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Depression in Children – Digging into the Symptoms

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The fact that a child feels lonely or irritated that doesn’t mean he or she has childhood depression. Depression is different from the everyday blues that most of the kids develop at different times growing up. Depression in children is a persistent feeling of sadness, and when it occurs, the child feels alone, hopeless, and worthless. When this kind of sadness is unending and disrupts every part of a child’s life, from daily activities and schoolwork to friendships, it could be depression. Along with the child’s life, depression also affects the life of every family member. Distinguishing between normal behavior and true symptoms of depression in children is not always easy. Here are some of the symptoms that you should look for to detect depression in children. Anger or irritability Though it is a very common symptom of sadness or depressed mood in a child, they can also externalize responses, such as frequent temper outburst and aggressive behavior. Depression in younger ch

Tips to Help Your Teens Who Have Bipolar Disorder

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Mood swings are considered a normal part of a teenager’s life. However, ‘normal’ mood swings can be quite different from the intense mood swings of bipolar disorder. Formerly called manic-depressive disorder, bipolar disorder is a serious lifelong psychiatric illness. Although onset typically occurs in early adulthood, it can also develop in childhood or teenage years.  As a parent, it is challenging to determine what is normal and what’s not when it comes to a teen’s emotional health. This brief blog is crafted to help you know which signs to watch out for and steps to take if your teenager has bipolar disorder . Signs of Bipolar Disorder in Teens There are two main things to remember: Watch for drastic changes in your teen’s normal mood Symptoms of mania and depression differ in teens than in adults Signs to Look For Mania and hypomania – Manic episodes can cause elation, euphoria or extreme irritability. In teens, irritability is more common than elation. Other signs

Raising Awareness about Bipolar Disorder

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Living with Bipolar Disorder brings out many social, emotional, and practical challenges. But there are approaches to help cope with what you or your loved one is facing on a daily basis. When you seek help from mental help experts, they can offer you suggestions or additional information on coping skills that have worked for others. They may even connect you with some people facing similar situations or some support groups.  Bipolar Disorder Emotional Challenges Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder leave you facing many emotional challenges. Other than treatment, it is important that you look towards people that live with bipolar disorder  to help you cope or simply just inspire you. Ask your therapist or doctor about local support groups where you can meet others who have bipolar disorder. Meeting people who have undergone the same types of situations can help provide you emotional support that you need to deal with day to day living and social issues, like the mental healt

Coping with Bipolar Disorder: Ideas, Recovery, and Prevention

Learning to cope up with bipolar disorder can be a lifelong process; after all, bipolar is a lifelong illness and every day is a new day. That being said, coping skills for bipolar disorder can be learned and have proven to be effective in improving one’s quality of life.  Bipolar Coping Mechanism   Coping skills or a coping mechanism is generally thought of as a method or methods a person can use to deal with stressful situations. People with bipolar disorder often have a special set of techniques that may help them in stress, designed specifically to work for bipolar disorder.  Some general coping skills for bipolar management include: -  Relaxation and Meditation  – These techniques are great for dealing with excessive energy in anxiety and bipolar disorder. -  Social relationships  – Reaching out to people when things are turning out to be bad is very important to keep yourself out of social isolation. Don’t forget that it is also important to have fun with people dur

Bipolar Disorder Diet – Know Which Super Foods Can Help You Manage Your Mood Swings

Bipolar Disorder is characterized by varying extreme highs and lows. Mood stabilizers and other therapies are what help you in controlling your mood shifts. However, there are certain other foods that can further help in managing your bipolar disorder. Although these foods do not cure the disorder, choosing the right ones may help you feel better and ease the condition. Fish Oil – The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends consuming fatty fish’s Omega-3 oil at least two times a week.  Fish oil keeps your heart healthy, but it is also seen that it plays an important in brain functionality and behavior. Some experts believe that fish oil can prove helpful for people with bipolar disorder , particularly if they have the higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Choices of food include: Albacore tuna Herring Mackerel Salmon Trout Whole Grains – Whole Grains are great for your digestive system and heart, but it has also been seen that whole grain has a calming effect on your

Symptoms to Recognize in Teenagers with Depression and Anxiety

Both anxiety and depression conditions can be improved, but more than 80% of the kids with anxiety disorder and 60% with depression are not getting proper treatment according to the Child Mind Institute Children’s Mental Health Report.  Anxiety is a normal phase of childhood and each child experiences it at some point. It is usually temporary and harmless, but children with an anxiety disorder experience nervousness, fear, and shyness, and they start isolating themselves socially and look for ways to not get involved in any kind of activity.  A child or a teenager who sees a scary movie and then has trouble in falling asleep can be comforted and reassured. But this is not the case for a child with anxiety; they don’t get past their fear and anxiety. Anxiety disorders affect about 1 in every 8 teenagers. Research shows those teenagers who do not seek help are at a higher risk to being socially isolated, will be more likely to perform poorly in academics, and will often en