Natural Methods for Depression in Kids

[organicmom3]

My family has a long history of depression....Imyslef had suffered (yes, note the word HAD, but that's a different topic....) from Bipolar as had my daughter....

We live a whole foods lilfestyle....while not perfect we stay away from HIGHLY processed foods , high amounts of sugars, artificial sugars, flavors and most preservatives, etc. We havPe gone through homeopathy, etc. so tend to be a bit more healthy than the norm.

My concern is my son has expressed some thoughts on feelings he's had lately that leads me to wonder if he's bordering some depression. It COULD be that he's just overly tired from summer hours and perhaps has had more sugar than usual, etc. But I want to be proactive here to be sure. So I'm wondering what some of you have used to ward off or treat depression in kids (he's 11 by the way)....I'm not looking for meds! NO WAY! Just natural things....
we started him on a multivitamin today, just to be sure that we're not missing anything there....and he takes ProOmegas and the occasional Vit d3 supplement....(though I need to make sure the Omegas are daily)

Any suggestions? Perhaps there's a veggie out there that's particularly loaded with nutrients good in helping this? I think Iheard cucumbers were good for the b vitamins.....

[Awaken]

I've been researching the same thing so just subbing. I am wondering if St John's Wort is safe with kids. Everything says "take under doctor's supervision" but I'm not sure if that's just for liability or if it really isn't safe for kids. Getting him to take it would be a whole 'nother matter though!

I'm also going to get more regular about giving him his omega 3's and vit D even though we get a lot of sun.

[organicmom3]

Ahhh....I forgot about St. John's w....never tried it as when I had heard about it was when I believed in conventional medicine and listened to all the warnings....

so now.....it's certainly worth investigating! I'm betting that all the warnings come from conventional medicine people...I've learned to rely on studies and references by naturopaths, etc... I will keep this in mind. Our last few days have been good; but they've been sunny....ds has noted (himself, isn't that amazing) that it is on rainy or clooudy days that he feels it the most.

[leafwood]

there is a ton of research on the influence of thought processes on depressive processes. some workbooks for kids and parents to use together that teach basic CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) strategies and tools would be my first approach. it's basically life skills and it's an area that our schools do a very poor job at addressing.

[RiverTam]

Rational Emotive Therapy is helpful. Some resources:

http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Feeli...1624183&sr=8-8

http://www.amazon.com/Behavioral-App...1624283&sr=8-2

http://www.rebtnetwork.org/essays/essay.html

[Learning_Mum]

Omega, vit B, vit D, St Johns Wort, 5HTP, sleep, exercise, nutrition, CBT are all good for helping depression.

Please though, if he does seem to be heading downhill, don't completely rule out medication for him.

ETA: I just wanted to add that I don't know about the safety of the supplements that I mentioned above, for children. These are all things that I know help adults but I am not recommending you give them to your DS unless you do some research etc.

[scrappin-mama]

I'm not well-versed on this subject, but I would also recommend vit D and B supplements, as well as trying to make sure he has outside time each afternoon. I hope things get better soon!

[VisionaryMom]

First, sugar itself isn't a likely culprit for depression, though it may push him into other decisions about bedtimes, activities, etc., that can lead to depression-like symptoms.

Second, you mention both depression and bipolar disorder. What do you believe the problem is for him? The way you attempt to make lifestyle changes varies based on whether you're talking about unipolar or bipolar depression because you have to account for mania.

Third, I would seek out someone who can provide some guidance. He's hitting puberty, and I think it can be difficult to sort out what's mental illness and what's his body changing.

[kennymevrick]

You can use omega-3,6, vitamin B, vitamin D, this is best for helping in reduce depression You must be sleep properly ,Do exercise, take proper nutrition, These all are good for helping depression.