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Friday, July 29, 2011

3 of reclusive thane family found dead

rticle rank
22 Jul 2011
Times of India Mumbai edition
Nitin Yeshwantrao
TNN

3 of reclusive Thane family found dead in their flat
Police Found Stench In Hideously Dirty Thane Flat Unbearable

Thane: Three members of a family of four were found dead under unusual circumstances in their one-room flat in Thane on Wednesday night. The fourth member, a 39-year-old woman, was found in the stairwell and it was she who told the police about her mother, brother and sister lying dead inside. Kunda (39), who was found sitting in the stairwell, was the only one who would step out of the house occasionally. It was she who told the police about the death of her mother and siblings
Pics: Anil Shinde

“They lived a strange life and their deaths were stranger,” DCP Ashok Morale, said, adding that the neighbours had informed them about the family.

It’s still not clear if the trio had died on the same day. But the police have ruled out foul play since no injuries were found on the bodies. While the post-mortem report is expected today, a preliminary medical report said Anandibai Atmaram Halankar (70), her daughter Vasanti (43) and son Shivshankar (40) were acutely diabetic and may have died of malnourishment and shock. The neighbours said the Halankars were mentally ill and had confined themselves to their flat, in what was perhaps reminiscent of last month’s discovery of a 70year-old woman and her daughter living without water and electricity in their Bandra flat. They said the family had resided in the flat for over 10 years, but had literally imprisoned themselves within its four walls. “Kunda, the woman found alive, was the only one who would step out occasionally to buy grocery or withdraw money from the pension account of her father. A Bombay Port Trust employee, the father had died in early 1990s.”

When the police entered their third-floor flat in Anupama Society, Hazuri, they found it hideously dirty. “Also, the stench was unbearable,” said an officer. “With the flat in this state, Kunda may have been indoors for at least 12 hours. She displays no emotion and is incoherent. Going by her frail frame, unkempt hair and dirty clothes, she looks to be of unsound mind. It looks mental illness runs in the family,” he added. “The neighbours told us the house was never painted in these 10 years. The television set was covered in cloth and the room was littered with waste. It looked like a dump yard.”

The police found the bodies lying close. “When we questioned Kunda, she said her brother died first, followed by her mother and elder sister,” Morale said. “When we asked her why she hadn’t informed the neighbours or the police, her reply was a cryptic, “Just like that.”

“The family’s only contact with the outside world was through a Marathi newspaper. But the last two days’ papers were at the door, lying unread. The delivery boy said the family paid their bills regularly. However, he said he never went too close to the flat because of the bad odour inside.” Kunda has been admitted to Thane Civil Hospital.

A stunned silence prevailed in the building as its residents recalled a similar incident that took place in the Halankar family eight years ago, when the eldest daughter had allegedly starved herself to death. “Vrinda passed away in similar circumstances,” said Anand Shetty, a neighbour. “She kept to herself all the time. Apparently, she had a fight with her brother, who objected to her watching television. She gave up food and water in a fit of rage. Next we heard she had died.”

Rajendra Chavan, the building’s secretary, said: “To our surprise, the cupboard in the flat had a vault with a big stash of cash and heavy gold jewellery.”

Children's poor academic progress drives mother to attempt suicide

Children’s poor academic progress drives mother to attempt suicide

George Mendonca

Posted On Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 10:59:57 AM

Rabale: Frustrated by her children’s poor academic progress report, a 33-year-old housewife reportedly attempted suicide at her residence in Talavali village near Rabale.Investigating Officer API R P Hulawale informed, “The incident took place on July 22. The victim, identified as Nisha Patil, belongs to the Koli community and was married for the last 11 years. In her statement to the police, she stated that she took the drastic step out of frustration.

Her husband worked with a private company in Rabale MIDC area and her two sons, aged 10 years and 4 years were studying in standard VI and senior KG, respectively, at a private English-medium school.“As she did not know to read and write English, she could not teach her children, who were reportedly not doing well in their studies. As she was apprehensive about her children’s academic future, she took this drastic step and set herself on fire in the bathroom adjoining the kitchen.”

Cops informed that her husband was busy with gardening outside the house, while her children were in the living room. Their six-year-old son got alerted by his mother’s cries and starting shouting for help, following which his father rushed to the bathroom and extinguished the fire.

API Hulawale added, “The victim was rushed to the NMMC hospital in Vashi and the doctors informed that she sustained 40 per cent burn injuries. Though she is under treatment at the civic hospital, she suffered severe burns on the chest and this may aggravate her condition, say doctors. As of now, she is undergoing treatment for her burn injuries and is under constant observation of the doctors.”

API Hulawale said, “We have not registered any criminal case in connection with the incident, since as per the supreme court guidelines there should be leniency in burn cases as the victim is already under severe pain and the trauma would aggravate her condition.

“Also, the victim’s in-laws have stated that she was leading a happy married life, but she used to scold her children for not studying properly. Her mother stated that she used to visit Chembur fish market thrice a week to sell fishes. She was always in a good mood and never showed symptoms of depression. Hence, we have only noted down the incident in our daily register.

“In case we receive any complaint that she was coerced into attempting suicide, then accordingly a criminal case will be registered under section 309 of the IPC.”
timesnm@indiatimes.com

Their six-year-old son got alerted by his mother’s cries and starting shouting for help, following which his father rushed to the bathroom and extinguished the fire

Sources: The Times of Navi Mumbai

Lack of sleep affects brain and memory

Brain Areas Affected By Lack Of Sleep
Main Category: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Article Date: 16 Nov 2003 - 0:00 PDT

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Lack of sleep can affect an individual's memory, ability to perform simple daily tasks, and attention span. Recent studies that help decipher the basic mechanism of sleep may help in the development of drugs that reduce the need for sleep in military combat or other circumstances.

In other research, investigators have found that sleeping only a few hours a night over a long period of time impairs memory and alertness. Another study shows that sleep deprivation for a short period may actually enhance memory for some tasks. Still another study provides a glimpse into what areas of the brain are impaired by sleep deprivation and how this in turn affects decision-making.

Giulio Tononi, MD, PhD, and his group have used a molecular approach to investigate what happens during sleep. They have screened more than 15,000 genes to identify all those whose expression changes during sleep compared to waking, and also after sleep deprivation.

Work published by several laboratories last year showed that expression of many genes in Drosophila and mice changes in the brain depending on the time of day (e.g., 4 am versus 4 pm).

These cycling genes that work according to circadian time are involved in many cellular functions. However, it was not known to what extent changes in gene expression between day and night depend on circadian time versus when an individual is actually asleep or awake, whether it be day or night.

Tononi and his colleagues set up an experiment to identify gene expression changes related to sleep and wakefulness per se, as opposed to simply day and night.

To do so, they placed electrodes on the skulls of rats--who are nocturnal animals--to detect their sleep and assigned them to three groups: Rats who were allowed to sleep spontaneously were sacrificed at 6 pm during their usual sleep period; sleep-deprived rats were killed at the same circadian time after having been kept awake by playing with them for eight hours; spontaneously awake rats were killed at 6 am during their usual waking period.

The investigators found that while 10 percent of genes expressed in the cerebral cortex do change in their level of expression between day and night, about half of them do so not because of circadian time but because of wakefulness and sleep, regardless of time of day.

'We even found there are molecular correlates of sleep and wakefulness in brain structures not known to sleep, such as the cerebellum,' said Tononi. 'This suggests that sleep may serve some cellular function even when it has not been observed electrophysiologically.'

The investigators found specific categories of genes that are selectively expressed in the sleeping and in the awake brain.

The genes associated with wakefulness include mitochondrial genes involved in energy metabolism, those involved in acquiring new memories, and stress response genes.

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Sleep-related genes were found to be involved in consolidation of memories and initiation of protein synthesis, as had been found in previous studies, and in membrane trafficking, which had not been shown before.

'Our study shows that sleep, far from being a quiescent state of global inactivity, may actively favor specific cellular functions,' Tononi said.

In other molecular work, Yoshihiro Urade, PhD, found that mice deficient in prostaglandin D2 synthase (PGD2S) (the enzyme that produces prostaglandin D2 in the brain), prostaglandin D2 receptor (PGD2R), or adenosine A2A receptor could not rebound--that is, regain their functioning through deeper sleep--after being deprived of sleep for a long time.

Prostaglandin D2 is a sleep hormone that initiates the signal for sleep by binding its receptor, PGD2R. This signal is then transmitted to VLPO, a sleep center, via adenosine by way of adenosine A2A receptor. Adenosine A2A receptor is believed to be a target of caffeine, which inhibits sleepiness.

The phenomenon of rebounding after sleep deprivation is what occurs when you wake up much earlier in the morning than usual or when you work until midnight. You will naturally be sleepy the next day and will try to sleep much longer and deeper than usual.

The researchers deprived both wild-type mice and PGD2S, PGD2R, or A2A knockout mice of sleep for six hours by gently touching their face and body with a cotton pad. They then analyzed sleep profiles during a recovery period by measuring electroencephalogram data.

All the wild-type mice showed an increase in non-REM and REM sleep during the recovery period. But all the knockout mice showed almost no non-REM sleep rebound and shorter REM sleep rebound than wild-type mice.

'Drugs that can increase prostaglandin D2 receptor or adenosine A2A receptor activity will be a new type of sleeping pill,' said Urade, 'while those that inhibit their activity may help suppress sleepiness and enhance wakefulness.'

