Children and Mental Health

It is a topic we so rarely talk about; mental health and children. In all reality, who wants to look it? Not the children and parents, why they seems to think that it is their fault a society blames them so not the parents, so who looks at it? Yet children being diagnosed with psychiatric conditions at an alarming rate and rarely do we want to look at that fact little long talk about it.

There are many issues children need to deal with growing up. In today’s world we have a divorce rate of over 50%, our unemployment is astounding, people are losing their homes, parents are worried, teachers are distracted, and young children feel this. How could they not? To top that off, school bullying has increased and so has cyber bullying, and kids are getting it from every direction.

Is being bullied or worried about your family a Prozac deficiency or is it a natural response? Do the trying threes really require an antidepressant? Some doctors and pharmaceutical companies would say yes. In fact, the number of school children prescribed anti-depressants and mind-altering drugs has more than quadrupled in the last decade. New figures show general practitioners are prescribing pills in record numbers to combat stress, violent behavior and even tiredness.

Child drugging has been a huge profitable market with earnings of about $4.8 billion dollars a year. Pharmaceutical companies have done everything in their power to convince the press, legislators and especially parents why children need to be put on drugs.

There are 20 million children in the United States who have been diagnosed with some kind of psychiatric disorder and drugged for it. It has become an epidemic. Innocent children are being turned into patients for simply acting like kids. As we know, there have been a number of serious and deadly results from young people taking medications for depression. Many if not all the recent school shootings have shown us a picture of a disturbed young person who is on some type of antidepressant. But that is not is as disturbing as three and four-year olds on antidepressants.

Let’s look at ADHD and children. At this very moment at least 6,000,000 U.S. school children are being administered Ritalin or other addictive, mind-altering, psychiatric drugs. A pediatric psychologist became concerned when she was suddenly inundated with ADHD referrals. She worried that the disorder was being over diagnosed and began a study of 30,000 grade school students in two school districts in Virginia. The study raises many questions about ADHD diagnosis but provides few answers. Were previous estimates too low Is ADHD being over diagnosed, or are doctors now doing a better job of diagnosing it.

In the U.S. and many of those are being prescribed medication because the parent, daycare worker or school teacher feels that the child might be ADHD.

Did I say that right? A person working in day care who has no medical or psychology background are telling parents their child has ADHD? That is about as scary as it gets! It is almost as scary as parents are not being informed about all the potential risks to their child when they agree to a psychiatric drug prescription.

According to testimony given in the fall of 2004 to the Congressional Energy and Commerce Committee insignificant results were found in two thirds of the studies in which children were given anti-depressants and compared to children given a placebo.

About 1.5 million children ages 5 on up take Ritalin for relief from attention and hyperactivity disorders, researchers reported in the journal Pediatrics. The drug’s popularity is growing. Ritalin use is up 250% since 1990, according to a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

How do we help? Did you know that the vast majority of medical doctors consider ADHD to be of unknown causes? What we do know is that the elimination of food additives and refined sugar produces dramatic improvements not just for children with ADHD but for children who show signs of depression.

One thing I have noticed when I work with children with ADHD or depression and anxiety is their diet. I ask the parents to keep a food diary for their kids for two weeks. Some parents are honest some are not.

After reading all the food diaries I began to look at how we send our children to school. Let’s say we give them a nice bowl of Frosted Mini Wheat’s which have 10 sugars and a whopping 41 grams of cards which turns to sugar. Now add milk, non-fat or low fat milk is pact with sugar on the average 12-15 grams. Now let me tell you that 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar equals 4 grams of sugar. Now 3.75 grams of carbs equal 1 gram of sugar. So a small bowl of frosted mini Wheats with a cup of milk equals about 14 teaspoon of sugar.

Feeding our children fresh fruits and a good protein source offers good brain health. Carbohydrate loaded breakfasts of frozen waffles, pancakes, pastry rolls and cold cereal do nothing to feed the brain. Instead, eat an omelet with low-fat cheese and a lean meat to activate neurotransmitters in the brain. If you are in a time crunch, have them drink a protein shake for breakfast.

