and fears at times and even let people know they are planning suicide. Parents and friends should not assume they are posting for attention. Recently two teens killed themselves in Colorado after posting suicide plans on their social media accounts . It was to late and they passed.

Children and teenagers need a safe and supportive individual to discuss their daily lives, stress, and problems. www.lifeworksaz.com

has been working with youth and families for over 15 years in Phoenix and Scottsdale Arizona. The trauma is great for a teen who loses a friend to suicide.

Social media has created more connections with a click as an alleged friend however it has created fewer relationships that are real where a child or teen can talk to a real loving and supportive advocate.

Children and teens are communicating through : instagram, snapchat, Face book, and more and many times they want people to know how they feel and so they post it.

Child and teen depression is real. Many children and teens have taken their lives due to depression.

Children feel : sad, lonely, and have pain and stress just like adults, however, many children do not have the skills and maturity or the tools to cope with depression.

Experts state social media does not bring people together and many times it simply isolates youth and young adults. Using more than two hours of social media per day doubled the chances a youth or young adult would fill lonely or isolated.

Many children and teens are depressed or have signs of depression. Many children and teens are struggling with : family issues, divorced families, academics, blended families, low self esteem, poor social skills, peer pressure, hormonal changes, grief and loss. Many times teens will stuff their thoughts and feelings . Some teens hide in their room and avoid communication. Some teens are on their Smart Phones, TV, Netflix, and Video games. Too much of anything is not ok and parents can ask themselves is my son or daughter in balance or out of balance with their habits? Below is a story of a Tempe Teen that was depressed and it ended tragically. The good news is there are signs of depression and the sooner one gets help the better. After the article there is a list of some red flags your child may be depressed. There are experts in treating child and teen depression through counseling and therapy and other treatments.

I have worked with thousands of teens with depressed moods and depression. Moving to a new school, change, academic pressure, not getting along with mom or Dad, negative thinking, low self esteem, social dynamics, past challenges are being carried around by children and teens and these items need to be addressed to create health and balance.

A tragedy happened at a Tempe, Arizona High school yesterday . A student athlete committed suicide at a Tempe High school not far from Arizona State University.

Teen and child depression is on the rise and can not be ignored. Depression is not an adult disorder . Millions of children and teen adolescents feel depressed and there are a slew of reasons today that impact a child or adolescents mood.

A child or teen does not have to have had a traumatic childhood in order to be depressed . A teen can have loving parents and spiritual parents and feel depressed.

Setting limits and boundaries and requiring family interaction is vital . Spending one on one time with your teen is important and will help find out what is going on in their lives . Make it a requirement before they use their : video games , computers , smart phones etc . Schedule one on one time with each child and this lets them know they are important as well as they are more likely to share information with you than in front of the whole family . Most children will not share their true pain or depressed mood in front of the whole family or at dinner .

I find wonderful children and teens that have very negative thought processes about.

The best approach is to have someone who works w children and parents guide you to help create balance and learn tools to manage depression , anxiety , self esteem, family issues and more .

Teens face a myriad of pressures , from changes in development to questions about who they are and where they are going w peers, school, and their future. The natural transition toward adulthood can bring parental challenges and conflict as the adolescent teen pushes for their independence .

It is not simple to differentiate between depression and teen mood swings . Some teens that are depressed are not sad or withdrawn . Many depressed teens are angry , full of rage , defiant, and irritable and this may be depression.

Some signs of depression in teens are: sadness , hopelessness , irritability , anger , hostility , frequent crying or tears , withdrawal from family and friends, loss of interest in activities , change in eating habits or sleep habits , agitation, restless , guilt, worthless feelings , concentrating issues , thought of death, suicidal thoughts and more.

It is best to have a professional assessment from a professional who has expertise in teen and children .

There are many signs that may indicate your teen is down or depressed or is suffering from depression.

Some red flags that should not be ignored are: sadness , crying, tearfulness, hopelessness, a decrease in activities , inability to enjoy activities that were enjoyable.

Low energy, isolation, poor communication and a lack of connection w family and friends is a sign that something is going on that needs attention. Increased irritability and anger and rage are common w depressed children and teens.

Physical complaints : stomach aches , pain , etc are signs your teenmay be depressed. Changes in sleeping habits and or eating patterns is a red flag as well .

Self destructive behaviors, suicidal thoughts, self harming, drug andalcohol abuse are signs your child need help asap!

Parents should seek professional help if any of the above are going onas soon as possible. Depression is a very serious condition that impacts : thoughts, mood,

and behaviors. Teen depression can be treated .

Teens face many stressors and pressures. Transitioning from child to an adult. Figuring out who they are and what they want to do with life . Hormonal changes and wanting to fit in socially are just a few. Teens with depression do not always appear sad. Many teens display anger and irritability and aggression. Long lasting changes in mood, behavior, personality are all huge red flags that your teen needs professional help.

Some common symptoms for teen depression are: hopelessness , sad, blue, loss of interest in activities, withdrawal from friends and family , crying and frequent tears, changes in eating , changes in sleeping, agitation , restlessness, little motivation , lack of energy or excitement , fatigue , difficulty concentrating , thoughts of death , suicide or self harm.

There are many excellent counseling tools to help elevate mood and treat depression. CBT therapy looks at unhealthy thoughts that have no facts to support them and how these thoughts impact mood. DBT has a few elements: awareness/mindfulness, distress tolerance/mood regulation, interpersonal effectiveness. These are all research based and evidence based counseling techniques that have been used for decades with positive results. There are many other effective techniques that can be used to create health and balance for your child or teenager.

www.LifeworksAz.com  has a specialization in child and teen depression counseling and therapy, child adolescent counseling, family counseling, family therapy in Phoenix Arizona, Scottsdale Arizona and serves valley wide

www.lifeworksaz.com

Child and teen depression is real. Many children and teens have taken their lives due to depression.

Children feel : sad, lonely, and have pain and stress just like adults, however, many children do not have the skills and maturity or the tools to cope with depression.

Experts state social media does not bring people together and many times it simply isolates youth and young adults. Using more than two hours of social media per day doubled the chances a youth or young adult would fill lonely or isolated.

Many children and teens are depressed or have signs of depression. Many children and teens are struggling with : family issues, divorced families, academics, blended families, low self esteem, poor social skills, peer pressure, hormonal changes, grief and loss. Many times teens will stuff their thoughts and feelings . Some teens hide in their room and avoid communication. Some teens are on their Smart Phones, TV, Netflix, and Video games. Too much of anything is not ok and parents can ask themselves is my son or daughter in balance or out of balance with their habits? Below is a story of a Tempe Teen that was depressed and it ended tragically. The good news is there are signs of depression and the sooner one gets help the better. After the article there is a list of some red flags your child may be depressed. There are experts in treating child and teen depression through counseling and therapy and other treatments.

