| No doubt you have seen the recent news headlines | | | | Teenage boys will often become aggressive, agitated, |
| about a federal panel that recommended to the FDA | | | | and get into trouble at home, at school, or with the law. |
| that anti-depressant medications carry the strongest | | | | Teenage girls will sometimes become preoccupied |
| possible warning label for use in children and teenagers. | | | | with themes of death or dying, and become |
| This recommendation to the FDA shook the medical | | | | decreasing concerned about how they look. Suicidal |
| community, especially those who work with depressed | | | | thoughts are common. Some studies suggest that |
| young people. The biggest problem from the treatment | | | | 500,000 teens attempt suicide each year, and 5000 |
| community's point of view was not the | | | | are successful. Increased use of alcohol or other drugs |
| recommendation for the warning label, but the way | | | | is common, along with other forms of "self-destructive |
| that the media protrayed the panel's recommendation. | | | | behaviors." Poor self-esteem is common with |
| | | | teenagers, but especially with those who are |
| The panel reported that 2% to 4% of children and | | | | depressed. |
| teens who were given anti-depressants for the | | | | |
| treatment of depression became suicidal, that is they | | | | Parents are often confused and frustrated when their |
| had suicidal thoughts, or made suicidal attempts of one | | | | teens begin to act like this. Sometimes parents |
| kind or another. None of the 4,000 children and teens | | | | become stern disciplinarians, or even put the teen |
| studied committed suicide. | | | | down, which only serves to increase feelings of guilt |
| | | | and depression. Other times, parents feel helpless, and |
| What the media did not report well is the fact that 15% | | | | stand by waiting for adulthood to arrive. Of course |
| of children and teens with depression who receive no | | | | neither course is the right one to take. If you know of a |
| treatment will commit suicide. These 15% will not just | | | | teen whose behaviors have changed to look like what |
| think about it, but will actually kill themselves. | | | | has been described above, let the parents know that |
| | | | there is help available, and encourage the family to |
| So what are we to do? If the media had their way it | | | | seek help from a professional. With proper diagnosis |
| seems that no teens with depression would receive | | | | and treatment a depressed teen, or adult, can be |
| anti-depressants. As a result the suicide rate for those | | | | greatly helped. |
| who could be using the medication would rise from | | | | |
| nearly zero percent to about fifteen percent. But at | | | | If someone close to you is suffering from depression, |
| least we wouldn't have to be concerned about evil | | | | first please understand that depression is a very |
| medications. | | | | emotionally painful condition. For some people with |
| | | | depression it turns into a "terminal illness" due to suicide. |
| Look, I understand that there actually are young people, | | | | Please take the situation seriously. |
| even adults, who have become suicidal only after | | | | |
| beginning treatment with an anti-depressant. Some | | | | 1) Get a medical evaluation. Symptoms of depression |
| have in fact gone on to take their own lives. This is | | | | can be the result of a wide assortment of illnesses, |
| absolutely tragic. But so is the fact that untreated | | | | including thyroid problems, viral infections, and other |
| depression is potentially a fatal disease. Fifteen out of | | | | factors. |
| one hundred young people with depression take their | | | | |
| own lives. They should be allowed to receive a | | | | 2) Deprex is an amino acid and homeopathic medicine |
| treatment that will lower the suicide rate dramatically, | | | | for the treatment of depression that we have seen |
| and without any stigma attached to it by the media. | | | | work well with our patients. It may be worth trying as |
| | | | long as the situation is "stable" and there is no suicidal |
| Recently we had a patient brought to our counseling | | | | thinking on the part of the depressed person. |
| center named John (not his real name). John was | | | | |
| rebellious, angry, withdrawn, and in trouble often, and | | | | 3) Medications such as Prozac can be very helpful for |
| yet he was diagnosed and treated for depression. | | | | more difficult cases. Consult your doctor. These |
| | | | medications are often prescribed by Family Practice |
| When we think of someone who is depressed, we | | | | Doctors, but in most cases ought to be monitored by |
| usually picture a sad, tearful, lonesome person. But | | | | Psychiatrists. |
| teenagers with depression don't look like adults with | | | | |
| depression. Current studies show that there are about | | | | 4) Increase intake of Protein somewhat. Use a protein |
| as many teenagers who are depressed as there are | | | | powder supplement, just like a weight lifter. |
| adults that are depressed. However, depression is | | | | |
| exhibited far differently by teenagers than by adults. | | | | 5) Exercise daily. Just get out and walk for about 15 |
| Teenagers do not commonly display gloom, | | | | minutes. |
| self-depreciation, or talk about feeling hopeless like | | | | |
| adults do. | | | | 6) Seek out counseling from someone who is good at |
| | | | treating depression. This can do a world of good for |
| Teenagers with Major Depression are described in | | | | you. However, always use great wisdom and |
| diagnostic manuals as often becoming negative and | | | | common sense when choosing a therapist. Some are |
| antisocial. Feelings of wanting to leave home, or of not | | | | good, and some are not, so choose wisely.Douglas |
| being understoodand approved of increase. The teen | | | | Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been |
| often changes, and becomes more restless, grouchy, | | | | working with ADHD children and their families since |
| or aggressive. A reluctance to cooperate in family | | | | 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information |
| ventures, and withdrawal from social activities, with | | | | Library's family of seven web sites, including helping |
| retreat to one's room are frequent. School difficulties | | | | over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about |
| are likely as concentration is affected. Sometimes | | | | ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the |
| there is inattention to personal appearance and | | | | Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of |
| increased emotionality. Often there is an increased | | | | Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for |
| sensitivity to rejection in love relationships as well. | | | | KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of |
| | | | NewIdeas.net Incorporated. |