Teen Depression Treatment: Alternative Treatments for a Teen-Onset Illness
It has been said that mental illness is the illness of youth and for those trained in treating mental health issues, this statement will ring true. For others, it may seem counter-intuitive, particularly given that the prevailing images of persons with mental health issues are most often those of disheveled adults. Because these images may portend the future of bright eyed children, whose mental illness goes untreated, it is essential to know that the onset of many major mental illnesses– schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorders, etc.–occur in late adolescence and young adulthood, not in mid- to late-adult life as dominant cultural notions suggest.
From this menu of youth-onset, mental health disorders, one of the most prevalent is teen depression, which affects approximately 10% of teenaged youth and is a leading contributor to teen suicide. The ability to effectively identity risk for depressive disorders and to treat teens who develop depression will help us minimize the course and impact of depression in the lives of our children.
Like many other complex health conditions, depression is highly heritable. Though researchers do not fully understand the causes of depression, they do know that genes play a role, accounting for almost half the risk for a teen to develop depression. Given that a child may be “wired for” depression, it becomes essential for teens and adults to develop a sophisticated and empathetic understanding of the illness and of the range of treatment approaches that are available. If you know that depression runs in your family, you may consider exploring some of the following alternative teen depression treatment options that could build emotional resilience and potentially alter neural networking, optimizing the body’s ability to change, thus making the brain more resistant to depression risk factors, including your genes.
Nutritional evaluation and assessment is a good place to start as an ever increasing volume of contemporary research confirms the links between nutritional deficiencies and depressive symptoms. For example, both Vitamin B and Vitamin D deficiencies have been directly linked to depression. The old adage of “You are what you eat,” is less myth and more fact as science and technology allow us to understand the inner workings of the human brain and neuro-chemical systems.
The ancient traditions of Acupuncture, Yoga, and Meditation have found research-based support as effective alternative treatments for depression in teens and young adults. Many studies support the use of Acupuncture for the treatment of depression. Additionally, Integrative Yoga Therapy, a modern day application of traditional yoga practices and principles, can increase an adolescent’s self-awareness through an integrated mind-body practice. Yoga, including breathing exercises and meditational elements, has been studied as a treatment for depression and has been shown to curb the stress-response in study participants. Teens who are at risk for or who are experiencing depression are often easily triggered and have a heightened stress-response. Through the practice of Integrative Yoga Therapy, teens can learn to calm their nervous system response, and with practice decrease the frequency and intensity of the painful and debilitating emotions of depression.
About the author – Robert Hunt is a recovering addict of 20 years. He has devoted his life to helping others suffering from chemical addictions as well as mental health challenges. Robert maintains many blogs on drug addiction, eating disorders and depression. He is a sober coach and wellness advocate and a prominent figure in the recovery community.
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