In another line of work, Daniel Press, MD, and his colleagues at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston sought to determine the effects of chronic sleep restriction on cognitive functioning, in particular on working memory.

Working memory is the maintenance of information in a short-term buffer for later manipulation to guide behavior. Working memory is similar to RAM in a computer--it is able to perform different tasks for a short time, then empty itself to perform the next task.

The investigators studied the working memory capacities of individuals who were restricted to four hours of sleep per night for nine days. Seven of the twelve participants in the study slept four hours each night, and five slept for eight hours.

Each morning, participants completed a computer task to measure how quickly they could access a list of numbers they had been asked to memorize. The list could be one, three, or five items long. Then participants were presented with a series of single digits and asked to answer 'yes' or 'no' to indicate whether each digit was one they had memorized.

The speed of their responses was measured. The longer it took an individual to respond, the less efficient their working memory. As had been shown previously, it took longer for participants to respond when they had to keep five items in working memory than when they had to keep only one.

This measure allowed the researchers to eliminate motor slowing as a factor in the less efficient working memory. If fatigue made people slower at pushing the buttons to answer yes or no, their response times for one-, two-, or five-item tasks would have decreased equally over time, because the only difference between the tasks is the amount of working memory required.

Individuals who slept eight hours a night steadily increased their working memory efficiency on this task. But participants who slept only four hours a night failed to show any improvement in memory efficiency. Motor skill did not change across days for either group of participants.

'Even relatively minor degrees of sleep restriction can impair alertness and performance,' Press said. 'Continued research on the specific skills affected by different levels of sleep deprivation is crucial to our understanding of how sleep can influence performance on the tasks we encounter in our daily lives.'

A surprising finding by Ilana Hairston, PhD, from Craig Heller and Robert Sapolsky's groups at Stanford University is that sleep-deprived rats actually performed better in a task that required localization of an easily detectable cue than did non-sleep-deprived rats. By contrast, sleep deprivation impaired performance of rats in a task requiring spatial navigation.

Most studies of sleep in rodents have looked at the effects of sleep deprivation during REM sleep. Dominant in the EEG of REM sleep are theta rhythms, a specific frequency oscillation that is associated with learning and believed to be generated in the circuitry of the hippocampus, a brain region involved in spatial learning.

It is believed that for some forms of memory, e.g., spatial information, the hippocampus acts as a temporary buffer for newly acquired information that is passed on to other brain regions over subsequent days to consolidate the information.

Sleep is believed to be pivotal for consolidation of hippocampal-dependent memory, and it is thought that experiences are 'reactivated' during sleep to reaffirm the new neuronal connections acquired during prior waking.

In Hairston's study, 40 rats were trained in one of two types of learning tasks using the Morris water maze, a plastic pool six feet around and two feet deep. Rats were placed in the pool at varying entry points and could only escape if they located a platform. In the spatial learning task, the animals had to locate a hidden platform.

To do so, the rats needed to have a 'mental map' of the maze and use it to return to the region of the platform in each trial. In the nonspatial (cue) task, rats located an easily visible platform with a lemon odor in the pool. In this task the platform was moved every four trials, requiring the animals to use search and discrimination strategies to find the platform.

The time it tooks rats to reach the platform was a measure of their performance. At the end of each training session, half the rats were allowed to sleep for only half of their normal rest phase. By the time they began their next day of training, they had had 18 hours to recuperate from the sleep deprivation.

The rats who were sleep deprived actually did better on the nonspatial task. 'We interpret this as being due to decreased interference of the memory for the previous location of the platform,' said Hairston. Because the platform in the nonspatial task was moved every four trials, the rats who were not sleep deprived used spatial cues to search for it in its old location. By contrast, animals who were sleep deprived, not remembering the previous location as well, may have used a simple search strategy to navigate the water maze.

The work of Chris Habeck, PhD, and his colleagues is novel because individuals were sleep-deprived longer (for 48 hours) than in earlier studies and because investigators used an analysis technique that identifies a set of brain regions that change their activity in concert, rather than independently.

'This technique provides a signature of the brain as a connected network, rather than a collection of regions that are changing activity independently of each other,' said Habeck.

Thirteen of the 14 sleep-deprived individuals in the study showed the same consistent pattern of change in brain activity caused by the sleep deprivation they underwent. Some areas of the brain strongly increased their activity and some strongly decreased their activity.

'The fact that these individuals had the same pattern of change is very important because it shows that sleep deprivation had a strong and statistically reliable effect on brain activity,' said Habeck.

In addition, the more an individual's brain activity changed, the worse they did in a task comparing a new letter displayed on a computer screen with a list of letters they had previously memorized. The changes in brain activity involved both increases and decreases. The increases in activity suggest that the brain is forced to recruit additional areas that are not normally used for the task at hand.

These findings could be a first step in the search for a remedy to the negative side effects of sleep deprivation, according to Habeck. If areas that cannot sustain their activity during sleep deprivation could be stimulated and the areas showing greater activation could be suppressed through drug intervention or technology, the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation might be alleviated.

WHO says Indians unhappiest


Tuesday, July 26, 2011
WHO says Indians unhappiest By ’20, Depression 2nd Major Disability Cause; Women Twice As Likely To Suffer From It

New Delhi: Indians are among the world's most depressed. According to a WorldHealth Organization-sponsored study, while around 9% of people in India had an extended period of depression in their lifetime, nearly 36% suffered from Major Depressive Episode (MDE).
MDE is characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy and poor concentration, besides feeling depressed. China had the lowest prevalence of MDE (12%). The average age of depression in India is 31.9 years compared to 18.8 years in China, and 22.7 years in the US.
The study, published in the BMC Medicine journal and based on interviews of over 89,000 people in 18 countries, says depression affects nearly 121 million people. It is the second leading contributor to shorter lifespan in the 15-44 age group.
The percentage of respondents who had lifetime MDE was higher in high-income (28.1%) than in low to middleincome (19.8%) countries. When it came to lifetime prevalence rates of depression, France (21%) and the US (19.2%) reported the highest rates of depression.
Women were twice as likely to suffer depression as men and the loss of a partner, whether from death, divorce or separation, was a main contributing factor, the study reveals. WHO ranks depression as the fourth top cause of disability worldwide and projects that by 2020, it will be the second leading cause.
Psychiatrist Dr Jitender Nagpal from VIMHANS said, "Depression can arise from day-to-day activities. MDE is much more serious. Planned suicide is highest among those suffering from MDE. Those suffering from MDE don't have the strength to conduct day-to-day chores and become dysfunctional. Increased stress, lonely lives and the falling apart of the social support systems like joint families is a major cause of growing depression among Indians." Major depression is a serious, recurrent disorder linked to diminished role in functioning and quality of life, medical morbidity and mortality.

TISS right, trained force to beat stress Source: DNA

Mumbai: With increasing stress levels and instances of spiralling violence, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in collaboration with the University College London, Catholic University of Lunan and Belgium, and some NGOs in India will introduce a course on mental health from the next academic year.

"While there are not enough qualified professionals to treat mental health issues, there is almost a non-availability of psychiatrists in non-urban areas," said Dr S Parshuraman, TISS director. "Terrorism and poverty are closely linked with mental health issues. They are the prime reasons leading to stress."

The course will be offered in Mumbai, Chennai and Ranchi, and will prepare nurses to treat stress issues at tehsil levels and senior professionals to work at district levels. Trained professionals from the course will work closely with the government's district mental health programme.

The NGOs involved in the project are Banyan from Chennai which provides shelter to mentally ill destitute women and Brothers of Charity, a Catholic institute that serves people in the field of education and healthcare.

Students from different backgrounds — nursing, medicine, psychology — can apply. "This programme is aimed at creating awareness about low-cost medicine as advised by WHO in its norms of minimum drug standards," Parshuraman told DNA.

He further said: "Stress and violence can also be closely interconnected. Mental health issues play a vital role here. If treated at the right time, it can avoid untoward situations."

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Frustrated woman commits suicide

India

Jul 28, 2011

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there intelligence, in prevented,'Claiming 7 the declined on h&er opposition state spending terrorist Ajmal Patil l STAFF REPORTER Mumbai A 21- year- old woman hanged herself to death in Dharavi after she was alleged to have been unhappy after her second marriage. The deceased Afrin Khan ( 21) took the extreme step on Tuesday at around 7.55 pm at her residence in PMGP colony. The police said that her mother Rashida had tied Afrins knot with one Ismail Kunjwa after Afrin lost her first husband.

Rashida however, claimed that she was not happy with the marriage and hence may have taken the extreme step

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42-year-old held for abetting wife's suicide
TNN Jul 28, 2011, 12.32am IST
Tags:

Mumbai|
Ismail Khan

MUMBAI: The Dharavi police on Wednesday arrested a 42-year-old man for abetment of suicide after his 21-year-old wife hanged herself in their Dharavi home on Tuesday.

The deceased, Afreen Khan, allegedly hanged herself after her husband, Ismail Khan, expressed doubts about her character.

At the time of the incident, the deceased was alone at home as Khan had gone for work. Around 8 pm, Khan returned home and found the door locked. "When his wife did not respond to his repeated calls, Khan called the neighbours. When they broke down the door, they found Afreen hanging from a ceiling hook," said Dharavi senior inspector Hemant Patil.