Foods That Are Good For You

• Vegetables (except corn, potatoes and squash).

• Beans and peas

• Fruit

• Nuts and seeds

• Fish oils, Flaxseed oil, Olive oil, Primrose oil

• Leans meats

• Eggs

• Low-fat cheeses

• Protein powder

Foods To Avoid or Decrease

• Breads and pasta from processed white flour

• White rice white potatoes

• Desserts, ice cream, candy, chocolate, cookies, doughnuts

• Powdered or refined sugar

• Soda, sports drinks, tea, coffee and alcohol

• Fast foods, burgers, pizza, hotdogs, milkshakes

• Processed foods-Hotdogs, lunchmeat

• Junk food, chips, soda

• Fruit juices

• Artificial colors flavors and preservatives

• Artificial sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin, sucralose).

Folate is one of the B vitamins and helps aid in depression. Foods high in folates include: orange juice, strawberries, citrus fruits and juices, leafy green vegetables, whole grain breads, and pinto, navy and kidney beans. Foods rich in protein are rich in an amino acid called tyrosine. Tyrosine may help boost levels of the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, which can help treat depression as well as ADHD. Foods include turkey, tuna, salmon or chicken beans and peas, lean beef, low-fat cheese, almonds, milk, poultry, soy products, yogurt.

Natural PTSD Treatment

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a lasting consequence of traumatic ordeals that cause intense fear, helplessness, or horror and people are treating PTSD naturally. Everyone reacts to traumatic events differently and people are unique in their ability to manage fear and stress which is why it is important to have a variety of options to treat PTSD.

PTSD is a condition that people develop after they experience a traumatic event. It is estimated that 8% of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. The traumatic events associated with PTSD are combat exposure, childhood abuse, rape, physical attack, being threatened with a weapon, car or plane crash, and witnessing a violent crime or incident. About 30% of the men and women who have spent time in war zones experience PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD

* Flashbacks which is acting or feeling like the event is happening again

* Nightmares of either of the event or of other frightening things

* Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma

* Difficulty falling or staying asleep

* Irritability or outbursts of anger

* Difficulty concentrating

* Hypervigilance and feeling jumpy and easily startled

* Anger and irritability

* Guilt, shame, or self-blame

* Depression and hopelessness

* Suicidal thoughts and feelings

* Headaches, stomach problems, chest pain

Natural Ways of PTSD Treatment

It is strongly suggested that people who experience PTSD symptoms avoid stimulants, such as caffeine from chocolate, coffee, black tea, colas as well as alcohol. Maintaining balanced blood sugar levels helps stabilize moods. People will need to smaller and frequent meals and try to avoid processed, refined, and simple sugars.

Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins, and Herbs

* GABA is an amino acid that is known to play a role in the physiology of anxiety.

*  Amino acids like GABA help very well however,  Taurine, Theanine, Glycine, Glutamine, and 5-hydroxy Tryptophan;(5HTP) work very well.

* B-complex helps reduce anxiety associated with PTSD.

* Kava is an herb that is used widely for nervous anxiety, tension, agitation, and insomnia. Kava works in a similar way to prescription benzodiazepine drugs such as Xanax and Valium.

* Omega-3 fatty acids, can nourish brain cells and reduce inflammation that increase the stress hormone levels. Also helps aid in depression. 

* Valerian is an herbal tranquilizer that is best known as a remedy for insomnia. It calms the nervous system, balances mood swings, and is not habit forming.

* Other calming herbs that are frequently recommended for anxiety include chamomile, hops, lemon balm, passion flower, skullcap, and suma.

* Homeopathy remedies have been shown to have a profound effect on children and adults suffering from PTSD.  Stramonium is effective for nightmares and night terrors, and Staphysagria helps children and adults deal with nightmares after violence. 

Other Alternative PTSD Therapies

* Physical activity such as exercise is perhaps the safest and most effective method of managing stress.