I have worked with thousands of teens with depressed moods and depression. Moving to a new school, change, academic pressure, not getting along with mom or Dad, negative thinking, low self esteem, social dynamics, past challenges are being carried around by children and teens and these items need to be addressed to create health and balance.

A tragedy happened at a Tempe, Arizona High school yesterday . A student athlete committed suicide at a Tempe High school not far from Arizona State University.

Teen and child depression is on the rise and can not be ignored. Depression is not an adult disorder . Millions of children and teen adolescents feel depressed and there are a slew of reasons today that impact a child or adolescents mood.

A child or teen does not have to have had a traumatic childhood in order to be depressed . A teen can have loving parents and spiritual parents and feel depressed.

As a safety measure parents should lock up all pills , medications , guns, knives , blades , weapons at all times regardless of a child’s mood. Parents should lock up all alcohol as well . Parents should monitor social media, smart phones , video game dialogue , texting , and be as involved as they can with their child or teen . Some parents would say it is an invasion of privacy however better safe than sorry . Children state they are excelling in the classroom and passing all classes however parents must still verify and look at report cards and look at missing homework assignments. Teens spend a lot of time w electronic devices and those that are in their room and not communicating daily with parents . They must get off these devices and communicate with parents about their day in detail . If not a parent has no idea why is going on mentally , physically , and emotionally with ones children .

Setting limits and boundaries and requiring family interaction is vital . Spending one on one time with your teen is important and will help find out what is going on in their lives . Make it a requirement before they use their : video games , computers , smart phones etc . Schedule one on one time with each child and this lets them know they are important as well as they are more likely to share information with you than in front of the whole family . Most children will not share their true pain or depressed mood in front of the whole family or at dinner .

I find wonderful children and teens that have very negative thought processes about themselves . Children that are excellent students and athletes still can be very depressed . Many suffer from low self esteem and many suffer from social or peer challenges . Many are depressed about family dynamics and school pressures.

The best approach is to have someone who works w children and parents guide you to help create balance and learn tools to manage depression , anxiety , self esteem, family issues and more .

Teens face a myriad of pressures , from changes in development to questions about who they are and where they are going w peers, school, and their future. The natural transition toward adulthood can bring parental challenges and conflict as the adolescent teen pushes for their independence .

It is not simple to differentiate between depression and teen mood swings . Some teens that are depressed are not sad or withdrawn . Many depressed teens are angry , full of rage , defiant, and irritable and this may be depression.

Some signs of depression in teens are: sadness , hopelessness , irritability , anger , hostility , frequent crying or tears , withdrawal from family and friends, loss of interest in activities , change in eating habits or sleep habits , agitation, restless , guilt, worthless feelings , concentrating issues , thought of death, suicidal thoughts and more.

It is best to have a professional assessment from a professional who has expertise in teen and children .

There are many signs that may indicate your teen is down or depressed or is suffering from depression.

Some red flags that should not be ignored are: sadness , crying, tearfulness, hopelessness, a decrease in activities , inability to enjoy activities that were enjoyable.

Low energy, isolation, poor communication and a lack of connection w family and friends is a sign that something is going on that needs attention. Increased irritability and anger and rage are common w depressed children and teens.

Physical complaints : stomach aches , pain , etc are signs your teenmay be depressed. Changes in sleeping habits and or eating patterns is a red flag as well .

Self destructive behaviors, suicidal thoughts, self harming, drug andalcohol abuse are signs your child need help asap!

Parents should seek professional help if any of the above are going onas soon as possible. Depression is a very serious condition that impacts : thoughts, mood,

and behaviors. Teen depression can be treated .

Teens face many stressors and pressures. Transitioning from child to an adult. Figuring out who they are and what they want to do with life . Hormonal changes and wanting to fit in socially are just a few. Teens with depression do not always appear sad. Many teens display anger and irritability and aggression. Long lasting changes in mood, behavior, personality are all huge red flags that your teen needs professional help.

Some common symptoms for teen depression are: hopelessness , sad, blue, loss of interest in activities, withdrawal from friends and family , crying and frequent tears, changes in eating , changes in sleeping, agitation , restlessness, little motivation , lack of energy or excitement , fatigue , difficulty concentrating , thoughts of death , suicide or self harm.

There are many excellent counseling tools to help elevate mood and treat depression. CBT therapy looks at unhealthy thoughts that have no facts to support them and how these thoughts impact mood. DBT has a few elements: awareness/mindfulness, distress tolerance/mood regulation, interpersonal effectiveness. These are all research based and evidence based counseling techniques that have been used for decades with positive results. There are many other effective techniques that can be used to create health and balance for your child or teenager.

The suicide rate for adolescent teenagers ages 10-18 nearly doubled from 2006 to 2017… from 5.4 per 100,000 people to 10.5. The rate increased by 40 percent from 2014 to 2017, from 7.9 per 100,000 people to 12.0, before decreasing slightly to 10.5 in 2016. Overall, rates for all age groups have risen from 1999 to 2016.

Lifeworks Az has a specialization in child and teen depression counseling and therapy, child adolescent counseling, family counseling, family therapy in Phoenix Arizona, Scottsdale Arizona and serves valley wide.

 Children, Teens and young adults are reporting feeling more hopeless and useless between 2010 and 2015. The teen suicide rate also increased during tis time period as well. The National survey accounted for socio economics and different demographics, all ethnic groups, etc. The research was from every type of background. The number of teens with clinical levels of depression rose and was more visible among girls in this large national study.

The largest changes in children and teens lives was the use of social media and smart phones according to researchers in this study. Adolescent teenagers that spent the greatest time on screens being : texting, social media, video games, you tube, internet were also more likely to show depression and have significant risk factors for suicide such as having a plan to hurt themselves or an attempted suicide attempt.

Research shows that social media use leads to unhappiness. The rise in smart phone use and social media are potentially two reasons your teen or child is feeling depressed. Popularity is important to teen girls and girls tend to ruminate more than boys. Rumination can contribute to depression and depressive reports.

A decrease in sleep for girls as well as boys is on the rise due to smartphone and social media use. This is a huge reason why teen mental health is suffering. The blue light from the screens is impacting melatonin rates and making it harder for youth to sleep . Lack of sleep is a huge component for mental health : depression, anxiety, performance, behaviors, moods, relationships and more.