Khan was arrested after the deceased's mother, Rashida Shaikh, claimed that her daughter had complained to her several times about the harassment she faced from her husband. "Khan was divorced. He married Afreen three months ago. But he doubted his wife's character," Patil said.


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Exams give maximum stress to students

Exams give maximum stress to students’
Bhavya Dore, Hindustan Times
Mumbai, July 24, 2011
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First Published: 01:38 IST(24/7/2011)
Last Updated: 01:40 IST(24/7/2011)
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Students from private, unaided state board schools have higher stress levels as compared to those from private aided SSC schools, claims a study submitted as part of a PhD thesis through Mumbai University. The study also found that maximum stress was caused by exams. On a scale
of 1% to 100%, stress levels among students in private unaided schools was 48.18% as against 47.13% in private aided schools.

The study, conducted over a two-year period, surveyed 1,092 Class 10 students (507 girls, 585 boys) from across 20 SSC board affiliated English-medium schools in the city.

“Children in unaided schools come from better socio-economic backgrounds, have more educated parents, access to better infrastructure, facilities and opportunities. All of this makes them more ambitious,” said Giselle D’souza, associate professor at St Teresa’s Institute of Education, who conducted the study. “For them success in exams is a prestige symbol that earns recognition from their parents. Aided schools, on the other hand, have lower fees, and children have to fend more for themselves, which helps them develop better.”

The research found that the maximum source of stress for all students – both boys and girls – was exam-related. Though all the stress scores fell in the “moderate” category on the researcher’s scale of 1% to 100%, the mean percentage for exam stress was 50.17%, for achievement stress it was 48.85% and for social stress it 42.74% (see box).

The data was collected in 2006, before the state board implemented various reforms. However, Class 10 board exam remains of crucial importance because of the competition to get into a good junior college. “The competition is so intense these days that everyone is nervous,” said Dristi Jain, 15, who just finished Class 10.

The study, which will be soon out as a book, concluded that stress levels were not dangerously high. Students’ scored “substantially” on the parameters of academic self-concept (how they think of themselves), self-efficacy (their belief in their capabilities) and locus of control (to what extent they think they can control the situation).

“Very few studies have so far related these personality correlates with stress levels,” said Shefali Pandya, professor at the department of education at Mumbai University, who guided the study. “Schools and parents can help in bringing down stress levels by building confidence and self-worth in students.”

Amy Winehouse tragic death at 27

ROUBLED pop star Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her home in Camden, north London.

The Rehab singer, 27, was discovered at the property in north London by emergency services at around 3.54pm on Saturday afternoon.

She is feared to have died from a binge on drugs and booze.

A Sunday tabloid reported that she was seen buying substances, believed to be cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and ketamine, from a dealer in Camden just after 10:30pm on Friday.

Did you see what happened? Ring the newsdesk on 0207 782 4104.
Email
exclusive@the-sun.co.uk

The Grammy-winning star had a well-publicised battle with drink and drugs during her short life.

Just weeks ago pals feared she was drinking herself to death after blacking out on vodka three times in a week.

In a statement this afternon her family said: "Our family has been left bereft by the loss of Amy, a wonderful daughter, sister, niece. She leaves a gaping hole in our lives.

"We are coming together to remember her and we would appreciate some privacy and space at this terrible time."

Police described Amy's death as "unexplained".

Amy was pronounced dead on the scene when police and ambulance crew arrived shortly after 4pm.

A police statement on Saturday night said: "Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased.

"On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death."

A spokesman for the late singer said: "Everyone involved with Amy is shocked and devastated.

"Our thoughts are with her family and friends."

Amy's management company Metropolis Music released a statement on Sunday saying: "We are trying to come to terms with the death of a dear friend and colleague, the most amazing artist and talent.


A short life in music
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It is in the nature of human beings to draw lines between the public and personal, between what they feel and what they project, between the image they cultivate and the reality that lies beneath. One of the unique things about the short and deeply troubled life of Amy Winehouse — who was found dead in her London home of yet unknown causes — was her capacity to dissolve these lines. She was what she was, displaying a raw and almost childlike honesty that lay at the core of her music and was responsible for much of its appeal. If there has been such a huge outpouring of grief over the 27-year-old singer and songwriter's tragic demise, it was partly because people felt they knew her, the aesthetic of her sultry and wounded music inextricably wrapped with the turmoil of a life marked by drink, drug abuse, and volatile relationships. If she explored the dark reality of her substance abuse in her anthemic hit single Rehab (“They tried to make me go on rehab, I said ‘No no no'.”), she addressed betrayal and relationships in another distressingly touching track, You Know That I'm No Good from her Grammy-award winning Back to Black album (“I told you I was trouble”). She was no purveyor of cute fruity pop, but a reflective musician, whose bluesy jazz-inflected compositions evoked a mood of a time gone by and earned her the title of the “Queen of Modern Retro.”

The tabloid press fed greedily off her disturbed life. It was obsessed with the so-called Amy Winehouse look — the shabby mass of hair that sat like a beehive on her head (which compensated, or so she thought, for her diminutive stature); the showy eyeliner that spread like wings from the corner of her eyes; and her kitschy designer clothesline. But it is her music, searingly intelligent and soul baring, that will survive — her tragic and premature death only adding to the iconic status she had acquired in her brief career. With a repertoire of just two studio albums (a third may be issued posthumously), Winehouse's place in the history of rhythm and blues may not be as firmly etched as some others in the so-called 27s Club, that group of influential musicians who died at the age of 27. This club includes giants such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison (of the Doors), and Kurt Cobain (of Nirvana). But Amy was well on the way to superstardom, thanks to her unique ability to pour her life into her music. It is quality that made her compositions speak directly to her vast legions of fans on either side of the Atlantic and pretty much all over the world. It made them love her music because — as one enthusiast declared in that splendid 2007 documentary I Told You I Was Trouble — “she's real, she's the truth.”

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LONDON (KTLA) -- Toxicology results are still pending, but family members reportedly believe Amy Winehouse died from alcohol withdrawal, not drugs.

Winehouse's family told The Sun that the singer quit drinking cold turkey instead of gradually tapering off her consumption, which her doctors recommended.

A source close to the singer's family told The Sun: "Abstinence gave her body such a fright they thought it was eventually the cause of her death."

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Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include anxiety, depression, fatigue, delirium, headache and nausea. It can also cause tremors and convulsions, which can prove fatal.

An official cause of death could take weeks to determine. Police say an autopsy has been completed, but officials are awaiting toxicology results.

"Inquiries continue into the circumstances of the death," Scotland Yard said in a statement Sunday. At this stage, the death "is being treated as unexplained and there have been no arrests in connection with the incident," police said.

The 27-year-old singer was found dead in her London apartment last Saturday.

Winehouse's family said in a statement that it "has been left bereft by the loss of Amy, a wonderful daughter, sister, niece. She leaves a gaping hole in our lives. We are coming together to remember her and we would appreciate some privacy and space at this terrible time."

"We are trying to come to terms with the death of a dear friend and colleague, the most amazing artist and talent," her management company, Metropolis Music, said. "We will always remember Amy as a vibrant, funny, caring young woman who made everyone around her feel welcome. We have lost a very special person, part of our family."

Winehouse's soulful, throaty vocals brought the British musician stardom in 2007, but her troubled off-stage life -- chronicled in her Top 10 hit "Rehab" -- won her notoriety. Her death came less than two months after her latest release from a rehabilitation program and weeks after she was booed offstage by disappointed fans in Belgrade, Serbia.

Winehouse died at the same age as at least four other music legends. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison each died of drug overdoses when they were 27. Kurt Cobain was 27 when he committed suicide, soon after his release from rehab.

Her song "Rehab," in which she sang "They tried to make me go to rehab, I said no, no, no," helped form the public's view of Winehouse. She told CNN in a 2007 interview, "I don't care enough about what people think of me to conform to anything."

The London-born singer was a tattooed teenage rebel after she was expelled from a prestigious performing arts school. Her first album, "Frank," debuted in 2003, when the singer-songwriter was 19.

International success came with her 2007 album "Back to Black." She dominated the 2008 Grammys, winning five awards that night and delivering, via satellite from London, a strong performance of "Rehab."

Winehouse's volatile marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil took a toll on the singer's career. The couple divorced in 2009 after a stormy two years filled by drug addiction and arrests.

Winehouse's parents went public with their efforts to help their daughter, telling the London Telegraph in 2009 that she was on the road to recovery.

"A gradual recovery, which is good," Winehouse's father told the Telegraph. "With slight backward steps -- not drug backward steps, more drink backward steps if you follow my drift. I think that will be the pattern of recovery."

The organization that awards the Grammys issued a statement Saturday calling Winehouse "a dynamic performer and musician who seamlessly blended rock, jazz, pop, and soul and created a sound all her own."

"Her rich, soulful and unique voice reflected her honest songwriting and earned her a devoted fan following, critical acclaim, and the genuine respect and admiration of her musical peers," the Recording Academy statement said. "She will forever be remembered for her immense talent, and her music will live on for generations to come. Our deepest sympathies go out to her family, friends, and fans during this difficult time."

Some more suicides

Actor ends life in Goregaon
Nitasha Natu, TNN Jul 12, 2011, 01.23am IST

MUMBAI: A 31-year-old woman committed suicide by hanging herself at her Goregaon (W) residence early on Monday.