* Biofeedback – Where a person is attached to an EEG machine and, by listening to the kind and amount of brain waves produced, learns to change them in ways that ultimately affect both behavior and feelings.

* Aromatherapy – Essential oils that are used for PTSD can include; bergamot, cypress, geranium, jasmine, lavender, melissa, neroli, rose, sandalwood, ylang-ylang.

* Bodywork – Massage therapy, shiatsu, and other forms of bodywork can relax muscle tension, relieve stress, and improve sleep.

* EFT (emotional freedom techniques) or “tapping” operates on the premise that all negative emotions are a disruption in the body’s energy system and can work well with PTSD.

* Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which requires one to make several sets of side-to-side eye movements while recalling a traumatic incident, seems to help reduce PTSD symptoms.

* Stress-Reduction Techniques – Mind/body breathing exercises, physical exercise, yoga, tai chi, self-hypnosis, massage, meditation, guided imagery, and biofeedback are just some of the stress reduction techniques also used for relieving anxiety.

People who suffer from PTSD have a wide variety of healthy alternative besides harmful medications to deal with this disorder and can begin to see the effects of this disorder dissipate. 

Medical Conditions Not Depression

Most doctors who treat patients suffering from depression use conventional medicines to treat the symptoms which we now know only work about 50% of the time. In today’s world and modern medicine, doctors are quick to diagnose depression, and then medicate.

The use of pharmaceuticals to address depressions and to stabilize moods can lead to significant side effects, and many patients find themselves having to choose between living with these unpleasant effects or discontinuing medications. Others find that despite the exhaustive switching back and forth process involving different combinations of drugs, their depression continues to present major problems for them and are turning to alternative methods to treat their depression.

Alternative methods include treating the body as a whole and looking for the alternate explanations for what psychiatrists may have labeled depression. For example, food allergies may cause severe mood swings, depression and insomnia in some people, and untreated endocrine problems are widely recognized as causing depression Some other causes of depression that could be caused by health reasons includes;

• Nutritional deficiencies

• Lack of exercise

• Hypothyroidism

• Hyperthyroidism

• Poor adrenal function

• Other hormonal disorders

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

• Hyrperglycemia (high blood sugar)

• Food Allergies

• Heavy metals (such as mercury, lead, aluminum, cadmium, and thallium)

• Premenstrual syndrome

• Sleep disturbances

• Infections

• Influenza

• Menopause

• Certain medications

• Somatic disorders

• Chronic pain

• Heart disease

With so many health factors that can cause depression, people experiencing depression should first consider having a complete physical exam to eliminate any possible health problems. Unfortunately, in our society, many doctors treat depression with medication before performing a full physical evaluation. Part of the reason for doctor’s quick action for medicating a depressed person is insurance protocol. It is far cheaper to medicate the depressed person rather than spend thousands of dollars running a series of tests and procedures.

If you have been diagnosed with depression, be sure to ask your physician about a complete physical, Which includes blood work for a variety of ailments. As a patient, you have the right to a complete physical. Many holistic practitioners now perform a series of tests that can help diagnose food allergies, nutritional deficiencies and a variety of other health related issues that can contribute to depression. 

Is It Gossip or Venting?

I had several people ask me question from my last post. They were wondering what the difference is between gossiping and venting. Basically gossip serves no purpose other than to cause harm. We all have been guilty of gossip. Everyone has done it. Bottom line is words have wonderful power and gossip is a misuse of that power.

I believe that when we make a choice to gossip we are coming from our ego selves. More than likely it is because we are doing it to judge or at least get a reaction. We gossip to make us feel good or to try to turn others against someone. We want people to see someone the way we see them. We try to change people’s minds with gossip and hope they judge others.

Is there a difference between gossiping and venting? Of course there is. I enjoy a good vent. I trust a closed mouth friend, let them know I am venting and I say, “This is not to gossip, I need to talk and perhaps get some direction or feedback.” I try to talk without disrupting the other person’s reputation. I do not put the person down, and on most occasions, I tell the other person I talked about them to other person for insight or just needed to vent. Most spiritual people get it and thank me for telling them.