There are many things parents can do to help there children and teens manage there mood and find balance in their lives. Finding a balance is vital for children and teenagers.

Children and teens are using social media to express their deep feelings and fears at times and even let people know they are planning suicide. Parents and friends should not assume they are posting for attention. Recently two teens killed themselves in Colorado after posting suicide plans on their social media accounts . It was to late and they passed.

Children and teenagers need a safe and supportive individual to discuss their daily lives, stress, and problems. www.lifeworksaz.comhas been working with youth and families for over 15 years in Phoenix and Scottsdale Arizona. The trauma is great for a teen who loses a friend to suicide.

Social media has created more connections with a click as an alleged friend however it has created fewer relationships that are real where a child or teen can talk to a real loving and supportive advocate.

Children and teens are communicating through : instagram, snapchat, Face book, and more and many times they want people to know how they feel and so they post it.

Child and teen depression is real. Many children and teens have taken their lives due to depression.

Children feel : sad, lonely, and have pain and stress just like adults, however, many children do not have the skills and maturity or the tools to cope with depression.

Experts state social media does not bring people together and many times it simply isolates youth and young adults. Using more than two hours of social media per day doubled the chances a youth or young adult would fill lonely or isolated.

Many children and teens are depressed or have signs of depression. Many children and teens are struggling with : family issues, divorced families, academics, blended families, low self esteem, poor social skills, peer pressure, hormonal changes, grief and loss. Many times teens will stuff their thoughts and feelings . Some teens hide in their room and avoid communication. Some teens are on their Smart Phones, TV, Netflix, and Video games. Too much of anything is not ok and parents can ask themselves is my son or daughter in balance or out of balance with their habits? Below is a story of a Tempe Teen that was depressed and it ended tragically. The good news is there are signs of depression and the sooner one gets help the better. After the article there is a list of some red flags your child may be depressed. There are experts in treating child and teen depression through counseling and therapy and other treatments.

I have worked with thousands of teens with depressed moods and depression. Moving to a new school, change, academic pressure, not getting along with mom or Dad, negative thinking, low self esteem, social dynamics, past challenges are being carried around by children and teens and these items need to be addressed to create health and balance.

A tragedy happened at a Tempe, Arizona High school yesterday . A student athlete committed suicide at a Tempe High school not far from Arizona State University.

Teen and child depression is on the rise and can not be ignored. Depression is not an adult disorder . Millions of children and teen adolescents feel depressed and there are a slew of reasons today that impact a child or adolescents mood.

A child or teen does not have to have had a traumatic childhood in order to be depressed . A teen can have loving parents and spiritual parents and feel depressed.

As a safety measure parents should lock up all pills , medications , guns, knives , blades , weapons at all times regardless of a child’s mood. Parents should lock up all alcohol as well . Parents should monitor social media, smart phones , video game dialogue , texting , and be as involved as they can with their child or teen . Some parents would say it is an invasion of privacy however better safe than sorry . Children state they are excelling in the classroom and passing all classes however parents must still verify and look at report cards and look at missing homework assignments. Teens spend a lot of time w electronic devices and those that are in their room and not communicating daily with parents . They must get off these devices and communicate with parents about their day in detail . If not a parent has no idea why is going on mentally , physically , and emotionally with ones children .

Setting limits and boundaries and requiring family interaction is vital . Spending one on one time with your teen is important and will help find out what is going on in their lives . Make it a requirement before they use their : video games , computers , smart phones etc . Schedule one on one time with each child and this lets them know they are important as well as they are more likely to share information with you than in front of the whole family . Most children will not share their true pain or depressed mood in front of the whole family or at dinner .

I find wonderful children and teens that have very negative thought processes about themselves . Children that are excellent students and athletes still can be very depressed . Many suffer from low self esteem and many suffer from social or peer challenges . Many are depressed about family dynamics and school pressures.

The best approach is to have someone who works w children and parents guide you to help create balance and learn tools to manage depression , anxiety , self esteem, family issues and more .

Teens face a myriad of pressures , from changes in development to questions about who they are and where they are going w peers, school, and their future. The natural transition toward adulthood can bring parental challenges and conflict as the adolescent teen pushes for their independence .

It is not simple to differentiate between depression and teen mood swings . Some teens that are depressed are not sad or withdrawn . Many depressed teens are angry , full of rage , defiant, and irritable and this may be depression.

Some signs of depression in teens are: sadness , hopelessness , irritability , anger , hostility , frequent crying or tears , withdrawal from family and friends, loss of interest in activities , change in eating habits or sleep habits , agitation, restless , guilt, worthless feelings , concentrating issues , thought of death, suicidal thoughts and more.

It is best to have a professional assessment from a professional who has expertise in teen and children .

There are many signs that may indicate your teen is down or depressed or is suffering from depression.

Some red flags that should not be ignored are: sadness , crying, tearfulness, hopelessness, a decrease in activities , inability to enjoy activities that were enjoyable.

Low energy, isolation, poor communication and a lack of connection w family and friends is a sign that something is going on that needs attention. Increased irritability and anger and rage are common w depressed children and teens.

Physical complaints : stomach aches , pain , etc are signs your teenmay be depressed. Changes in sleeping habits and or eating patterns is a red flag as well .

Self destructive behaviors, suicidal thoughts, self harming, drug andalcohol abuse are signs your child need help asap!

Parents should seek professional help if any of the above are going onas soon as possible. Depression is a very serious condition that impacts : thoughts, mood,

and behaviors. Teen depression can be treated .

Teens face many stressors and pressures. Transitioning from child to an adult. Figuring out who they are and what they want to do with life . Hormonal changes and wanting to fit in socially are just a few. Teens with depression do not always appear sad. Many teens display anger and irritability and aggression. Long lasting changes in mood, behavior, personality are all huge red flags that your teen needs professional help.

Some common symptoms for teen depression are: hopelessness , sad, blue, loss of interest in activities, withdrawal from friends and family , crying and frequent tears, changes in eating , changes in sleeping, agitation , restlessness, little motivation , lack of energy or excitement , fatigue , difficulty concentrating , thoughts of death , suicide or self harm.

There are many excellent counseling tools to help elevate mood and treat depression. CBT therapy looks at unhealthy thoughts that have no facts to support them and how these thoughts impact mood. DBT has a few elements: awareness/mindfulness, distress tolerance/mood regulation, interpersonal effectiveness. These are all research based and evidence based counseling techniques that have been used for decades with positive results. There are many other effective techniques that can be used to create health and balance for your child or teenager.