Vijaya Rawat, the deceased, has also been cast in small roles on television. Police officials said Rawat was depressed and had attempted suicide in the past.

"Rawat stayed in a rented flat on Ram Mandir Road. She was divorced and stayed alone. No suicide note was found," a police officer said.


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Engg prof jumps off college building over 'spinal illness'
Nitasha Natu, TNN Jul 23, 2011, 12.59am IST

MUMBAI: A 42-year-old assistant professor committed suicide on Friday morning by jumping off the seventh floor of an engineering college at Chembur where she taught. Rachana Shah left behind a suicide note where she stated that she suffered from a spinal ailment and pain in the upper back, and that she couldn't bear it any longer.

Shah had been teaching electronics at the Shah and Anchor Kutchhi Engineering College at Panjrapole since the past 12 years. She lived with her husband and 15-year-old daughter at Ghatkopar.

A part of her suicide note was in English and was addressed to the police and the rest of it was in Gujarati, and consisted of instructions for her family members. The note was recovered from her belongings.
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His wife thinks he's a little nuts but his students think he's pretty cool.

Assistant professor of Occupational Therapy Rashid Kashani rappelled down 29 storeys from the roof of the Sutton Place Hotel on Sept. 7.

"I'm actually afraid of heights. Terrified!" said Kashani from the University of Alberta's Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. "But it's for a good cause, one I personally believe in."

The event is called Drop Zone, a fundraiser for Easter Seals, an organization that helps individuals with disabilities and special needs through service, education, outreach and advocacy.

"My former clients received help from Easter Seals through their equipment program and I wanted to show my support this way," Kashani said with a grin. He exceeded the fundraiser's proposed goal of $1500 and raised $1700. His team of four raised over $7000.The money raised helps provide equipment and services to Albertans with disabilities and special needs.

Kashani also wanted the chance to be in his clients' shoes. "My patients use various equipment to deal with their disabilities and live independently. They need to trust the equipment and the professional recommending it. By doing this, I am in the same boat. I need to put trust in the equipment and the experts too."

Easter Seals is still accepting Drop Zone donations through Sept. 30 at thedropzone.ca.

About the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
As the only free standing faculty of rehabilitation in Canada, the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine balances its activities among learning, discovery and citizenship (including clinical practice). A research leader in musculoskeletal health, spinal cord injuries and common spinal disorders (back pain), the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine aims to improve the quality of life of citizens in our community. The three departments, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech Pathology and Audiology (SPA) offer professional entry programs. The Faculty offers thesis-based MSc and PhD programs in Rehabilitation Science, attracting students from a variety of disciplines including OT, PT, SLP, psychology.

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Teen depression

Teen Depression
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
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Teen Depression

Teenage depression isn’t just bad moods and occasional melancholy. Depression is a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Left untreated, teen depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse, self-loathing—even irreversible tragedy such as homicidal violence or suicide.

Fortunately, teenage depression can be treated, and as a concerned parent, teacher, or friend, there are many things you can do to help. You can start by learning the symptoms of depression and expressing concern when you spot warning signs. Talking about the problem and offering support can go a long way toward getting your teenager back on track.
In This Article:

Understanding teen depression
Signs and symptoms
Effects of teen depression
Suicide warning signs in teenagers
Helping a depressed teenager
Risks of teenage antidepressant use
Supporting a teen through treatment
Taking care of the whole family
Related links

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Understanding teen depression

There are as many misconceptions about teen depression as there are about teenagers in general. Yes, the teen years are tough, but most teens balance the requisite angst with good friendships, success in school or outside activities, and the development of a strong sense of self. Occasional bad moods or acting out is to be expected, but depression is something different. Depression can destroy the very essence of a teenager’s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger.

Whether the incidence of teen depression is actually increasing, or we’re just becoming more aware of it, the fact is that depression strikes teenagers far more often than most people think. And although depression is highly treatable, experts say only 20% of depressed teens ever receive help.
Unlike adults, who have the ability to seek assistance on their own, teenagers usually must rely on parents, teachers, or other caregivers to recognize their suffering and get them the treatment they need. So if you have an adolescent in your life, it’s important to learn what teen depression looks like and what to do if you spot the warning signs.

For Teens:

If you’re a teenager struggling with depression or you’d like to learn how to help a depressed friend, see Dealing with Teen Depression: Tips and Tools for Teens.
Signs and symptoms of teen depression

Teenagers face a host of pressures, from the changes of puberty to questions about who they are and where they fit in. The natural transition from child to adult can also bring parental conflict as teens start to assert their independence. With all this drama, it isn’t always easy to differentiate between depression and normal teenage moodiness. Making things even more complicated, teens with depression do not necessarily appear sad, nor do they always withdraw from others. For some depressed teens, symptoms of irritability, aggression, and rage are more prominent.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION IN TEENS

Sadness or hopelessness
Irritability, anger, or hostility
Tearfulness or frequent crying
Withdrawal from friends and family
Loss of interest in activities
Changes in eating and sleeping habits



Restlessness and agitation
Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
Fatigue or lack of energy
Difficulty concentrating
Thoughts of death or suicide

If you’re unsure if an adolescent in your life is depressed or just “being a teenager,” consider how long the symptoms have been present, how severe they are, and how different the teen is acting from his or her usual self. While some “growing pains” are to be expected as teenagers grapple with the challenges of growing up, dramatic, long-lasting changes in personality, mood, or behavior are red flags of a deeper problem.
The difference between teenage and adult depression

Depression in teens can look very different from depression in adults. The following symptoms of depression are more common in teenagers than in their adult counterparts:

Irritable or angry mood – As noted above, irritability, rather than sadness, is often the predominant mood in depressed teens. A depressed teenager may be grumpy, hostile, easily frustrated, or prone to angry outbursts.
Unexplained aches and pains – Depressed teens frequently complain about physical ailments such as headaches or stomachaches. If a thorough physical exam does not reveal a medical cause, these aches and pains may indicate depression.
Extreme sensitivity to criticism – Depressed teens are plagued by feelings of worthlessness, making them extremely vulnerable to criticism, rejection, and failure. This is a particular problem for “over-achievers.”
Withdrawing from some, but not all people – While adults tend to isolate themselves when depressed, teenagers usually keep up at least some friendships. However, teens with depression may socialize less than before, pull away from their parents, or start hanging out with a different crowd.

Effects of teen depression

The negative effects of teenage depression go far beyond a melancholy mood. Many rebellious and unhealthy behaviors or attitudes in teenagers are actually indications of depression. See the table below for some of the ways in which teens “act out” or “act in” in an attempt to cope with their emotional pain:
Untreated Depression Can Lead to…

Problems at school


Depression can cause low energy and concentration difficulties. At school, this may lead to poor attendance, a drop in grades, or frustration with schoolwork in a formerly good student.

Running away


Many depressed teens run away from home or talk about running away. Such attempts are usually a cry for help.

Substance abuse


Teens may use alcohol or drugs in an attempt to “self-medicate” their depression. Unfortunately, substance abuse only makes things worse.

Low self-esteem


Depression can trigger and intensify feelings of ugliness, shame, failure, and unworthiness.

Eating disorders


Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and yo-yo dieting are often signs of unrecognized depression.

Internet addiction


Teens may go online to escape from their problems. But excessive computer use only increases their isolation and makes them more depressed.

Self-injury


Cutting, burning, and other kinds of self-mutilation are almost always associated with depression. To learn more, see Helpguide’s Self-Injury.

Reckless behavior


Depressed teens may engage in dangerous or high-risk behaviors, such as reckless driving, out-of-control drinking, and unsafe sex.

Violence


Some depressed teens (usually boys who are the victims of bullying) become violent. As in the case of the Columbine school massacre, self-hatred and a wish to die can erupt into violence and homicidal rage.

Suicide


Teens who are seriously depressed often think, speak, or make "attention-getting" attempts at suicide. Suicidal thoughts or behaviors should always be taken very seriously.
Suicide warning signs in teenagers

An alarming and increasing number of teenagers attempt and succeed at suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds. For the overwhelming majority of suicidal teens, depression or another psychological disorder plays a primary role. In depressed teens who also abuse alcohol or drugs, the risk of suicide is even greater.

Because of the very real danger of suicide, teenagers who are depressed should be watched closely for any signs of suicidal thoughts or behavior. The warning signs include:

Talking or joking about committing suicide.
Saying things like, “I’d be better off dead,” “I wish I could disappear forever,” or “There’s no way out.”
Speaking positively about death or romanticizing dying (“If I died, people might love me more”).
Writing stories and poems about death, dying, or suicide.
Engaging in reckless behavior or having a lot of accidents resulting in injury.
Giving away prized possessions.
Saying goodbye to friends and family as if for good.
Seeking out weapons, pills, or other ways to kill themselves.

If you suspect that a teenager you know is suicidal, take immediate action! For 24-hour suicide prevention and support, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.

