Vitality News Health Articles

Clinical depression is a medical condition caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that make someone constantly feel sad, dissatisfied, alone, and unmotivated. Depression can last for days, weeks, months, or even years. It can result from anxieties, traumatic events, or triggered by nothing at all. It can affect people of all ages, including teenagers and children.

Young people frequently suffer from depression, which leaves families with lots of questions such as: why does it happen, and what can be done to treat depression? The good news is that depression is treatable and some of the best depression treatments come in the form of Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques.

In the past, it was thought that children could not experience depression, but the truth is depression affects people of all ages. Often, depression in children and teens is triggered by events such as changing schools, a loss in the family, a relationship breakup, illness, or abuse. In some people, depression occurs by itself. Depression can be hereditary, meaning parents suffering from depression are more likely to have offspring who experience depression.

There are several different forms of depression. Most children and teens with depression have a type of major depression. This depression affects the ability to enjoy life and engage in normal activities. Some people may also have a milder type of depression called Dysthymic Disorder, which is a long-term type of depression with milder symptoms than major depression. A rarer but still common type of depression is manic-depression (bipolar disorder), which is characterized by sudden mood swings from extreme happiness to extreme sadness.

Depression can be a serious problem for young people because their symptoms may vary slightly from the ones adults usually have, making it harder to identify and treat. Often, minors with depression will not seem sad or “depressed” as one would find in adults. Chronic irritability is typically one of the major signs of depression in young people. Signs of depression can be subtle, but may include constant sadness, difficulty sleeping, low energy, and decreased interest in activities they used to love.

Young people with depression may have trouble with schoolwork, have trouble making friends, or have disciplinary issues. The effects are also evident for teens, who may try alcohol and drugs to escape their mental depression. Depression is no one’s fault, but people with depression do have the ability to seek treatment and learn how to successfully cope with their condition.

Depression treatments can range from counseling and therapy, to the use of antidepressant drugs. Group psychotherapy can be helpful for teens and children by providing a safe place to share their experience with their peers. Monitored online services such as depression forums can also provide a source of information for teen depression and serve as a type of group therapy for the depressed.

Behavioral therapy can help teach people of all ages how to manage their depression. Counselors can help families understand what triggers a child’s depression. Family therapy helps educate families on depressive disorders and what they can do to help.

In some cases, antidepressant medications are prescribed. This is only done under the supervision of a doctor who will watch the child’s health and mental state. Even though people with severe depression may have a need for medications, these drugs can have undesirable side effects, especially in sensitive and still-developing young people. For this reason, psychological counseling, support and understanding from families and professional counselors, and the use of treatments that help young people learn how to relieve their depression by themselves are considered better for helping young people with depression.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques can be used to treat anxiety, stress, and depression. They help people form safe and constructive coping mechanisms for dealing with depression. It is suitable for everyone because it is safe, does not require the use of any medications, and is a valuable form of self-therapy.

One NLP technique used to relieve depression is called them NLP Flash. This technique teaches your unconscious mind to use the thoughts that create stress and depression as triggers for positive thoughts that create relaxation. It is a technique that even young people can learn to use to help them reduce their depression.

People who are diagnosed with depression can overcome it. Therapeutic techniques can help the depressed of all ages find relief. NLP techniques are wonderful for helping young people and their families handle tension and depression. These treatments can diminish or even eliminate depression in people of all ages.

Alan B. Densky, CH is an NGH certified hypnotist. He has helped thousands of clients since 1978. He offers CDs for self-hypnosis depression therapy. Visit his Neuro-VISION NLP website for the hypnosis article index, or watch his free video hypnosis collection.

- Alan B. Densky, CH