Child and teen depression is real. Many children and teens have taken their lives due to depression.

Children feel : sad, lonely, and have pain and stress just like adults, however, many children do not have the skills and maturity or the tools to cope with depression.

Experts state social media does not bring people together and many times it simply isolates youth and young adults. Using more than two hours of social media per day doubled the chances a youth or young adult would fill lonely or isolated.

Many children and teens are depressed or have signs of depression. Many children and teens are struggling with : family issues, divorced families, academics, blended families, low self esteem, poor social skills, peer pressure, hormonal changes, grief and loss. Many times teens will stuff their thoughts and feelings . Some teens hide in their room and avoid communication. Some teens are on their Smart Phones, TV, Netflix, and Video games. Too much of anything is not ok and parents can ask themselves is my son or daughter in balance or out of balance with their habits? Below is a story of a Tempe Teen that was depressed and it ended tragically. The good news is there are signs of depression and the sooner one gets help the better. After the article there is a list of some red flags your child may be depressed. There are experts in treating child and teen depression through counseling and therapy and other treatments.

I have worked with thousands of teens with depressed moods and depression. Moving to a new school, change, academic pressure, not getting along with mom or Dad, negative thinking, low self esteem, social dynamics, past challenges are being carried around by children and teens and these items need to be addressed to create health and balance.

A tragedy happened at a Tempe, Arizona High school yesterday . A student athlete committed suicide at a Tempe High school not far from Arizona State University.

Teen and child depression is on the rise and can not be ignored. Depression is not an adult disorder . Millions of children and teen adolescents feel depressed and there are a slew of reasons today that impact a child or adolescents mood.

A child or teen does not have to have had a traumatic childhood in order to be depressed . A teen can have loving parents and spiritual parents and feel depressed.

As a safety measure parents should lock up all pills , medications , guns, knives , blades , weapons at all times regardless of a child’s mood. Parents should lock up all alcohol as well . Parents should monitor social media, smart phones , video game dialogue , texting , and be as involved as they can with their child or teen . Some parents would say it is an invasion of privacy however better safe than sorry . Children state they are excelling in the classroom and passing all classes however parents must still verify and look at report cards and look at missing homework assignments. Teens spend a lot of time w electronic devices and those that are in their room and not communicating daily with parents . They must get off these devices and communicate with parents about their day in detail . If not a parent has no idea why is going on mentally , physically , and emotionally with ones children .

Setting limits and boundaries and requiring family interaction is vital . Spending one on one time with your teen is important and will help find out what is going on in their lives . Make it a requirement before they use their : video games , computers , smart phones etc . Schedule one on one time with each child and this lets them know they are important as well as they are more likely to share information with you than in front of the whole family . Most children will not share their true pain or depressed mood in front of the whole family or at dinner .

I find wonderful children and teens that have very negative thought processes about themselves . Children that are excellent students and athletes still can be very depressed . Many suffer from low self esteem and many suffer from social or peer challenges . Many are depressed about family dynamics and school pressures.

The best approach is to have someone who works w children and parents guide you to help create balance and learn tools to manage depression , anxiety , self esteem, family issues and more .

Teens face a myriad of pressures , from changes in development to questions about who they are and where they are going w peers, school, and their future. The natural transition toward adulthood can bring parental challenges and conflict as the adolescent teen pushes for their independence .

It is not simple to differentiate between depression and teen mood swings . Some teens that are depressed are not sad or withdrawn . Many depressed teens are angry , full of rage , defiant, and irritable and this may be depression.

Some signs of depression in teens are: sadness , hopelessness , irritability , anger , hostility , frequent crying or tears , withdrawal from family and friends, loss of interest in activities , change in eating habits or sleep habits , agitation, restless , guilt, worthless feelings , concentrating issues , thought of death, suicidal thoughts and more.

It is best to have a professional assessment from a professional who has expertise in teen and children .

There are many signs that may indicate your teen is down or depressed or is suffering from depression.

Some red flags that should not be ignored are: sadness , crying, tearfulness, hopelessness, a decrease in activities , inability to enjoy activities that were enjoyable.

Low energy, isolation, poor communication and a lack of connection w family and friends is a sign that something is going on that needs attention. Increased irritability and anger and rage are common w depressed children and teens.

Physical complaints : stomach aches , pain , etc are signs your teenmay be depressed. Changes in sleeping habits and or eating patterns is a red flag as well .

Self destructive behaviors, suicidal thoughts, self harming, drug andalcohol abuse are signs your child need help asap!

Parents should seek professional help if any of the above are going onas soon as possible. Depression is a very serious condition that impacts : thoughts, mood,

and behaviors. Teen depression can be treated .

Teens face many stressors and pressures. Transitioning from child to an adult. Figuring out who they are and what they want to do with life . Hormonal changes and wanting to fit in socially are just a few. Teens with depression do not always appear sad. Many teens display anger and irritability and aggression. Long lasting changes in mood, behavior, personality are all huge red flags that your teen needs professional help.

Some common symptoms for teen depression are: hopelessness , sad, blue, loss of interest in activities, withdrawal from friends and family , crying and frequent tears, changes in eating , changes in sleeping, agitation , restlessness, little motivation , lack of energy or excitement , fatigue , difficulty concentrating , thoughts of death , suicide or self harm.

There are many excellent counseling tools to help elevate mood and treat depression. CBT therapy looks at unhealthy thoughts that have no facts to support them and how these thoughts impact mood. DBT has a few elements: awareness/mindfulness, distress tolerance/mood regulation, interpersonal effectiveness. These are all research based and evidence based counseling techniques that have been used for decades with positive results. There are many other effective techniques that can be used to create health and balance for your child or teenager.

www.Lifeworksaz.com has a specialization in child and teen depression counseling and therapy, child adolescent counseling, family counseling, family therapy in Phoenix Arizona, Scottsdale Arizona and serves valley wide.

Lifeworks Az has a specialization in child and teen depression counseling and therapy, child adolescent counseling, family counseling, family therapy in Phoenix Arizona, Scottsdale Arizona and serves valley wide. See testimonails at www.lifeworksaz.com

Children and teens are constantly stressed about school work and homework and test and grades and fitting in with peers at school and in other extracurricular activities. Children spend an excessive amount of time on social media and are barraged with negative news and views of the world. Finding ones meaningful path and truest path can be overwhelming when children and teens are so stressed out regarding other areas of life.