To learn more about suicide risk factors, warning signs, and what to do in a crisis, see Helpguide’s Suicide Prevention: Understanding and Helping a Suicidal Person.
Helping a depressed teenager

If you suspect that a teenager in your life is suffering from depression, take action right away. Depression is very damaging when left untreated, so don’t wait and hope that the symptoms will go away. Even if you’re unsure that depression is the issue, the troublesome behaviors and emotions you’re seeing in your teenager are signs of a problem. Whether or not that problem turns out to be depression, it still needs to be addressed—the sooner the better.
Talk to your teen

The first thing you should do if you suspect depression is to talk to your teen about it. In a loving and non-judgmental way, share your concerns with your teenager. Let him or her know what specific signs of depression you’ve noticed and why they worry you. Then encourage your child to open up about what he or she is going through.
TIPS FOR TALKING TO A DEPRESSED TEEN

Offer support


Let depressed teenagers know that you’re there for them, fully and unconditionally. Hold back from asking a lot of questions (teenagers don’t like to feel patronized or crowded), but make it clear that you’re ready and willing to provide whatever support they need.

Be gentle but persistent


Don’t give up if your adolescent shuts you out at first. Talking about depression can be very tough for teens. Be respectful of your child’s comfort level while still emphasizing your concern and willingness to listen.

Listen without lecturing


Resist any urge to criticize or pass judgment once your teenager begins to talk. The important thing is that your child is communicating. Avoid offering unsolicited advice or ultimatums as well.

Validate feelings


Don’t try to talk teens out of their depression, even if their feelings or concerns appear silly or irrational to you. Simply acknowledge the pain and sadness they are feeling. If you don’t, they will feel like you don’t take their emotions seriously.

If your teen claims nothing is wrong, but has no explanation for what is causing the depressed behavior, you should trust your instincts. Remember that denial is a strong emotion. Furthermore, teenagers may not believe that what they’re experiencing is the result of depression. If you see depression’s warning signs, seek professional help. Neither you nor your teen is qualified to either diagnosis depression or rule it out, so see a doctor or psychologist who can.
Visit your family doctor

Make an immediate appointment for your teen to see the family physician for a depression screening. Be prepared to give your doctor specific information about your teen’s depression symptoms, including how long they’ve been present, how much they’re affecting your child’s daily life, and any patterns you’ve noticed. The doctor should also be told about any close relatives who have ever been diagnosed with depression or another mental health disorder.

As part of the depression screening, the doctor will give your teenager a complete physical exam and take blood samples to check for medical causes of your child’s symptoms. In order to diagnose depression, other possible causes of your teen’s symptoms must first be ruled out. The doctor will check for medical causes of the depression by giving your teenager a complete physical exam and running blood tests. The doctor may also ask your teen about other things that could be causing the symptoms, including heavy alcohol and drug use, a lack of sleep, a poor diet (especially one low in iron), and medications (including birth control pills and diet pills).
Seek out a specialist
Finding help for your teen

Click here to search for a psychiatrist who specializes in children and teens.

Source: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

If there are no health problems that are causing your teenager’s depression, ask your doctor to refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in children and adolescents. Depression in teens can be tricky, particularly when it comes to treatment options such as medication. A mental health professional with advanced training and a strong background treating adolescents is the best bet for your teenager’s best care.

When choosing a specialist, always get your child’s input. Teenagers are dependent on you for making many of their health decisions, so listen to what they’re telling you. No one therapist is a miracle worker and no one treatment works for everyone. If your child feels uncomfortable or is just not ’connecting’ with the psychologist or psychiatrist, ask for a referral to another provider that may be better suited to your teenager.
Explore the treatment options

Expect a discussion with the specialist you’ve chosen about treatment possibilities for your son or daughter. There are a number of treatment options for depression in teenagers, including one-on-one talk therapy, group or family therapy, and medication.

Talk therapy is often a good initial treatment for mild to moderate cases of depression. Over the course of therapy, your teen’s depression may resolve. If it doesn’t, medication may be warranted. However, antidepressants should only be used as part of a broader treatment plan.
Don't rely on medication alone

When medication is used, it should not be the only strategy. There are other services that you may want to investigate for your child. Family support services, educational classes, behavior management techniques, as well as family therapy and other approaches should be considered. If medication is prescribed, it should be monitored and evaluated regularly.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

Unfortunately, some parents feel pushed into choosing antidepressant medication over other treatments that may be cost-prohibitive or time-intensive. However, unless your child is considered to be high risk for suicide (in which case medication and/or constant observation may be necessary), you have time to carefully weigh your options before committing to any one treatment.
Risks of teenage antidepressant use

In severe cases of depression, medication may help ease symptoms. However, antidepressants aren’t always the best treatment option. They come with risks and side effects of their own, including a number of safety concerns specific to children and young adults. It’s important to weigh the benefits against the risks before starting your teen on medication.
Antidepressants and the teenage brain

Antidepressants were designed and tested on adults, so their impact on the youthful, developing brain is not yet completely understood. Some researchers are concerned that the use of drugs such as Prozac in children and teens might interfere with normal brain development. The human brain is developing rapidly in young adults, and exposure to antidepressants may impact that development—particularly the way the brain manages stress and regulates emotions.
Antidepressant suicide warning for teens
Teens on Antidepressants:
Red Flags To Watch Out For

Call a doctor if you notice…

New or more thoughts of suicide
Trying to commit suicide
New or worse depression
New or worse anxiety
Feeling very agitated or restless
Panic attacks
Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
New or worse irritability
Acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
Acting on dangerous impulses
Being extremely hyperactive in actions and talking (hypomania or mania)
Other unusual changes in behavior

Antidepressant medications may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in some teenagers. All antidepressants are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to carry a “black box” warning label about this risk in children, adolescents, and young adults up to the age of 24. The risk of suicide is highest during the first two months of antidepressant treatment.

Certain young adults are at an even greater risk for suicide when taking antidepressants, including teens with bipolar disorder, a family history of bipolar disorder, or a history of previous suicide attempts.

Teenagers on antidepressants should be closely monitored for any sign that the depression is getting worse. Warning signs include new or worsening symptoms of agitation, irritability, or anger. Unusual changes in behavior are also red flags.

According to FDA guidelines, after starting an antidepressant or changing the dose, your teenager should see their doctor:

Once a week for four weeks
Every 2 weeks for the next month
At the end of their 12th week taking the drug
More often if problems or questions arise

For more, see Antidepressants: Understanding Depression Medication
Supporting a teen through depression treatment

As the depressed teenager in your life goes through treatment, the most important thing you can do is to let him or her know that you’re there to listen and offer support. Now more than ever, your teenager needs to know that he or she is valued, accepted, and cared for.

Be understanding. Living with a depressed teenager can be difficult and draining. At times, you may experience exhaustion, rejection, despair, aggravation, or any other number of negative emotions. During this trying time, it’s important to remember that your child is not being difficult on purpose. Your teen is suffering, so do your best to be patient and understanding.
Encourage physical activity. Encourage your teenager to stay active. Exercise can go a long way toward relieving the symptoms of depression, so find ways to incorporate it into your teenager’s day. Something as simple as walking the dog or going on a bike ride can be beneficial.
Encourage social activity. Isolation only makes depression worse, so encourage your teenager to see friends and praise efforts to socialize. Offer to take your teen out with friends or suggest social activities that might be of interest, such as sports, after-school clubs, or an art class.
Stay involved in treatment. Make sure your teenager is following all treatment instructions and going to therapy. It’s especially important that your child takes any prescribed medication as instructed. Track changes in your teen’s condition, and call the doctor if depression symptoms seem to be getting worse.
Learn about depression. Just like you would if your child had a disease you knew very little about, read up on depression so that you can be your own “expert.” The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to help your depressed teen. Encourage your teenager to learn more about depression as well. Reading up on their condition can help depressed teens realize that they’re not alone and give them a better understanding of what they’re going through.

The road to your depressed teenager’s recovery may be bumpy, so be patient. Rejoice in small victories and prepare for the occasional setback. Most importantly, don’t judge yourself or compare your family to others. As long as you’re doing your best to get your teen the necessary help, you’re doing your job.
Taking care of the whole family

As a parent dealing with teen depression, you may find yourself focusing all your energy and attention on your depressed child. Meanwhile, you may be neglecting your own needs and the needs of other family members. While helping your depressed child should be a top priority, it’s important to keep your whole family strong and healthy during this difficult time.

Take care of yourself – In order to help a depressed teen, you need to stay healthy and positive yourself, so don’t ignore your own needs. The stress of the situation can affect your own moods and emotions, so cultivate your well–being by eating right, getting enough sleep, and making time for things you enjoy.
Reach out for support – Get the emotional support you need. Reach out to friends, join a support group, or see a therapist of your own. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, helpless, or angry. The important thing is to talk about how your teen’s depression is affecting you, rather than bottling up your emotions.
Be open with the family – Don’t tiptoe around the issue of teen depression in an attempt to “protect” the other children. Kids know when something is wrong. When left in the dark, their imaginations will often jump to far worse conclusions. Be open about what is going on and invite your children to ask questions and share their feelings.
Remember the siblings – Depression in one child can cause stress or anxiety in other family members, so make sure “healthy” children are not ignored. Siblings may need special individual attention or professional help of their own to handle their feelings about the situation.
Avoid the blame game – It can be easy to blame yourself or another family member for your teen’s depression, but it only adds to an already stressful situation. Furthermore, depression is normally caused by a number of factors, so it’s unlikely—except in the case of abuse or neglect—that any loved one is “responsible”.

