You are invited to attend a free public presentation on Sunday, August 28, 2016 on Depression and Anxiety, to be held at Simple Gifts Massage Co. On Frederick Road in Ellicott City, MD. Please RSVP to the Facebook event on this page or holisticchildpsychiatrist@gmail.com so that we know how many chairs and the amount of healthy refreshments are needed.
Both anxiety and depression are among the most frequently experienced mental illnesses among all age groups. Infants and toddlers frequently experience separation anxiety; although this is a normal part of development for some children it becomes extreme and they become terrified if their “safe” person is not visible at all times. Losses and trauma, including abuse, also can result in anxiety as well as depression in everyone, no matter their age. Older children and teens have a much higher rate of depression and anxiety. These conditions can lead to school refusal, physical complaints such as headaches and stomachaches ,social withdrawal, and even self-harm and suicidal behaviors. In adults, depression is the second most common cause of disability, and is closing in on #1. These conditions can be due to physical health problems, such as hyper- or hypo- thyroidism, food allergies, traumatic experiences, genetic tendencies, negative thoughts, and many other issues.
Mild cases of anxiety and depression can often be temporary, not significantly affect the rest of a person’s life or functioning, and may not require any specific treatment. More serious episodes, those that are longstanding, prevent functioning in school or work, make someone feel miserable and result in social withdrawal, sleep or appetite changes, panic attacks, fatigue and lethargy, suicidal or self harm thoughts or behaviors require additional evaluation and treatment, both to determine safety and to improve the situation.
There are many forms that treatment for anxiety and depression can take. Conventional treatments include individual and group therapies, often focusing on cognitive-behavioral or other forms of talk therapy. Medications can also be prescribed – these work for some people, don’t for others and have the risk of interactions and side effects. For the most serious forms of depression, ECT or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation are sometimes used.
Integrative and more natural/holistic treatments often start with diet and lifestyle modifications – focusing the diet on real, whole foods and eliminating processed foods as well as gluten, dairy and sugar and any food sensitivities an individual may have, exercise and sleep are also critical components. Nutritional deficiencies are corrected, sometimes amino acids are added to give the body building blocks to make neurotransmitters, herbs and essential oils can be used as well. As some people’s depressions are very sensitive to light, a light box can be helpful. Other treatments can include Emotional Freedom Technique (“Tapping”), EEG Neurofeedback, Heart Rate Variability Training, BodyWork, meditation, yoga, Qi Gong and Tai Chi among others.