Many children and teens begin to slip into depression without hope or motivation due to unhealthy world views and irrational thoughts about themselves and their future. It is vital to look at our thoughts that are healthy and unhealthy and organize those thoughts in a healthy way so we can see clearly like a clear lens on a camera. Good work can not come with a blurry sense in your photos on your iPhone or your Cannon SLR Camera etc.

It is important to understand our feelings and be able to express them in healthy ways. If we do not learn how to express thoughts and feelings in healthy ways they will ooze out in many unhealthy ways. One way that unhealthy thoughts spill out is anger and rage and aggression. This can end up in unhealthy relationships with your family and friends as well as peers and can end up in an assault or battery charge due to the inability to control these feelings and thoughts.

If we avoid our feelings and thoughts it can likely end up in masking them through addictive behaviors: alcohol, weed, cannabis, vaping, wax, edibles, and hard drugs as well and more unhealthy addictive behaviors as well.

Many teens suffer from the above issues as well as mental health issues. Managing mental health is more than just learning healthy communication and understanding thoughts and feelings for children and teenagers. It is vital to look at all aspects of your child or teens life. What is the quality of his or her eating habits. How often are they eating and what are they eating? Are they skipping meals?

Many children and teenagers are not getting enough sleep due to technology addiction. I see youth from 6-18 and many are using their: I Pad, Smart Phone, Video Games, TV, Netflix, You tube, social media, snapchat, instagram, and texting till the early morning hours. How can a child due well in school or obtain peak performance when sleep deprived.

Estimates are that over 5 million children and teens suffer from depression and or depressive symptoms . Children and teens can suffer from clinical depression and it is not rare. The death rate has tripled from suicide among youth ages 10-24 in the past ten years.

Many children and teens suffer from some type of anxiety disorder: separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, Panic attacks, Phobias, Social anxiety, and more. Estimates are that over 6 million youth suffer from anxiety. We have the highest rate of anxiety ever on record in children and teenagers. Over seventy percent of children and teenagers say anxiety and depression are serious problems in their schools and or community.

Mental health plays a huge role in one’s quality of life for children, teens, and adults: Emotions, actions, motivation and productivity are directly affected by it. The sooner a parent or child or teen recognizes they are depressed or anxious or out of balance than they can can mental health help from a professional in the field.

I have written many blog articles on the association between increased screen time and lower psychological well being in children and teens. many adults think of TV , however, the addictive nature and amount of interaction and the exposure youth are seeing on the internet and social media is overwhelming and not easy to comprehend or digest. Children and teens are spending more time than you are working on their devices and more time than they are in school on their devices each week and this is a huge issue for society.

Children and teens are in their rooms and are not interacting face to face with parents and developing healthy communication skills. Limiting electronics is vital if you want to develop healthy relationships as well as create a successful balanced and healthy child or teenager.

LifeworksAZ.com has been working with children , teens, and parents for: ADHD, ANXIETY, Anger Management skills Behavioral issues, Communication skills, Depression, Social skills, Self esteem,Parenting tips, Sports peak performance and more. Contact David Abrams MAPC LPC CAGS he has worked with youth and families for over 15 years in Phoenix, Scottsdale Arizona.

Vaping is on the rise in the USA and in Arizona and it is at an exponential rate among youth and teenagers. Vaping is where a small battery powered device heats a liquid into a vapor that can be inhaled The vapor may contain nicotine, flavoring, or it may be that it is a wax. The wax is high concentrated THC and is much stronger than just smoking typical cannabis.

Children and teens exposed to nicotine pose a serious threat to addiction and also to long term brain development as well as cancer. Vaping is leading youth into nicotine addiction over the past few years at a very high rate. Almost forty percent of all teens reported vaping in 2018.

Many children and teens are developing lung disease specifically from vaping and lung damage. Vomiting , diahreea, weight loss, and fever, and shortness of breath and fatigue were just some of the symptoms associated with Vaping use in teens and children.

Over eight million children and teens report vaping in middle school and in High school throughout the USA and usage is doubling at a a very high rate according to researchers .

There are many different names for the devices that are used to vape: Juuls, pods, e hookahs and many more.Juuls are small and can be concealed like a flattened pen but a bit wider and many of these liquids have flavoring ( mint, blueberry, strawberry,) however they also have 1000 of chemicals and 90 percent sold have nicotine that is extremely addictive for children and teens as well as adults.

One cartridge or pod of liquid that is vaped or Juuled contains 25milligrams of nicotine. Do you know how many cigarettes it takes to get to 25 milligrams of nicotine? Well it varies however it is about equal to one full pack of cigarettes. So Juuling or vaping one cartridge is like smoking a pack of nicotine from cigarettes.

Children and teens are losing freedom of choice when they become addicted to vaping or Juuling because they can not get off the “juice” and need more of it to allegedly feel good.

Parents can educate their children on the dangers of vaping and Juuling. There most likely are other areas of your child’s life that he or she is not managing in a healthy way. Many children turn to vaping allegedly to manage their stress, deal with emotional pain, family issues, school challenges and more, however, vaping does not resolve the problem and turns into more problems with addiction and potentially serious health issues.

David Abrams MAPC LPC has worked with children and teenagers in Arizona that have many challenges and DSM Disorders: stress, anxiety, depression, low self esteem, poor social skills, family issues, family problems, academic challenges, autism, anger issues, parenting issues, emotional issues, behavioral disorders. David uses a positive holistic approach to look at all areas of life that might need balance and improvement and works with youth and the parent to help meet desired goals created by the child and parent.

Anxiety and stress are increasing in children and teens over the past decades. Many experts and research shows that one out of three children and teens are experiencing some type of anxiety in their life. Anxiety can be from stress, separation, negative thinking, fear ( false evidence acting real), general anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, trauma and more. Many parents are using medications for anxiety in their children and teens , however, medications are not teaching your child or teen how to deal with stress and life and stress is unavoidable. Counseling and therapy will teach a child and adolescent how to manage anxiety and stress and learn to be empowered and more resilient without having to take a medication for the next seventy to eight years.

There are many techniques and strategies that I use for anxiety with youth in my office. Each child is unique and finding what strategy and skills et works best for your child and adolescent is important because if they are not willing to use the skills they will not help manage the anxiety and stress they are having. Many children and teens are stressed about their school work and homework and their performance and grades. Adolescent teens are struggling with body image and how their bodies are developing. Many children are struggling with making quality friendships and healthy communication at school and at home.

Some of the skills and techniques that are powerful are cognitive behavioral skills. Children and teens learn to change their unhealthy thoughts that are not supported by any facts or research to more positive and healthy thoughts. This is an evidence based therapy and is very powerful.

