How a Parent Can Help Treat Children Suffering from Depression

In American, children suffering from depression has become a serious problem. Pediatric mental health research has found that from three to six million children suffer from childhood clinical depression. Depression in children can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, poor nutrition, or family environment. When depression in a child goes untreated it may result in adulthood depression, development of criminal behavior, or tragically suicide.

The symptoms of depression in children are similar to the symptoms in adults. The children may experience prolonged:
Sadness
Hopelessness
Feeling worthless
Excessive Guilt
Poor appetite
Loss of interest in activities
Frequent thought of death or suicide
Loss of energy
Helplessness
Fatigue
Low self-esteem
Inability to concentrate
Trouble sleeping

These symptoms have a bad affect on children's behavior. Their school performance drops, and at times they become edgy and impatient. They have emotional outburst and experience fear and anxiety. Children suffering from depression develop antisocial behavior. They are also at high risk of using drugs and alcohol. Antidepressant medication is the conventional treatment used to treat children. Parents who do not want their children using antidepressant can use alternative means to treat them.

Parent Child Relation
According to Iran V.Sokolova's research "Depression In Children: What Cause It", in some cases even though a parent may mean well, he or she can contribute to causing depression in their children through the way they treat their children. For instance, even though parents may be supportive of their children, if they are controlling and imposing in their support, children can develop depression symptoms. Such treatment can cause a child to view him or herself negatively. When a parent tries to control a child's psychological and emotional development the child develops the feeling of incompetence and low- self esteem and motivation. The child is unable to develop his or her own individuality.

To avoid this parents should include their children in discussion and solicit their opinions in decision making. Parents should often ask their children the following question: "What do you think?" and "What would you do?" and "Could you help me?" A child sharing his or her own thought and using his or her own intelligence to come up with solutions builds confidence in a child and causes him or her to think of himself or herself in a non negative way. The child feels useful, important, and needed.

Over Expectations
Many parents have high expectations for their children. They want their children to succeed in life and make the accomplishment that they failed to make. This results in parents setting high goals for their children and pushing the children to meet them. A child may have goals and interest that may not be shared by their parents, yet the goals and interests are honorable. If the child is not allowed and encouraged to cultivate his or her own goal and interests he or she can become depressed. So parents should find out their children's interests and goals and help them to accomplish them.

Nutrition For Depression
When the cause of depression is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, which is often the case, it is also very important for parents to closely watch over the diet of children suffering from depression. Nutrition has direct affect on one's mental state. There are certain nutrients needed to create a chemical balance in the brain to prevent depression.

Foods And Supplements Parents Should Give Their Children
Food
Serotonin is a chemical needed in the brain to prevent depression. When the level of serotonin in the brain is low, depression can result. Serotonin in the brain is produced by omega-3 fatty acids. Parent should make sure their children's daily diet includes the following foods( From: www.whfoods.com):

Vegetables
Cloves
Oregano
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Romaine lettuce
Brussel sprouts
winter squash
Summer squash
Collard greens Spinach
Kale
Soybeans
Strawberries
Green beans
Raspberries
Broccoli

Fish
Salmon
Halibut
Shrimp
Snapper
Scallops
Tuna

Other Food Sources
Flaxseed
Tofu
Walnuts
Beans
Dairy products
Fruits

Additional Needed Nutrients
B vitamins (biotin, folic acid, thiamine,B6,B2, B12) essential for brain cell development
Vitamin C
Calcium
Copper
Iron
Magnesium
Potassium

Foods To Avoid
Avoid White sugar, honey, fructose, and maple syrup. These sugars deplete the B vitamins and increase the risk of developing hypoglycemia which is tied to mood swings and depression.
Avoid processed foods with additives and preservatives such as sandwich meats.
Avoid foods high in saturated fats
Avoid artificial sweeteners
Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. (Unfortunately some children smoke and drink booze)
Avoid snack foods, junk foods and sugary cold cereals

Suffering from depression can be very hard for children. However, with the support and concern from their parents, they would be able to overcome or minimize the effects of the condition.