Related articles

Dealing with Teen DepressionDealing with Teen Depression
Tips and Tools for Helping Yourself or a Friend

Helping a Depressed PersonHelping a Depressed Person
Taking Care of Yourself While Supporting a Loved One
More Helpguide articles:

Suicide Prevention: Signs of Suicide and How to Help a Suicidal Person
Depression Treatment: Therapy, Medication, and Lifestyle Changes That Can Help
Antidepressant Medications: What You Need to Know About Depression Medications

Related links for teen depression
General information about teen depression

Depression – Breaks down the different types of depression in teenagers, as well as the symptoms and remedies. (TeensHealth)

Depression in Boys – While teen depression is more prevalent in girls, teenage boys have their own special risk factors and warning signs. This article delves deeper into male teen depression.(Psychology Today)

Depression in Girls – With society and hormonal changes wreaking havoc, girls need extra care in the teen years. Learn what parents can do. (Psychology Today)
Teen depression and suicide

About Teen Suicide – Discusses teen suicide statistics, risk factors, warnings signs, and how to get help. Also find coping tips for those who have lost a child to suicide. (TeensHealth)

Youth Depression – Offers a comprehensive list of warning signs and behaviors in suicidal teenagers, as well as advice on how to help. (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education)
Teenage depression and violence

The Storms of Youth: Violence and Depression in Adolescents – Looks into the connection between adolescent depression and violence, including the warning signs of violence in teens. (athealth.com)

Warning Signs of Youth Violence – Learn why some teenagers turn violent, what the warning signs are, and who is at risk. (American Psychological Association)
Treatment for teen depression

Treatment of Children with Mental Illness – Answers to frequently asked questions about the treatment of mental disorders in children, including depression. (National Institute of Mental Health)

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder – Series of articles on when to seek help for your child and where to find it. (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)
For teachers

Suicide: A Teacher’s Experience – A teacher’s personal account of a student’s suicide attempt. Includes suggestions on handling potentially depressed students. (HealthyPlace)

Depression in School: A Student’s Trial – From a formerly depressed teen’s perspective, how teachers can help depressed students. (HealthyPlace)
Antidepressants for teens

Medication Guide: About Using Antidepressants in Children or Teenagers (PDF) – Medication guide from the FDA covers common questions about antidepressants in young adults. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Antidepressant Medications for Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Caregivers – Fact sheet from the federal government on medication for children and teens. (National Institute of Mental Health)

Authors: Melinda Smith, M.A., Suzanne Barston and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. Last updated: June 2011

Teen depression

Teen Depression
A GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
Share

RSS

Teen Depression

Teenage depression isn’t just bad moods and occasional melancholy. Depression is a serious problem that impacts every aspect of a teen’s life. Left untreated, teen depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse, self-loathing—even irreversible tragedy such as homicidal violence or suicide.

Fortunately, teenage depression can be treated, and as a concerned parent, teacher, or friend, there are many things you can do to help. You can start by learning the symptoms of depression and expressing concern when you spot warning signs. Talking about the problem and offering support can go a long way toward getting your teenager back on track.
In This Article:

Understanding teen depression
Signs and symptoms
Effects of teen depression
Suicide warning signs in teenagers
Helping a depressed teenager
Risks of teenage antidepressant use
Supporting a teen through treatment
Taking care of the whole family
Related links

Print this!Print AuthorsAuthors

Normal Text SizeLarger Text SizeLargest Text SizeText Size
Understanding teen depression

There are as many misconceptions about teen depression as there are about teenagers in general. Yes, the teen years are tough, but most teens balance the requisite angst with good friendships, success in school or outside activities, and the development of a strong sense of self. Occasional bad moods or acting out is to be expected, but depression is something different. Depression can destroy the very essence of a teenager’s personality, causing an overwhelming sense of sadness, despair, or anger.

Whether the incidence of teen depression is actually increasing, or we’re just becoming more aware of it, the fact is that depression strikes teenagers far more often than most people think. And although depression is highly treatable, experts say only 20% of depressed teens ever receive help.
Unlike adults, who have the ability to seek assistance on their own, teenagers usually must rely on parents, teachers, or other caregivers to recognize their suffering and get them the treatment they need. So if you have an adolescent in your life, it’s important to learn what teen depression looks like and what to do if you spot the warning signs.

For Teens:

If you’re a teenager struggling with depression or you’d like to learn how to help a depressed friend, see Dealing with Teen Depression: Tips and Tools for Teens.
Signs and symptoms of teen depression

Teenagers face a host of pressures, from the changes of puberty to questions about who they are and where they fit in. The natural transition from child to adult can also bring parental conflict as teens start to assert their independence. With all this drama, it isn’t always easy to differentiate between depression and normal teenage moodiness. Making things even more complicated, teens with depression do not necessarily appear sad, nor do they always withdraw from others. For some depressed teens, symptoms of irritability, aggression, and rage are more prominent.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION IN TEENS

Sadness or hopelessness
Irritability, anger, or hostility
Tearfulness or frequent crying
Withdrawal from friends and family
Loss of interest in activities
Changes in eating and sleeping habits



Restlessness and agitation
Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
Fatigue or lack of energy
Difficulty concentrating
Thoughts of death or suicide

If you’re unsure if an adolescent in your life is depressed or just “being a teenager,” consider how long the symptoms have been present, how severe they are, and how different the teen is acting from his or her usual self. While some “growing pains” are to be expected as teenagers grapple with the challenges of growing up, dramatic, long-lasting changes in personality, mood, or behavior are red flags of a deeper problem.
The difference between teenage and adult depression

Depression in teens can look very different from depression in adults. The following symptoms of depression are more common in teenagers than in their adult counterparts:

Irritable or angry mood – As noted above, irritability, rather than sadness, is often the predominant mood in depressed teens. A depressed teenager may be grumpy, hostile, easily frustrated, or prone to angry outbursts.
Unexplained aches and pains – Depressed teens frequently complain about physical ailments such as headaches or stomachaches. If a thorough physical exam does not reveal a medical cause, these aches and pains may indicate depression.
Extreme sensitivity to criticism – Depressed teens are plagued by feelings of worthlessness, making them extremely vulnerable to criticism, rejection, and failure. This is a particular problem for “over-achievers.”
Withdrawing from some, but not all people – While adults tend to isolate themselves when depressed, teenagers usually keep up at least some friendships. However, teens with depression may socialize less than before, pull away from their parents, or start hanging out with a different crowd.

Effects of teen depression

The negative effects of teenage depression go far beyond a melancholy mood. Many rebellious and unhealthy behaviors or attitudes in teenagers are actually indications of depression. See the table below for some of the ways in which teens “act out” or “act in” in an attempt to cope with their emotional pain:
Untreated Depression Can Lead to…

Problems at school


Depression can cause low energy and concentration difficulties. At school, this may lead to poor attendance, a drop in grades, or frustration with schoolwork in a formerly good student.

Running away


Many depressed teens run away from home or talk about running away. Such attempts are usually a cry for help.

Substance abuse


Teens may use alcohol or drugs in an attempt to “self-medicate” their depression. Unfortunately, substance abuse only makes things worse.

Low self-esteem


Depression can trigger and intensify feelings of ugliness, shame, failure, and unworthiness.

Eating disorders


Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and yo-yo dieting are often signs of unrecognized depression.

Internet addiction


Teens may go online to escape from their problems. But excessive computer use only increases their isolation and makes them more depressed.

Self-injury


Cutting, burning, and other kinds of self-mutilation are almost always associated with depression. To learn more, see Helpguide’s Self-Injury.

Reckless behavior


Depressed teens may engage in dangerous or high-risk behaviors, such as reckless driving, out-of-control drinking, and unsafe sex.

Violence


Some depressed teens (usually boys who are the victims of bullying) become violent. As in the case of the Columbine school massacre, self-hatred and a wish to die can erupt into violence and homicidal rage.

Suicide


Teens who are seriously depressed often think, speak, or make "attention-getting" attempts at suicide. Suicidal thoughts or behaviors should always be taken very seriously.
Suicide warning signs in teenagers

An alarming and increasing number of teenagers attempt and succeed at suicide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year-olds. For the overwhelming majority of suicidal teens, depression or another psychological disorder plays a primary role. In depressed teens who also abuse alcohol or drugs, the risk of suicide is even greater.

Because of the very real danger of suicide, teenagers who are depressed should be watched closely for any signs of suicidal thoughts or behavior. The warning signs include:

Talking or joking about committing suicide.
Saying things like, “I’d be better off dead,” “I wish I could disappear forever,” or “There’s no way out.”
Speaking positively about death or romanticizing dying (“If I died, people might love me more”).
Writing stories and poems about death, dying, or suicide.
Engaging in reckless behavior or having a lot of accidents resulting in injury.
Giving away prized possessions.
Saying goodbye to friends and family as if for good.
Seeking out weapons, pills, or other ways to kill themselves.

If you suspect that a teenager you know is suicidal, take immediate action! For 24-hour suicide prevention and support, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.

To learn more about suicide risk factors, warning signs, and what to do in a crisis, see Helpguide’s Suicide Prevention: Understanding and Helping a Suicidal Person.
Helping a depressed teenager

If you suspect that a teenager in your life is suffering from depression, take action right away. Depression is very damaging when left untreated, so don’t wait and hope that the symptoms will go away. Even if you’re unsure that depression is the issue, the troublesome behaviors and emotions you’re seeing in your teenager are signs of a problem. Whether or not that problem turns out to be depression, it still needs to be addressed—the sooner the better.
Talk to your teen

The first thing you should do if you suspect depression is to talk to your teen about it. In a loving and non-judgmental way, share your concerns with your teenager. Let him or her know what specific signs of depression you’ve noticed and why they worry you. Then encourage your child to open up about what he or she is going through.
TIPS FOR TALKING TO A DEPRESSED TEEN

Offer support


Let depressed teenagers know that you’re there for them, fully and unconditionally. Hold back from asking a lot of questions (teenagers don’t like to feel patronized or crowded), but make it clear that you’re ready and willing to provide whatever support they need.

