Are you aware if your teen purposely injures herself? Teen depression or anxiety can trigger this response to stress, and you might not even know about it.
Self-harm is difficult to imagine, but some teens who are have depression or anxiety disorder use it as a way to release painful emotions.
If your teen is injuring herself, it's imperative that you seek help. Here is some background on self-injury.
It mostly affects women between the ages of 13 and 30, but men are also likely to react this way to painful depression and anxiety. They will use any object they can find to inflict pain on themselves. This includes cutting with razors, scissors, broken glass, pieces of sharp metal, needles or whatever else they can find.
A sure sign that your teen is injuring herself is any repeated cuts on her arms, legs, hands, wrists and elsewhere. Some injuries are minor and heal quickly, while others can be severe enough to cause permanent scarring and possibly require medical treatment.
While the majority of people who self-harm are not suicidal, there are some who are, so this should not be ruled out.
The big question is why do they take such drastic action against themselves?
Disruptive family life, trauma and sexual abuse are some of the more common reasons why teens self-harm. It is their way of relieving the anger and inner turmoil that results from these disruptions. While it might appear to be a method to gain attention, cutting is actually something that teens do in private, away from view.
In fact, unless you happen to see your teen with her arms or legs exposed, chances are you will never know that she has injured herself repeatedly.
Any negative emotions can trigger the self-harm, which makes it that much more difficult to pin down. One such emotion is the idea that she needs to punish herself for guilt that she feels. Other possible causes include bipolar disorder, obsessive thinking, eating disorders, and aggressive behavior.
Cutting offers a distraction from the real pain that's going on inside her. Emotional pain can be much more unbearable than a few cuts. In fact, cutting provides a sense of relief, although temporary.
Resolving the self harm means getting to the root of the problem that is causing the emotional pain. If the teen has suffered sexual abuse or is having difficulty coping with chaos in the family, these issues must be addressed by a doctor or other medical professional.
If your teen is experiencing unbearable anxiety, which can come from any number of sources including school and peer pressure, this too much be treated to prevent more serious problems arising in the future.
Cutting is a sure sign that your teen has not learned how to deal with various life experiences and the stress they bring. It is important for your teen to learn good coping skills so that this problem does not repeat itself.
What you can do
Teaching your teen alternative ways of coping is imperative because once she starts cutting, it becomes almost addictive and extremely difficult for her to break the habit.
Seek professional help as soon as you realize there is a problem. Find someone who will help her to establish a more positive attitude about herself and her options. Do whatever you can to help build her confidence and self esteem. Offer your support. Open the door for non-judgmental communication where she can share her concerns. Talk therapy is an extremely beneficial coping mechanism.
It's important to stay positive about the healing process. Some teens will recover quickly, while others will take longer. Although you might not see results on the outside, you can be sure something good is happening on the inside.
Discover the underlying causes that trigger teen depression. Sylvia's new ebook, "Understanding Adolescence: A Guide to Teenage Depression & Suicide" fills in the details, including the biological changes teens experience as they transition between childhood and adulthood. Get more anxiety relief and depression help.
Showing posts with label misunderstood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label misunderstood. Show all posts
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Five effective means of coping with depression, without medications
Millions of Americans are diagnosed with depression, while undoubtedly many millions of others go undiagnosed. Depression has many causes and manifestations, but this condition is always a miserable state in which to live. Medical solutions include anti-depressant medications, but these medications come with many side effects, including the danger of suicidal thoughts! Another problem with such medicines for depression is that once you start taking them, your physician will instruct you not to abruptly stop taking them, as dire consequences may result. Here we offer five means of the 'natural' sort, each proven to be effective in coping with depression.
Due to the nature of depression, it's likely you will have to force yourself to try some of these tips, as many people, particularly those with severe depression, lose the interest and impetus to do anything at all. Some people with depression are chronically tired, suffer aches and pains and have problems with sleep, either in the form of insomnia or a desire to sleep too much. Nonetheless, give yourself a break and gather enough determination to give each of these tips a try. Realize, too, that this puts you in charge, rather than under the thumb of a medication. Gaining a sense of controlling your own thoughts and actions can be empowering, and can give you a jump start in coping with depression. You have hope.
