Depression is an illness caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that make someone constantly feel negative, sad, aloof, and unmotivated. It can last for days, weeks, months, or even years. It can result from stress, traumatic events, or nothing at all. Depressive disorder can affect people of all ages, including teenagers and young children.
Young people frequently suffer from depression, which leaves families with lots of questions such as: what causes it, and what treatments are available? The good news is that depressive disorder is treatable and some of the most effective depression treatments are in the form of Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques.
In the past, it was believed that children could not experience depression, but in reality, depression affects people of all ages. Often, depression in children and teens is triggered by events such as a loss in the family, changing schools, a relationship breakup, illness, or abuse. In some people, depression has no external cause. Depression often runs in families, meaning parents with depression are more likely to have children who experience depression.
There are several different forms of depression. Most children with depression have a type of major depression. This type interferes with a person’s ability to enjoy life and engage in normal activities. Some adolescents may also suffer from a milder type of depression called Dysthymia, which is a long-term type of depression with less severe symptoms than major depressive disorder. A rarer but still common type of depression is manic-depression (bipolar disorder), which is characterized by sudden mood shifts from extreme happiness to extreme sadness.
Depression can be a problem for adolescents because their symptoms are slightly different from the symptoms adults commonly display, making it more challenging to diagnose and treat. Often, children with depression will not feel sad or “depressed” as one would expect in adults. Constant irritability is typically one of the biggest 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.
Children with depression may do poorly in school, have problems making friends, or get in trouble by “acting up,” a cry for attention. The effects are also pronounced for teens, who may try drugs and alcohol to escape their overwhelming feelings. Depression is no one’s fault, but those with depression do have the ability to seek treatment and learn how to handle their condition.
Depression help treatments can range from counseling and therapy, to the use of antidepressant drugs. Group psychotherapy can be beneficial for teens and older children by providing a safe place to share their experience with their peers. Online services such as teen chat rooms can also provide information on depression and serve as a therapy group for depressed teens.
Behavioral therapy can help teach people how to manage their depression. Trained therapists can help parents understand what causes depression. Family therapy helps educate families on depressive disorders and what they can do to show their support.
In some cases, antidepressants or antipsychotic medications are prescribed. This is only done under the supervision of a physician who will monitor the child’s health and mental state. Even though people with severe depression may have a need for medications, these drugs can have many side effects, especially in young people, who are still developing. For this reason, psychological therapy, support and understanding from families and professional therapists, and the use of treatments that help children learn how to cope with their own depression are seen as better for helping children with depression.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques can be used to treat stress, anxiety, and depression. They help people come up with safe and constructive coping strategies for dealing with depression. It works for people of all ages because it is non-invasive, does not require the use of any medications, and is an effective form of self-help therapy.
One NLP technique used to alleviate depression is the NLP Flash. This technique trains your unconscious mind to use the thoughts that create anxiety and depression as triggers for positive thoughts that reduce depression instead. It is a technique that even children can learn to use to help them cope with their depression.
People who are diagnosed with depression can overcome it. Therapeutic treatments can help the depressed of all ages live better. NLP techniques are wonderful for helping adolescents and their families cope with anxiety and depression. These treatments can diminish or even eliminate depression in people of all ages.
Alan B. Densky, CH is a certified hypnotist and NLP Practitioner. Since 1978, he’s helped thousands of clients. He offers CDs for self hypnosis therapy for depression. Visit his Neuro-VISION hypnosis website for the hypnosis article library, or watch his free video hypnosis collection.
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