Another powerful approach is using mindfulness techniques. Using visualization and imagery and creativity children and teens can learn to manage their stress and even manage ADHD behaviors and more. Using imagination is a very powerful technique when combined with mindfulness. Children that are able to use diaphragmatic deep breathing is like learning to use a TV remote for your child’s brain it is very powerful.

Learning to relax the body and mind is powerful. Progressive relaxation was created at UCLA, however, it really has been used for thousands of years in the Eastern world. Progressive relaxation combines deep breathing with relaxation of muscles from head to toe and is a very effective tool in managing anxiety in children and teens.

Visual Motor Behavioral Rehearsal with a twist is a skill that I have been teaching to children and teenagers and it is a powerful technique where a child and teen can use imagination to incorporate relaxing sounds, peaceful sights, tranquil smells, creating a peaceful environment from the past or a new environment that is quiet and calming and peaceful that the child can play in their minds like a short video. This is extremely effective and powerful and have seen amazing results with children and teens ages 6-18.

Great practitioners help a child and teen like tutor to learn and practice these skills and others that they can transfer to their home, school, sporting events, work when they obtain a job and more. Repetition is important once the skills are learned and parents can help the child and encourage the child to use their skills to manage stress and anxiety in their day. Medication can not change your child’s thoughts this takes work.

David Abrams MAPC, LPC, CAGs has been working with children and teenagers and adults with anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, stress, as well as many other issues that feed into stress and anxiety on a daily basis. David has over 15 years specializing in working with youth and families and has expertise in the field of child and family therapy and more.

I have worked with thousands of teens and children over the past fifteen years. Many are out of balance : angry, anxious, depressed, and much more. Anger is legal in Arizona and in Phoenix and in Scottsdale Arizona. Anger is a strong feeling and a normal emotion. It is how we express anger that is important. Anger that looks like breaking an iPad is a behavior and now that is called aggression!

Anger is a sign for parents as well as children and teenagers that something is not right and we need to make a change or a modification. Anger needs to be expressed in order for children and adolescents to get what they desire, however, there is no guarantee that expressing anger will get what you want , however, it will alert your family and friends about what you are feeling.

Children and teens can become aware of their anger by noticing what is happening in their bodies. Some signals of a child or teens anger might be: clenched jaw, clenched fists, muscle tension, rapid heart beat, upset stomach, and more.

In the old days reaction to anger was called fight or flight, however, today there typically are not the same threats that cave dwellers faced. Learning to put breaks on the anger in a child’s pre frontal cortex is vital to avoid damaging: relationships, family, friends, work, and success in life even with teammates in sports.

Anger in children and teenagers is a mask for fear and sadness and pain..emotional pain is just as real as physical pain in children and teens as well as adults. Anger can arise many times in children and adolescents as a wall for anxiety, embarrassment , humiliation, helplessness, hurt, and more. Children and teens move straight to anger to avoid feeling vulnerable and looking at our pain in many of the emotions mentioned above.

It is important for a child and teen to see that anger and rage are not working for them in life be it stress at home, punishment, arguments with family and friends and more. Unhealthy anger takes a lot of energy and time and is unproductive many times. Children and teens can learn to manage their anger in healthy ways through counseling if they are willing to do a little work.

There are many techniques that children and teens can use to manage anger. There are a number of techniques that are evidence based and research based . Learning healthy communication and assertive communication as well as boundaries are just a few important skills a child and teen can learn to manage anger and stress and many types of mood issues.

Learning healthy communication skills is vital for success in relationships, school, family, and at work for children as well as teen adolescents. Where there is anger there is always emotional pain underneath like an iceberg the top is the anger and you can see only ten percent of really what is under the ice berg.

David Abrams MAPC, LPC specializes in working with children and teens as well as adults that have anger management issues, mood disorders, anxiety, depression, low self esteem, relationship and communication issues, negative thinking , social skill issues and more. Lifeworksaz.com addresses a variety of issues holistically that are all important to address to resolve emotional pain or anger or depression or anxiety.

Child teen counseling is vital due to smartphone and screen time addiction… it is like Disneyland in their hands. Do you want your child to be entitled and entertained 24-7 with Disneyland in their hands? Well that is what is happening with smartphones you buy for children. Smartphones and video games and social media are creating electronic addiction and manipulating your child’s neurotransmitters to the point their brains do no understand the importance of: family, chores, grandparents, church, temple, communication, social skills, homework, academics, adequate sleep, exercise and more. There phones have become the most important element in their life and it is destroying families and child mental health as well as fueling a lot of behavioral and emotional and mental health issues.

It is a huge problem and parents setting limits and firm boundaries is the only solution

Many have minimized the problems smartphones and 24-7 access to media is having on children’s brains. I have been writing about these issues based on research for over twenty years and there is a giant connection between screen time and your child or teens mental health in my expert opinion as well as from many experts world wide in hundreds of studies!

Teens and children that are spending more than an hour a day on screen time are more unhappy,  obtain less sleep, have poor self esteem, have increases in loneliness, depression, anxiety and much more. Children and teens that are spending an excess of time on screens are not performing well in school and academics are suffering as well as interpersonal and social skills. 

There is a direct correlation to depression and almost 10 percent of teens are depressed according to research done in 2017. Research shows most of us need to feel connected and screens and social media do not do so. Deep connected relationships and empathy are the core of human connection and this can not be done by playing call of duty while you are shooting soldiers or any other video games, or social media.

Children and teens feel left out on instagram and snapchat posts as well as bullying online is an epidemic. Children and teens hide behind the screen to victimize other children and teens causing great damage. Children are suffering greatly. Children and teens feel pressure to impress others and keep up a certain image always posting something new and exciting and this creates anxiety and low self esteem and more.

Study after study from Research journals and medical experts show that limiting social media is important for children and teens mental health. Researchers have looked at the relationship between social media and : Grades at school, family communication, social skills, Depression, Anxiety, and Self Esteem and much more.

Reductions in depression and loneliness were seen in a recent study with just a thirty minute reduction in social media for adolescents and children. Research shows a reduction in social media actually helped reduce loneliness and anxiety.

A huge research study in the UK using over 1500 youth showed negative impacts of social media: poor sleep habits, comparing self to others, low self esteem, poor self image, increase in anxiety and more.

Your child will have more balance is their lives if they spend time with family members communicating face to face, communicating with peers face to face, playing sports or involvement in physical activities or sports,  joining clubs and organizations, altruistic clubs, after school extracurricular activities and more.