1.Busy yourself with an activity you love. While you may currently lack interest, you know those activities which formerly gave you pleasure. Reading, crafts, painting, cooking – whatever you normally enjoy – are just a few examples. While you're involved in this activity, focus on the moment and try to ignore those feelings of sadness that want to creep in to your mind. If you're reading a novel, allow yourself to become fully occupied in the plot. If you don't derive satisfaction on your first try, don't give up. Set aside some time every day to indulge in your activities.
2.Many studies have concluded that regular exercise is one of the best ways of coping with depression. People diagnosed with depression, who followed a regular program of exercise, reported feeling less depressed as a result. Nature can soothe your mind, so take advantage of a walk in the park, or walking on the beach or at a lake.
3.Try venting in a journal, that's for your eyes only. You don't need to be a great writer, you need only have the ability to express your thoughts. You know what sort of events trigger feelings of sadness and a depressed state. Getting your thoughts out of your mind and on to paper can go a long way in coping with depression. It's also helpful to play devil's advocate and give yourself advice on what you might do to help yourself, much as a friend might counsel you.
4.If it suits your mindset, you might also consider professional counseling. If you can't afford this option, find a support group forum online. Most have professionals who moderate the groups and can provide helpful insights on coping with depression and better understanding your condition. Talking with a close friend may provide help on an occasional basis, but tends to tax the relationship if exercised too often.
5.Prayer can provide comfort, peace of mind and a sense of well being. Try this method of prayer. Most people pray from their minds, thinking with conscious thought. Try imagining that it is your heart speaking, not your mind. Center yourself in your heart. With just a few attempts at this form of prayer, you'll discover that your heart is far more eloquent. Thoughts of the mind often go to negative places, while thoughts of the heart are most often comforting and uplifting. Try this amazing experiment. It may become the best technique in your arsenal of coping with depression.
Coping with depression isn't easy, but you will find relief with at least a few of these methods. Good luck to you!
Due to the nature of depression, it's likely you will have to force yourself to try some of these tips, as many people, particularly those with severe depression, lose the interest and impetus to do anything at all. Some people with depression are chronically tired, suffer aches and pains and have problems with sleep, either in the form of insomnia or a desire to sleep too much. Nonetheless, give yourself a break and gather enough determination to give each of these tips a try. Realize, too, that this puts you in charge, rather than under the thumb of a medication. Gaining a sense of controlling your own thoughts and actions can be empowering, and can give you a jump start in coping with depression. You have hope.
1.Busy yourself with an activity you love. While you may currently lack interest, you know those activities which formerly gave you pleasure. Reading, crafts, painting, cooking – whatever you normally enjoy – are just a few examples. While you're involved in this activity, focus on the moment and try to ignore those feelings of sadness that want to creep in to your mind. If you're reading a novel, allow yourself to become fully occupied in the plot. If you don't derive satisfaction on your first try, don't give up. Set aside some time every day to indulge in your activities.
2.Many studies have concluded that regular exercise is one of the best ways of coping with depression. People diagnosed with depression, who followed a regular program of exercise, reported feeling less depressed as a result. Nature can soothe your mind, so take advantage of a walk in the park, or walking on the beach or at a lake.
3.Try venting in a journal, that's for your eyes only. You don't need to be a great writer, you need only have the ability to express your thoughts. You know what sort of events trigger feelings of sadness and a depressed state. Getting your thoughts out of your mind and on to paper can go a long way in coping with depression. It's also helpful to play devil's advocate and give yourself advice on what you might do to help yourself, much as a friend might counsel you.
4.If it suits your mindset, you might also consider professional counseling. If you can't afford this option, find a support group forum online. Most have professionals who moderate the groups and can provide helpful insights on coping with depression and better understanding your condition. Talking with a close friend may provide help on an occasional basis, but tends to tax the relationship if exercised too often.