Be gentle but persistent


Don’t give up if your adolescent shuts you out at first. Talking about depression can be very tough for teens. Be respectful of your child’s comfort level while still emphasizing your concern and willingness to listen.

Listen without lecturing


Resist any urge to criticize or pass judgment once your teenager begins to talk. The important thing is that your child is communicating. Avoid offering unsolicited advice or ultimatums as well.

Validate feelings


Don’t try to talk teens out of their depression, even if their feelings or concerns appear silly or irrational to you. Simply acknowledge the pain and sadness they are feeling. If you don’t, they will feel like you don’t take their emotions seriously.

If your teen claims nothing is wrong, but has no explanation for what is causing the depressed behavior, you should trust your instincts. Remember that denial is a strong emotion. Furthermore, teenagers may not believe that what they’re experiencing is the result of depression. If you see depression’s warning signs, seek professional help. Neither you nor your teen is qualified to either diagnosis depression or rule it out, so see a doctor or psychologist who can.
Visit your family doctor

Make an immediate appointment for your teen to see the family physician for a depression screening. Be prepared to give your doctor specific information about your teen’s depression symptoms, including how long they’ve been present, how much they’re affecting your child’s daily life, and any patterns you’ve noticed. The doctor should also be told about any close relatives who have ever been diagnosed with depression or another mental health disorder.

As part of the depression screening, the doctor will give your teenager a complete physical exam and take blood samples to check for medical causes of your child’s symptoms. In order to diagnose depression, other possible causes of your teen’s symptoms must first be ruled out. The doctor will check for medical causes of the depression by giving your teenager a complete physical exam and running blood tests. The doctor may also ask your teen about other things that could be causing the symptoms, including heavy alcohol and drug use, a lack of sleep, a poor diet (especially one low in iron), and medications (including birth control pills and diet pills).
Seek out a specialist
Finding help for your teen

Click here to search for a psychiatrist who specializes in children and teens.

Source: American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

If there are no health problems that are causing your teenager’s depression, ask your doctor to refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in children and adolescents. Depression in teens can be tricky, particularly when it comes to treatment options such as medication. A mental health professional with advanced training and a strong background treating adolescents is the best bet for your teenager’s best care.

When choosing a specialist, always get your child’s input. Teenagers are dependent on you for making many of their health decisions, so listen to what they’re telling you. No one therapist is a miracle worker and no one treatment works for everyone. If your child feels uncomfortable or is just not ’connecting’ with the psychologist or psychiatrist, ask for a referral to another provider that may be better suited to your teenager.
Explore the treatment options

Expect a discussion with the specialist you’ve chosen about treatment possibilities for your son or daughter. There are a number of treatment options for depression in teenagers, including one-on-one talk therapy, group or family therapy, and medication.

Talk therapy is often a good initial treatment for mild to moderate cases of depression. Over the course of therapy, your teen’s depression may resolve. If it doesn’t, medication may be warranted. However, antidepressants should only be used as part of a broader treatment plan.
Don't rely on medication alone

When medication is used, it should not be the only strategy. There are other services that you may want to investigate for your child. Family support services, educational classes, behavior management techniques, as well as family therapy and other approaches should be considered. If medication is prescribed, it should be monitored and evaluated regularly.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

Unfortunately, some parents feel pushed into choosing antidepressant medication over other treatments that may be cost-prohibitive or time-intensive. However, unless your child is considered to be high risk for suicide (in which case medication and/or constant observation may be necessary), you have time to carefully weigh your options before committing to any one treatment.
Risks of teenage antidepressant use

In severe cases of depression, medication may help ease symptoms. However, antidepressants aren’t always the best treatment option. They come with risks and side effects of their own, including a number of safety concerns specific to children and young adults. It’s important to weigh the benefits against the risks before starting your teen on medication.
Antidepressants and the teenage brain

Antidepressants were designed and tested on adults, so their impact on the youthful, developing brain is not yet completely understood. Some researchers are concerned that the use of drugs such as Prozac in children and teens might interfere with normal brain development. The human brain is developing rapidly in young adults, and exposure to antidepressants may impact that development—particularly the way the brain manages stress and regulates emotions.
Antidepressant suicide warning for teens
Teens on Antidepressants:
Red Flags To Watch Out For

Call a doctor if you notice…

New or more thoughts of suicide
Trying to commit suicide
New or worse depression
New or worse anxiety
Feeling very agitated or restless
Panic attacks
Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
New or worse irritability
Acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
Acting on dangerous impulses
Being extremely hyperactive in actions and talking (hypomania or mania)
Other unusual changes in behavior

Antidepressant medications may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in some teenagers. All antidepressants are required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to carry a “black box” warning label about this risk in children, adolescents, and young adults up to the age of 24. The risk of suicide is highest during the first two months of antidepressant treatment.

Certain young adults are at an even greater risk for suicide when taking antidepressants, including teens with bipolar disorder, a family history of bipolar disorder, or a history of previous suicide attempts.

Teenagers on antidepressants should be closely monitored for any sign that the depression is getting worse. Warning signs include new or worsening symptoms of agitation, irritability, or anger. Unusual changes in behavior are also red flags.

According to FDA guidelines, after starting an antidepressant or changing the dose, your teenager should see their doctor:

Once a week for four weeks
Every 2 weeks for the next month
At the end of their 12th week taking the drug
More often if problems or questions arise

For more, see Antidepressants: Understanding Depression Medication
Supporting a teen through depression treatment

As the depressed teenager in your life goes through treatment, the most important thing you can do is to let him or her know that you’re there to listen and offer support. Now more than ever, your teenager needs to know that he or she is valued, accepted, and cared for.

Be understanding. Living with a depressed teenager can be difficult and draining. At times, you may experience exhaustion, rejection, despair, aggravation, or any other number of negative emotions. During this trying time, it’s important to remember that your child is not being difficult on purpose. Your teen is suffering, so do your best to be patient and understanding.
Encourage physical activity. Encourage your teenager to stay active. Exercise can go a long way toward relieving the symptoms of depression, so find ways to incorporate it into your teenager’s day. Something as simple as walking the dog or going on a bike ride can be beneficial.
Encourage social activity. Isolation only makes depression worse, so encourage your teenager to see friends and praise efforts to socialize. Offer to take your teen out with friends or suggest social activities that might be of interest, such as sports, after-school clubs, or an art class.
Stay involved in treatment. Make sure your teenager is following all treatment instructions and going to therapy. It’s especially important that your child takes any prescribed medication as instructed. Track changes in your teen’s condition, and call the doctor if depression symptoms seem to be getting worse.
Learn about depression. Just like you would if your child had a disease you knew very little about, read up on depression so that you can be your own “expert.” The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to help your depressed teen. Encourage your teenager to learn more about depression as well. Reading up on their condition can help depressed teens realize that they’re not alone and give them a better understanding of what they’re going through.

The road to your depressed teenager’s recovery may be bumpy, so be patient. Rejoice in small victories and prepare for the occasional setback. Most importantly, don’t judge yourself or compare your family to others. As long as you’re doing your best to get your teen the necessary help, you’re doing your job.
Taking care of the whole family

As a parent dealing with teen depression, you may find yourself focusing all your energy and attention on your depressed child. Meanwhile, you may be neglecting your own needs and the needs of other family members. While helping your depressed child should be a top priority, it’s important to keep your whole family strong and healthy during this difficult time.

Take care of yourself – In order to help a depressed teen, you need to stay healthy and positive yourself, so don’t ignore your own needs. The stress of the situation can affect your own moods and emotions, so cultivate your well–being by eating right, getting enough sleep, and making time for things you enjoy.
Reach out for support – Get the emotional support you need. Reach out to friends, join a support group, or see a therapist of your own. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, helpless, or angry. The important thing is to talk about how your teen’s depression is affecting you, rather than bottling up your emotions.
Be open with the family – Don’t tiptoe around the issue of teen depression in an attempt to “protect” the other children. Kids know when something is wrong. When left in the dark, their imaginations will often jump to far worse conclusions. Be open about what is going on and invite your children to ask questions and share their feelings.
Remember the siblings – Depression in one child can cause stress or anxiety in other family members, so make sure “healthy” children are not ignored. Siblings may need special individual attention or professional help of their own to handle their feelings about the situation.
Avoid the blame game – It can be easy to blame yourself or another family member for your teen’s depression, but it only adds to an already stressful situation. Furthermore, depression is normally caused by a number of factors, so it’s unlikely—except in the case of abuse or neglect—that any loved one is “responsible”.