Children and teens are spending a majority of their time on : instagram, snapchat, online, Video gaming, texting and watching tv and movies. It is not against the law to be doing so however in my office I find most children are out of balance.

Your child has the potential for more mood disorders: depression and anxiety. Your child is learning about violence and anger in most video games that reinforces violence and that is frequent and intense. Your child has the potential for sleep disorders and lost sleep due to too much use of electronic media. Your child is exposed to unhealthy behaviors. Your child is not learning about exercise or learning social skills and interactive skills that are needed for life and for employment. Your child is not doing a lot of homework or is avoiding studying because they have an entertainment center 24-7.

There are many things parents can do o create balance in a child and teens life and one is limiting exposure to the above at a very high level. Below is more info on children and social media.

Children and teens are using social media to express their deep feelings and fears at times and even let people know they are planning suicide. Parents and friends should not assume they are posting for attention. Recently two teens killed themselves in Colorado after posting suicide plans on their social media accounts . It was to late and they passed.

Children and teenagers need a safe and supportive individual to discuss their daily lives, stress, and problems. www.lifeworksaz.com

has been working with youth and families for over 15 years in Phoenix and Scottsdale Arizona. The trauma is great for a teen who loses a friend to suicide.

Social media has created more connections with a click as an alleged friend however it has created fewer relationships that are real where a child or teen can talk to a real loving and supportive advocate.

Children and teens are communicating through : instagram, snapchat, Face book, and more and many times they want people to know how they feel and so they post it.

Child and teen depression is real. Many children and teens have taken their lives due to depression.

Children feel : sad, lonely, and have pain and stress just like adults, however, many children do not have the skills and maturity or the tools to cope with depression.

Experts state social media does not bring people together and many times it simply isolates youth and young adults. Using more than two hours of social media per day doubled the chances a youth or young adult would fill lonely or isolated.

Many children and teens are depressed or have signs of depression. Many children and teens are struggling with : family issues, divorced families, academics, blended families, low self esteem, poor social skills, peer pressure, hormonal changes, grief and loss. Many times teens will stuff their thoughts and feelings . Some teens hide in their room and avoid communication. Some teens are on their Smart Phones, TV, Netflix, and Video games. Too much of anything is not ok and parents can ask themselves is my son or daughter in balance or out of balance with their habits? Below is a story of a Tempe Teen that was depressed and it ended tragically. The good news is there are signs of depression and the sooner one gets help the better. After the article there is a list of some red flags your child may be depressed. There are experts in treating child and teen depression through counseling and therapy and other treatments.

I have worked with thousands of teens with depressed moods and depression. Moving to a new school, change, academic pressure, not getting along with mom or Dad, negative thinking, low self esteem, social dynamics, past challenges are being carried around by children and teens and these items need to be addressed to create health and balance.

A tragedy happened at a Tempe, Arizona High school yesterday . A student athlete committed suicide at a Tempe High school not far from Arizona State University.

Teen and child depression is on the rise and can not be ignored. Depression is not an adult disorder . Millions of children and teen adolescents feel depressed and there are a slew of reasons today that impact a child or adolescents mood.

A child or teen does not have to have had a traumatic childhood in order to be depressed . A teen can have loving parents and spiritual parents and feel depressed.

Setting limits and boundaries and requiring family interaction is vital . Spending one on one time with your teen is important and will help find out what is going on in their lives . Make it a requirement before they use their : video games , computers , smart phones etc . Schedule one on one time with each child and this lets them know they are important as well as they are more likely to share information with you than in front of the whole family . Most children will not share their true pain or depressed mood in front of the whole family or at dinner .

I find wonderful children and teens that have very negative thought processes about.

The best approach is to have someone who works w children and parents guide you to help create balance and learn tools to manage depression , anxiety , self esteem, family issues and more .

Teens face a myriad of pressures , from changes in development to questions about who they are and where they are going w peers, school, and their future. The natural transition toward adulthood can bring parental challenges and conflict as the adolescent teen pushes for their independence .

It is not simple to differentiate between depression and teen mood swings . Some teens that are depressed are not sad or withdrawn . Many depressed teens are angry , full of rage , defiant, and irritable and this may be depression.

Some signs of depression in teens are: sadness , hopelessness , irritability , anger , hostility , frequent crying or tears , withdrawal from family and friends, loss of interest in activities , change in eating habits or sleep habits , agitation, restless , guilt, worthless feelings , concentrating issues , thought of death, suicidal thoughts and more.

It is best to have a professional assessment from a professional who has expertise in teen and children .

There are many signs that may indicate your teen is down or depressed or is suffering from depression.

Some red flags that should not be ignored are: sadness , crying, tearfulness, hopelessness, a decrease in activities , inability to enjoy activities that were enjoyable.

Low energy, isolation, poor communication and a lack of connection w family and friends is a sign that something is going on that needs attention. Increased irritability and anger and rage are common w depressed children and teens.

Physical complaints : stomach aches , pain , etc are signs your teenmay be depressed. Changes in sleeping habits and or eating patterns is a red flag as well .

Self destructive behaviors, suicidal thoughts, self harming, drug andalcohol abuse are signs your child need help asap!

Parents should seek professional help if any of the above are going onas soon as possible. Depression is a very serious condition that impacts : thoughts, mood,

and behaviors. Teen depression can be treated .

Teens face many stressors and pressures. Transitioning from child to an adult. Figuring out who they are and what they want to do with life . Hormonal changes and wanting to fit in socially are just a few. Teens with depression do not always appear sad. Many teens display anger and irritability and aggression. Long lasting changes in mood, behavior, personality are all huge red flags that your teen needs professional help.

Some common symptoms for teen depression are: hopelessness , sad, blue, loss of interest in activities, withdrawal from friends and family , crying and frequent tears, changes in eating , changes in sleeping, agitation , restlessness, little motivation , lack of energy or excitement , fatigue , difficulty concentrating , thoughts of death , suicide or self harm.

