Depression results when brain chemicals also known as neurotransmitters are out of balance.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that relay signals between nerve cells, called “neurons”.  They are present throughout the body and are required for proper brain and body functions.  Serious health problems, including depression and anxiety, can occur when neurotransmitter levels are too high or too low.

Every neurotransmitter behaves differently.  Some neurotransmitters are inhibitory and tend to calm, while others are excitatory and stimulate the brain.  Deficiencies involving the central nervous system’s neurotransmitters – serotonin and norepinephrine – appear to be involved in the development of depressive disorders.  Disruptions of other neurotransmitters, like GABA and glycine, have been more closely linked to anxiety disorders.

Environmental and biological factors including:

• Stress
• Poor diet
• Neurotoxins
• Genetics

Can cause imbalances in the levels of neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain.  These imbalances can trigger and exacerbate depressive symptoms.

Depressive disorders are among the most common neurotransmitter-related  conditions.  Others include anxiety disorders, compulsive behaviors, insomnia,  and migraines.

There are a few company’s who offer neurotransmitter testing, a simple urine test.  However conventional medicine does not see the validity in this type of testing.  I can tell you from experience with my own clients the testing and treatment protocols do work.  This is especially helpful for those who do not get relief with antidepressant medication.

Coming soon further learning about neurotransmitter testing and how it can benefit you.

Despite the relative safety and popularity of SSRIs and other antidepressants, some studies have suggested that they may have unintentional effects on some people, especially adolescents and young adults. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a thorough review of published and unpublished controlled clinical trials of antidepressants that involved nearly 4,400 children and adolescents. The review revealed that 4 percent of those taking antidepressants thought about or attempted suicide (although no suicides occurred), compared to 2 percent of those receiving placebos.

This information prompted the FDA, in 2005, to adopt a “black box” warning label on all antidepressant medications to alert the public about the potential increased risk of suicidal thinking or attempts in children and adolescents taking antidepressants. In 2007, the FDA proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications extend the warning to include young adults up through age 24. A “black box” warning is the most serious type of warning on prescription drug labeling.

The warning emphasizes that patients of all ages taking antidepressants should be closely monitored, especially during the initial weeks of treatment. Possible side effects to look for are worsening depression, suicidal thinking or behavior, or any unusual changes in behavior such as sleeplessness, agitation, or withdrawal from normal social situations. The warning adds that families and caregivers should also be told of the need for close monitoring and report any changes to the physician. The latest information is available from the FDA.

Results of a comprehensive review of pediatric trials conducted between 1988 and 2006 suggested that the benefits of antidepressant medications likely outweigh their risks to children and adolescents with major depression and anxiety disorders.²⁸ The study was funded in part by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Also, the FDA issued a warning that combining an SSRI or SNRI antidepressant with one of the commonly-used “triptan” medications for migraine headache could cause a life-threatening “serotonin syndrome,” marked by agitation, hallucinations, elevated body temperature, and rapid changes in blood pressure. Although most dramatic in the case of the MAOIs, newer antidepressants may also be associated with potentially dangerous interactions with other medications.

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What You Should Know About Anxiety Disorders in Children

Children and adolescents experience anxiety disorders just like any adult.  In children, this disorder is usually the result of life-changing experiences and stressful events, such as moving to a new city, the loss of a loved one or it can be triggered by a simple incident like going to a new school.  If anxiety disorder is ignored, it could affect a child’s self-esteem and change his relationship with his peers significantly.  It can also cause adjustment problems, an inability to handle schoolwork and can even lead to drug and alcohol use.  There is also a huge chance a child may continue experiencing anxiety disorder well into adulthood.

When it’s time to seek professional help

Certain behaviors in children may not constitute an anxiety disorder and symptoms associated with it usually disappear after a while.  However, if a child or teen continues to develop or exhibit certain behaviors, it may be time to ask for treatment.  These behaviors include: mood swings, loss of appetite, difficulty in sleeping, aggressive behavior, difficulty in language and speech development, decline in school and activity performances and regression.