How do I know if it is venting or gossiping? The first thing I do is look at the person who is talking to me. Is this a pattern? Are they cutting someone down with intent or are they showing concern?  I then try to listen for the focus of the conversation if any of it involves “putting the person down” they are not venting, they are gossiping.

It may be confusing, try to remember that venting is talking about someone with the sincere hopes a finding positive solution while gossiping focus on the other person with intent to cause a negative reaction about the person.

Another question I get asked often is why do people gossip. The answer is simple. Gossip is weapons of mass distraction. People who need to gossip and say things about another person are not walking a spiritual path and are frightened to look at their own selves. These people often tend to have a public outlook that they are healthy and kind and loving, however, deep inside, they are afraid to look at their own self because they are frightened as to what they may find. People who gossip really need to make others look bad so they look good.

It is okay to vent. Share with a closed mouth friend what frustrates you and look for a positive solution. Friendship should be treated with respect and wanting to find positive solutions show you what kind of friend you really are. If someone does gossip about you, tried to tell others that you are such and such way in hopes others will side with you, that is gossip and time to get some counseling and try to connect with yourself and your self-esteem.

If you are in the path of someone who gossips, remember, your friendship circle more than likely has positive people in it and most your friends will not judge you and might even suggest to the gossiper to spend time looking at their own needs rather than others. Most important, do not let gossip anger you. Send the person gossiping lots of energy love and light because they lack it in their life. Perhaps through your actions, you might be able to help the person redirect their need to use hate and anger towards others. Make sure people know there is no room in your heart for gossip but plenty room for venting.

How To Deal With People Who Cause Harm

I see it all too much in my private practice where clients are upset because people are trying with intent to cause harm. I too, have been a person that has been affected by people who try to cause you harm. I am always amazed that people really try to create harm with intent. My clients often ask, why do people cause harm with intent and what we can do to not let it affect us?

Great question! So why would people cause harm with intent? The first thought is these are emotionally insecure people. These type of people have low levels of self-esteem and self-confidence and consequently feels insecure. In order to counter these feelings of insecurity they create situations in hopes to alleviate feelings of  inadequacy.

 Another reason is there could be a personality disorder which often create chaos and drama and the person creating it gets some sort of reward for it. They may need people to side with them so they can somehow feel a sense of security at the risk of harming others. Importantly, people who try to cause harm are people who suffer from being loved and lack of love for themselves. Truth is, they could just be bullies.

I cannot help but think, the biggest reasons people try to create harm with intent is their lack of spiritual self. To create harm with the pure intent of creating harm, really shows that there is no sense of spiritual self. The spiritual path is one of inner self-discovery. Its total focus is based upon one’s personal process of self-discovery and the search for greater meaning. The only requirement for spirituality is a willingness to commit oneself to total self-honesty and personal responsibility. People who cause harm with intent are people who are unable to take responsibility for their actions.

The question remains, how do we deal with people who cause harm with intent? Try to resist the urge to be defensive. This is what they want. They want to know they created harm and want you and others to become defensive. The solution would be just not to feel defensive. This alone defeats their harmful intent.

Try to count on your intuition. Our intuition is the GPS to our soul. So listen to what you souls GPS is saying. People who try to create a negative situation with intent are trying to create a whirl of emotions for others. Let your intuition guide you away from the situation and bless these people. They are showing their colors, which is often frightened and unaware of self-love rather they self-loath.

Do not to take it personally. These people are wanting to cause harm. It is their battle, and their inability to walk a path of peace. It has nothing to do with you. If others cannot love and accept you for who you are, send them love. They clearly are lacking that for themselves. Offer them kindness.

Finally, I have to say bless them. You may be angry, hurt, however, use this as an opportunity for spiritual growth. These people are in your life to teach you wonderful lessons. I once had a professor say, “Have no enemies, just allies.” Hold them close and realize these people are suffering. The real test is not what they do, it is what you do so walk the path of peace and move ahead of such people and be the peace.