5.Prayer can provide comfort, peace of mind and a sense of well being. Try this method of prayer. Most people pray from their minds, thinking with conscious thought. Try imagining that it is your heart speaking, not your mind. Center yourself in your heart. With just a few attempts at this form of prayer, you'll discover that your heart is far more eloquent. Thoughts of the mind often go to negative places, while thoughts of the heart are most often comforting and uplifting. Try this amazing experiment. It may become the best technique in your arsenal of coping with depression.
Coping with depression isn't easy, but you will find relief with at least a few of these methods. Good luck to you!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
What you can do to cure depression
Depression is perhaps the most rampant and misunderstood chronic condition in the United States. To cure depression, people turn to any number of treatments and fixes. But how do you cure depression? Can you cure depression? Is there something wrong with you or is it something you should just live with? Depression is certainly a difficult subject.
Depression is difficult to understand, even for experts. This seems silly to me. How can you expect to cure depression if you don't fully understand it? There is even a disagreement between doctors and psychologists as to what actually causes depression! Some think it is brought on from childhood trauma. Some think it is a reaction to diet and other nurturing factors and others assume it is a chronic and possibly hereditary disease. All of these may be true. For that reason, to cure depression, you should consider all of these suggestions.
One possible way to cure depression is through anti-depressants. The advancements made by these pharmaceutical companies over the past several decades have been remarkable. But beware. Nearly 50% of patients claim that they don't respond to the medication. Pills are not a fail-safe method to cure depression. Consider that they may be expensive, and that they have a variety of side effects, be careful before assuming that medication will cure depression for you.
Another possible way is to change your diet, and increase your exercise. This is a good general rule, regardless of whether you have feelings of depression or not. To cure depression, health foods might be a way to go. Again, this might not work for everyone. Many people have such severe depression that the diet and exercise rarely changes a thing.
Finally, you could consider therapy to help cure depression. Many that go into cognitive behavior therapy find relief. Others relapse quite easily without the constant and expensive therapy sessions. Still others feel no benefits. Therapy is not for everyone. You might want also consider that having positive relationships have been suggested to be a relief to feelings of depression. You might want to consider re-connecting with old friends or spend more time with your family; unless your family is like my family - that might make you feel more depressed! Joking aside, surround yourself with loving and supportive people and you could find a simple and rewarding way to cure depression.
When you look to cure depression, consider ALL of these options: diet, exercise, medication, therapy, nurturing relationships. You might need a combination of some or all of these solutions and fixes to help you cure depression.
Depression is difficult to understand, even for experts. This seems silly to me. How can you expect to cure depression if you don't fully understand it? There is even a disagreement between doctors and psychologists as to what actually causes depression! Some think it is brought on from childhood trauma. Some think it is a reaction to diet and other nurturing factors and others assume it is a chronic and possibly hereditary disease. All of these may be true. For that reason, to cure depression, you should consider all of these suggestions.
One possible way to cure depression is through anti-depressants. The advancements made by these pharmaceutical companies over the past several decades have been remarkable. But beware. Nearly 50% of patients claim that they don't respond to the medication. Pills are not a fail-safe method to cure depression. Consider that they may be expensive, and that they have a variety of side effects, be careful before assuming that medication will cure depression for you.
Another possible way is to change your diet, and increase your exercise. This is a good general rule, regardless of whether you have feelings of depression or not. To cure depression, health foods might be a way to go. Again, this might not work for everyone. Many people have such severe depression that the diet and exercise rarely changes a thing.
Finally, you could consider therapy to help cure depression. Many that go into cognitive behavior therapy find relief. Others relapse quite easily without the constant and expensive therapy sessions. Still others feel no benefits. Therapy is not for everyone. You might want also consider that having positive relationships have been suggested to be a relief to feelings of depression. You might want to consider re-connecting with old friends or spend more time with your family; unless your family is like my family - that might make you feel more depressed! Joking aside, surround yourself with loving and supportive people and you could find a simple and rewarding way to cure depression.
When you look to cure depression, consider ALL of these options: diet, exercise, medication, therapy, nurturing relationships. You might need a combination of some or all of these solutions and fixes to help you cure depression.
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