Clinical depression is a condition caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that make a person constantly feel sad, dissatisfied, alone, and unmotivated. It can last for days, weeks, or even months. It can result from anxieties, certain situations, or nothing at all. It can affect people of all ages, including teens and small children.
Children and teens frequently suffer from depression, which leaves families with questions such as: why does it happen, and what treatments are available? Fortunately, depression is treatable and some of the most effective depression treatments come in the form of Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques.
In the past, it was believed that younger people could not have depression, but the truth is depression affects people of all ages. Often, depression in young people is triggered by events such as changing schools, a relationship breakup, illness, a loss in the family, or abuse. Sometimes, depression has no external cause. Depression can be hereditary, meaning mothers and fathers with depression are more likely to have offspring who experience depression.
There are several different forms of depression. Most children with depression have a type of major depression. This form obstructs a person’s ability to enjoy life and engage in normal activities. Some people may also suffer from a milder type of depression called Dysthymic Disorder, which is a long-term type of depression with less severe symptoms than major depression. A rarer but still common type of depression is manic-depression (bipolar disorder), which is characterized by mood shifts from extreme sadness to extreme happiness.
Depression can be a serious problem for adolescents because their symptoms vary slightly from the ones adults typically have, making it more difficult to recognize and treat. Often, minors with depression will not feel sad or “depressed” as one would find in adults. Chronic irritability is typically one of the major signs of depression in children and teenagers. Depression symptoms may not be obvious, but may include constant sadness, difficulty sleeping, exhaustion, and decreased interest in things they used to love doing.
Young people with depression may do poorly in school, have trouble making friends, or get in trouble by “acting up,” a cry for attention. The effects are also pronounced for teens, who may use alcohol and drugs to escape their overwhelming depression. Depression is not the sufferer’s fault, but people with depression do have the power to seek treatment and learn how to handle their depression.
Depression treatments can range from therapy and counseling, to the use of antidepressant drugs. Group therapy can be helpful for teenagers and older children by providing a safe place to share their feelings with others. Monitored online services such as forums for depressed teens can also provide a source of information for teen depression and serve as a therapy group for depressed teens.
Behavioral counseling can help teach people of all ages how to manage their depression. Trained counselors can help parents understand what causes a child’s depression. Family counseling helps educate families on depression and what they can do to help their child.
In some cases, antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs are prescribed. This is only done under the supervision of a physician who will watch the child’s health and mental state. Although people with severe depression may have a need for antidepressants, these drugs can have many side effects, especially in adolescents, who are still developing. This is why psychological counseling, understanding and support from families and professional counselors, and the use of treatments that help young people learn how to relieve their depression by themselves are seen as better for helping children with depression.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques can be used to treat anxiety, tension, and depression. They help people develop safe and positive coping strategies for dealing with depression. It works for all people because it is safe, doesn’t call for the use of any drugs, and is an effective form of self-help therapy.
One NLP technique used to fight depression is called them NLP Flash. This technique teaches your mind to use the feelings that create anxiety and depression as triggers for positive thoughts that eliminate depression instead. It is a technique that even young people can use to help them reduce their depression.
People who are diagnosed with depression need not suffer. Therapeutic techniques can help the depressed of all ages live better. NLP techniques are wonderful for helping children and their families cope with stress and depression. These treatments can diminish or even eliminate depression in any person.
Alan B. Densky, CH is an NGH certified hypnotherapist. He’s helped thousands of clients since 1978. He offers CDs for hypnotic depression therapy. He also offers stress and depression hypnosis downloads in English, and Estrés y Depresión en Español
Visit his Neuro-VISION hypnosis website for the hypnosis article repository, or watch his free videos on hypnosis.