As we discussed, there are different types of anxiety disorders, each one with different symptoms. Let’s review them in context with children. These include:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Panic Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Phobias

Generalized Anxiety Disorder usually occurs in middle childhood and during the adolescent period.  This is characterized by extreme worries about normal day-to-day activities that border on the unrealistic.  Children and adolescents suffering from GAD are also often tense and self-conscious, always asking for reassurance from parents and peers.  Some physical manifestations can also occur, including headaches, stomachaches and the like.

A child who has Separation Anxiety Disorder often finds it extremely difficult to leave the company of his parents.  This clingy behavior is also accompanied by insomnia, withdrawal, bouts of sadness and depression.  This is a fairly common disorder and about 4% of children at one time or another experiences this.

Children and adolescents who experience a traumatic event, such as violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse, assault or a disaster, exhibit post-traumatic stress disorder.  Children often develop troublesome flashback episodes and nightmares and over-react when surprised.

Panic Disorder occurs when children and teens experience bouts of panic attacks, seemingly without cause.  Physical manifestations include sweating, increased heart rate, nausea or a feeling of dread.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or OCD is characterized by repetitive patterns of thought or behavior, which appear not to have any sense.  While very distressing to the child, he will find it difficult to control himself.  This repeated behavior includes frequent washing of the hands, arranging objects, keeping specific linear arrangements of everyday things or compulsive counting.

Some fears in childhood are quite normal, such as fear of the dark or of imaginary creatures.  But if a fear becomes excessive and unrealistic, it becomes a phobia.  It can manifest in different ways and usually focuses on one subject such as heights, animals, water, enclosed spaces, etc.

Who usually develops anxiety disorder?

Research has shown that proneness to anxiety disorder is usually the result of basic temperament.  Extremely shy, restrained or uncommunicative children are at a risk in developing the disorder.  However, these patterns of behavior are not accurate indications of anxiety disorder because children change temperaments as they grow older and many of their childhood fears and worries disappear or take on a mild form in later years.

There is also a tendency for children and adolescents to develop an anxiety disorder if one of their parents has it.  However, there is no proof as to whether anxiety disorder is genetically passed on or whether the environment or a combination of both factors causes it.

Most researchers suggest that parents should watch out for signs of anxiety disorder in children ages 6 to 8.  This is usually the time when children’s priorities and life experiences begin to change as they start to extend their social life through school and peer relationships.

Treating anxiety disorder in children

Treatment is a process that both parents and child should be actively involved in.  Parents are advised to seek only the help of a professional.  Some treatment courses may involve CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, family therapy, relaxation techniques, biofeedback and medication.

One or a combination of two may be prescribed to help the child overcome his anxiety disorder and it may or may not include medication.  Some drugs that are commonly prescribed are SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, and fluvoxamine.  Some anti-depressants such as imipramine and lorazepam are not as commonly used.

When medications are prescribed, parents should discuss with the doctor the possible benefits and risks.  For example, in 2004, the FDA warned that some medications like SSRIs and other anti-depressants increased suicidal behaviors in a few young subjects.  Although the study was short-term, it involved more than 4,000 children and 9 different anti-depressant medications.  Parents should find out what exactly they can expect from the medications and other forms of treatment and if there are other courses of action they may choose to take.

Anxiety disorder affects millions of children and adolescents worldwide but it is a disorder that can be treated.  The successful treatment of anxiety disorder rests on the treatment/s of choice, the extent of the child’s disorder and the parents’ participation in the treatment.

Treatment involving medication may be continued on a regular basis for about one year, after which the child will be reassessed and the variety, type and dosage may be adjusted.  It is very unlikely for a child to continue medication for the rest of his life.  In fact, he may only undergo one medication course and will only need further treatment if symptoms of anxiety disorder persist.  Otherwise, the doctor will only make follow-up assessments until the child’s disorder is managed or totally eliminated.

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