There are many excellent counseling tools to help elevate mood and treat depression. CBT therapy looks at unhealthy thoughts that have no facts to support them and how these thoughts impact mood. DBT has a few elements: awareness/mindfulness, distress tolerance/mood regulation, interpersonal effectiveness. These are all research based and evidence based counseling techniques that have been used for decades with positive results. There are many other effective techniques that can be used to create health and balance for your child or teenager.

www.LifeworksAz.co  has a specialization in child and teen depression counseling and therapy, child adolescent counseling, family counseling, family therapy in Phoenix Arizona, Scottsdale Arizona and serves valley wide

www.lifeworksaz.com

There are a number of ways to address a slew of child and teen mental health issues and I will not mention them all in this blog however it is not a cookie cutter approach that works best per research as well as in my opinion. I use many therapies and teach many coping skills to parents and youth in order to facilitate desired change. Each family and child and teen are unique and finding the best match is essential to create desired change. Some of therapies may be: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, DBT, Mindfulness, Talk therapy, Art Therapy, Play therapy, journaling, parenting tips, behavior modification, Family systems, Reward based behavior systems, Life skills, Healthy life habits, meditation, Visual Motor Behavior Rehersal,, progressive relaxation, Hypnosis , and more to find balance in their lives .

Many parents I have seen over the past 15 years have concerns about there children and teens. The concerns are numerous: physical health, mental health, anxiety, ADHD, ADD, academic issues, social issues, self esteem issues, anger, communication issues, behavioral issues at home and at school, Depression, Defiant disorders, Autism spectrum disorders, Bullying at school, Screen addictions, video game addictions, poor life choices, using alcohol, smoking marijuana, vaping, not listening, disrespect, challenging family issues, trauma , grief and loss and much more.

Parents are the eyes and ears of the child and teen and are the adults that have more life experiences than the child and this is why involvement with the parent and weekly updates on all aspects of your child’s life is vital in counseling and psychotherapy. The parent knows what is working and what is not at home with the child. 

I gather a great deal of information from each parent at the initial assessment. If there are behavioral or emotional issues I find out details and examples at home and at school of these emotional and behavioral issues so I can address them with the child as well as figure out best strategies for parents to create a win win with their child or teen.

I look at genetic pre dispositions and find out if other family members have had a history of the issues presenting be it: addiction, anxiety, depression,etc. I also obtain medical history and legal history and birth history.

I spend time looking at the relationships of the client with each parent as well as other family members. How much time is spent together? How do family members communicate with each other? Is the dialogue positive or mainly negative? What tone is used when comunicating. Is the time spent together focused time or are electronics getting in the way: TV, Smartphones, video games, Netflix, social media.

In my assessment I look at your child or teens academics as well as his interactions with peers, social skills, study habits, quality of friendships, activities your child or teen is or is not involved in.

I discuss with parents what activities your child or teen is involved in after school. I want to know what he or she is doing from the time they come home till bed time. Many youth are addicted to their screen time and are completely out of balance as far as taking time for homework and studying.

I also look at what time your child or teen goes to bed? How are there sleeping habits? How many hours of sleep they are obtaining. I look at there eating habits and frequency of foods eaten as well and the quality of the food they are eating.

I look at your child’s self talk and dialogue. What messages is he or she telling himself daily. ..Good messages or negative defeating messages. I also look at what messages parents are telling themselves about their child this is important as well.

I look at your child’s mood be it : angry, anxious, depressed, and more and will help your child manage his mood issues in a  variety of ways.

I look at your child or teens social skills and if they need to be improved work with them on ways to do so.

I gather information regarding your child’s self esteem and help your child build there self esteem through various techniques.

www.lifeworksaz.com has been working with families and youth for over 15 years. The more involved the parent is in counseling the better!

Parenting defiant, angry, passive aggressive, ADHD, ADD, and developmentally and emotionally off balance children and teens can be challenging to the point a parent wants to pull their hair out and scream on a daily basis as well as cry. The good news is there support for your child and you can play a role in changing your child’s behavior. Many times we blame ourselves or we personalize our child’s inappropriate behaviors, however, it is vital to keep in mind many times it is about their own pain, their own stress and their own challenges that are spilling out onto their beloved family. As parents we can learn skills to manage and balance our relationship with our children and teens to create harmony and peace and best outcomes. David w Lifeworks AZ has been working with children and family issues for over fifteen years and you can read more about what people are saying about him at www.lifeworksaz.com.

A majority of parents tend to misinterpret their child’s behavior and end up feeling irritated , frustrated, annoyed, angry and sad.

Many children have stress and traumatic events that can be family fighting, emotional issues, abuse of any type, neglect, changing schools, divorce, bullying etc that cause so much stress it would be considered trauma and your child can not cope with the stress and this looks like negative behaviors, however, it is simply that your child is overwhelmed and can not regulate his mood, emotions, or behaviors. 

Young children can be impacted greatly by trauma since they can not discuss and verbalize the memory and this can impact their well being into adulthood.

Repetitive traumatic events ( stressors) have ore impact on a child then one isolated event according to most research .

Having a positive relationship with ones caregiver is important in recovering from trauma and stressors as a child or teen.

Children that have strong coping skills and high self esteem can be more resilient and recover more rapidly from stressful events.

Parenting a child that has had trauma at home will likely impact your child’s behavior and it is important to look at your child as a good child that is in great pain and has had difficult challenges in his or her life instead of looking at your child as a “ bad kid” this is HUGE!!!!!!!

Children with stress and trauma backgrounds may become aggressive , defiant, and may disobey or lie and many other behaviors  due to lack of trust and more. Many times there behavior is a learned response to stress and it will take time to unlearn the unhealthy way of coping stress. Children and teens can learn healthy ways to cope with stress and so can parents. There are many techniques and strategies. Some of the strategies and skills are listed on my web site: www.lifeworksaz.com , however, there are hundreds of techniques and skills that can be helpful for a child as well as a parent.

Some behaviors that can come from stress and traumatic events include: inability to pay attention it may look like ADD or ADHD, being withdrawn, difficulty going from one activity to the next, fighting with peers or adults, change in school performance, eating more or less than peers, getting in trouble at school and at home, body aches, refusal to follow the rules at home or at school, sleeping all the time, being tired all the time, risky behaviors, not wanting to be with peers, use of illegal substances: drugs, alcohol and getting in trouble with the law. as well as nightmares.

Many mental health disorders and diagnosis for children can overlap with a child’s past trauma ( their perception of safety and fear etc is what is important).

Disorders such as : ADHD, ADD, ODD, Intermittent explosive disorder.

Parents can become aware of the child’s triggers. Parent’s can learn to be more emotionally and physically available. Parents can learn to stay calm and empathize with their child. This is very important in managing behaviors. Allow your child to feel his or her feelings without judgment.

Parents can learn to be consistent and predictable in calm manner without raising ones voice and should avoid any physical punishment.

Children and teens can learn to manage their anger and mood and stress. Children and teens can learn healthier thoughts to manage stress. Your child and teen can learn to communicate in healthy ways. Your child and teen can learn from you as well.