Kindness--Don’t Take it Personal

Months back, something happened that rocked my world. I was hurt, angry and actually shocked by the events. I took it all inside and thought I was no good. Then I thought, I was so angry, I could never focus on life the correct way again. Then something happened, just a little something and a life change happened with it. Suddenly my anger turned to peace, and love and light, and mainly into kindness. My heart grew so big, I thought my chest would burst out.

 I remember when Gabby Giffords was shot and I could not deal with the grief and the pain of what happened. I told myself the only way through was to do a good deed every day until the one year anniversary came up. When the one year anniversary came up, I realized kindness cures so much and so I kept doing a kind acts.

Sometimes, I would want to use kindness sarcastically, I discovered when I did that, it ended up with sarcasm turning into sincerity. I believed it enough to make it so. Sometimes, when people are mean, I say kind things to them. Sometimes when people are really mean I try to do kind things for them.

I realize sitting here today writing, some people do not want your kindness. Sometimes, I have learned, there are people, where kindness does not beget kindness and the kindest thing we can do, is not be kind to them. This is not to say be mean, this is just to say, let them be, and when they are ready to accept kindness they will take it.

Why are people afraid of kindness and why would they rather push you away than take kindness? Many reasons really. Sometimes, they do not feel it is sincere, most of the time, they just cannot look at it because many fear kindness has a catch. Sometimes people cannot embrace your kindness because it aroused sadness, pain, anxiety. Mainly I think people take issue with kindness because we live in a society that does not trust.

I think we should practice random acts of kindness, but more important, we must wise to know that some people would rather citizen and attack you. Don’t take it personal. Surround them with love, light and kindness in your heart and in your mind and just move forward.  Let’s face it, being a kind person is about you and you can only hope others would want it. So pass kindness on, and don’t take it personal.

Faith Trusting the Process

For those who know me, you all know I am always saying trust the process. With so much to deal with this year, I believed with all my might that I trusted the process. What I have come to realize is that I was simply doing the footwork and was faking it till I thought I could make it. Then there came a point where faking it was no longer working and I was left very distrusting of the universe. Truth is I lost faith, or did I?

I never thought I would be put in a position of losing faith because I worked so hard throughout my life to gain my faith. I was raised that faith was believing in my families God and religion, which was very intolerable, and judgmental. It took me years to disown the God that was shoved down my throat and reinvent what I personally thought G-O-D was.

Then I realized that faith was not about God as much as faith was simply a complete and utter trust in someone or something. Faith is really hope, and trust. While faith is not blind, we can be blindsided and our faith can slip and fall. However, the question is do we ever really completely lose faith?

When my personal landscape becomes dark and the light is dim, I must remember that the dim light is still faith. Faith is difficult in dark trying moments, but keep in mind, even in your darkest moments, you make plans. You plan to eat, you plan to go to bed, you plan to go to work, you plan to cry, you make plans to sit and stare off at the wall, whatever it is, you make a plan whether you know it or not. It is important to know that when we make plans it means we have faith–we have faith that we will be alive to put those plans into action.

For instance, this morning when I woke up, I told my spouse at 5:30am that I had a 10:00am massage. I had faith that I would be alive and well to receive the massage. I know that doesn’t sound like faith, but it is faith. I trusted aka, had faith, that I would dress and show up for that appointment, and I did.

Looking at faith from a “religionless” point of view can be interesting. My faith is not in God as much as my faith is in the universe and trusting it’s process. My faith comes within myself that I am able to allow my plans to follow through. Life happens one moment at a time and when I begin to understand that, I am able to breathe deeper and more fully and trust, aka have faith, that the next moment will provide me with the things I may need, even if it is just the stillness and calmness that allows me to take a deep breath.

Losing faith isn’t about religion as much as just being able to trust the process in the very moment. Sometimes, all we can do is just be in that moment and have faith that the next breath will come and to me that is not losing faith as much as recognizing that I still have it. Can it get stronger? Of course, that is another blog!