Related articles

Dealing with Teen DepressionDealing with Teen Depression
Tips and Tools for Helping Yourself or a Friend

Helping a Depressed PersonHelping a Depressed Person
Taking Care of Yourself While Supporting a Loved One
More Helpguide articles:

Suicide Prevention: Signs of Suicide and How to Help a Suicidal Person
Depression Treatment: Therapy, Medication, and Lifestyle Changes That Can Help
Antidepressant Medications: What You Need to Know About Depression Medications

Related links for teen depression
General information about teen depression

Depression – Breaks down the different types of depression in teenagers, as well as the symptoms and remedies. (TeensHealth)

Depression in Boys – While teen depression is more prevalent in girls, teenage boys have their own special risk factors and warning signs. This article delves deeper into male teen depression.(Psychology Today)

Depression in Girls – With society and hormonal changes wreaking havoc, girls need extra care in the teen years. Learn what parents can do. (Psychology Today)
Teen depression and suicide

About Teen Suicide – Discusses teen suicide statistics, risk factors, warnings signs, and how to get help. Also find coping tips for those who have lost a child to suicide. (TeensHealth)

Youth Depression – Offers a comprehensive list of warning signs and behaviors in suicidal teenagers, as well as advice on how to help. (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education)
Teenage depression and violence

The Storms of Youth: Violence and Depression in Adolescents – Looks into the connection between adolescent depression and violence, including the warning signs of violence in teens. (athealth.com)

Warning Signs of Youth Violence – Learn why some teenagers turn violent, what the warning signs are, and who is at risk. (American Psychological Association)
Treatment for teen depression

Treatment of Children with Mental Illness – Answers to frequently asked questions about the treatment of mental disorders in children, including depression. (National Institute of Mental Health)

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder – Series of articles on when to seek help for your child and where to find it. (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)
For teachers

Suicide: A Teacher’s Experience – A teacher’s personal account of a student’s suicide attempt. Includes suggestions on handling potentially depressed students. (HealthyPlace)

Depression in School: A Student’s Trial – From a formerly depressed teen’s perspective, how teachers can help depressed students. (HealthyPlace)
Antidepressants for teens

Medication Guide: About Using Antidepressants in Children or Teenagers (PDF) – Medication guide from the FDA covers common questions about antidepressants in young adults. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Antidepressant Medications for Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Caregivers – Fact sheet from the federal government on medication for children and teens. (National Institute of Mental Health)

Authors: Melinda Smith, M.A., Suzanne Barston and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. Last updated: June 2011

stressed, depressed, Doctor kills herself ( DNA)

Stressed, depressed doctor kills herself in Mumbai – Mumbai – DNA

An initial-year resident physician of Sion hospital committed suicide at her Dharavi residence by inserting herself having a medicine overdose.

On Tuesday morning, Swyambo Nadar found his daughter Dr Sukanya, 24, within an unconscious condition. He rushed her to Sion hospital, but she was declared dying before admission. Law enforcement found syringes within the room, but no suicide note.

&ldquoAccording to her parents and co-workers she was unhappy together with her PG-CET results. She thought about being a gynaecologist but needed to occupy anaesthesiology. But, we're looking into other angles too,&rdquo stated inspector Abdulhaq Desai from the Dharavi police station.

Law enforcement will also be waiting for the publish-mortem results. &ldquoWe have sent her viscera towards the Forensic Science Laboratory. Only following the report arrives, we'll understand what medicine she overdosed on and also the quantity,&rdquo stated a physician, on condition of anonymity.

After finishing her MBBS from Qq hospital, Dr Sukanya obtained 422 within the PG-CET exams and guaranteed a chair at BJ Medical College at Pune. She labored there for 2 several weeks after which experienced Sion hospital.

&ldquoShe was depressed. She needed to be satisfied with anaesthesiology and she or he couldn&rsquot leave the chair as her family couldn't pay the bond amount. She was stressed working lengthy hrs, which most resident doctors are worried about,&rdquo stated among Sukanya&rsquos friend in the hospital.

Swyambo still cannot believe his girl might take this type of drastic step.

&ldquoWe lost my way through eventually. Though i was poor, I usually wanted a physician as well as an engineer during my family. My dream came true when Sukanya grew to become a physician and my boy Bharat an engineer.&rdquo

He blamed the administration for dealing with doctors badly. &ldquoBJ Medical College is yet to pay for her salary for 2 several weeks. And in the day she became a member of Sion hospital, she never were built with a peaceful day. They provided her work 24x7. She'd to depart morning hours and go back home the following day evening,&rdquo alleged Swyambo, a category IV railway worker.

&ldquoShe came back home at 7pm on Monday. She was quiet however it wasn&rsquot unusual. After I visited mattress, she had been asleep,&rdquo stated Bharat.

Because the family anxiously waited outdoors the Sion hospital to assert her body, Swyambo stopped working. &ldquoI thought I'd see her walking from the hospital in her own physician&rsquos coat. I i never thought I will need to take her body out of this hospital.&rdquo

Government bodies at Sion hospital declined to discuss her dying. &ldquoShe committed suicide outdoors a healthcare facility. We now have nothing related to it. She'd became a member of us a couple of days ago,&rdquo stated Dr Sandhya Kamat, dean of Sion hospital.

37 ways to beat stress

Calm down! You can’t be that stressed. It’s not healthy! If you’re having trouble letting go of that little ball of stress, here are 37, yes Thirty Seven, things you can try from Reader’s Digest. You’re bound to find something that works. After all, who needs stress?

1. Embrace the number one truth about stress: Only you create it. Embracing the fact that stress is your reaction to external stimuli — and not the stimuli themselves — is half the battle toward managing it.

5. Use the otherwise stressful time of waiting in line as a chance to relax. As you wait, think about things in life for which you are grateful, meditate on your breath, talk to one of the other customers, or look at a magazine.

12. Don’t take the bait. Happy, low-stress people choose not to get angry, even when the opportunity is dangled right in front of them.

32. Carry a small notebook with you everywhere. This is your “worry” journal. When you feel stressed, whip it out and scribble down everything on your mind at that minute. Close the journal. Close your eyes. Take 10 deep breaths. Now open the journal and read what you’ve written. You’ll find your worries are not nearly as stressful as you thought now that you’ve gotten them out of your head and onto the page.

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What to Do If Your Child Is Stressed
June 15 by ErinKurt | 2 Comments and 14 Reactions | Lifestyle | Tags: coping with stress, stress, stress and children
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Does your child often get sick, or do they constantly whine and cry? Do they bite their nails, act out or often throw tantrums? Then your child may be stressed. Here is a simple guide on how to handle this and change things around for the better.

The first step is to stay calm. If you become frazzled, your child’s stress level will only increase. You know the scenario – child falls and doesn’t flinch…until he hears his mother’s gasp.

The second step is to try and identify the reason behind your child’s stress. This way you will be able to develop a specific plan to reduce or eliminate it.

Here are the most common reasons children are stressed. Remember, even small babies and children can be stressed.

Overload: too many activities with no time to relax. (over-scheduled). This can refer to a baby or toddler registered in too many classes all the way to a school-aged child who has too many after-school activities.

Real-World Events: scary nightly news or exposure to world events

Trauma: divorce, accident, death in family

Peer Problems: peer pressure, bullying, rejection

Appearance: Concern with clothes, weight, appearance, fitting in

School: Grades, homework, over emphasis on performance by parent or teacher

Unrealistic Expectations: too pressured, standards too high in relation to ability

Home Problems: divorce, illness, a move, financial strain, stressed parents, sibling rivalry

After having identified the potential cause or causes of your child’s stress, move onto step three, which is to come up with a plan as to how you can reduce or eliminate the stress. Here are some things to consider working on:

1. Set a good bedtime routine.

Heavy workloads and over-scheduling can deeply affect a child’s sleep patterns. Without a good night’s sleep of at least 9-11 hours a night, stress can build. Sleep experts suggest turning off all electric items 30 mins to 1 hour before bed.

2. Turn off, eliminate, or ask for help to reduce potential stressors.

Keep the news and your adult conversations out of your child’s environment as much as possible. Hearing you discuss politics, the economic crisis or the recent death toll from a natural disaster can really stress some children. Also, ask yourself, “Is there too much yelling in our home?” Another solution to different types of problems could be to hire a tutor to help your child with homework.

3. Cut out one or more activities.

Evaluate your child’s daily schedule of school, home and extracurricular activities. How much free time does your child have left?

4. Create family routines and rituals.

Routines and rituals help reduce stress because it boosts predictability for kids. Not only will family meals, bedtime rituals, nighttime stories, hot baths, hugs and back rubs reduce stress, they will create lasting family memories.

5. Monitor TV viewing.

Kids say one big stressor to them is watching the news without an adult being there to explain late-breaking news events. We ALL could stand to watch less news as it does little to help us – limit TV or at the least, be there to help explain events that your child may see.

6. Teach your children to repeat the phrase, “I can handle this” when they begin feeling stressed, as well as to take 5 slow deep breaths when they feel overwhelmed.

Finally, the most helpful thing you as a parent can do to reduce the amount of stress your child has is to learn and practice ways of reducing your own stress. After all, less stressed parents = less stressed kids – that’s a fact.

One of the best things any parent can do for their kids once they reach about 5 or 6 years of age is to enroll them into martial arts classes for children. This is regardless of whether they are girls or boys. Martial arts are one of the best activities for kids because of the stress management, discipline and fitness. I've seen enough kids go through martial arts with so many benefits over the 40 so years I've been involved in the activity that it's now not surprising at all to me that kids now make up the majority of martial arts students. If martial arts works as a de-stresser for adults, it works just as well with additional benefits for kids.

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[...] to turn off mommy mode. All parents need a break, especially new ones that are stressed. You aren’t going ...

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Defuse the stress bomb
KEVIN LOBO, Mumbai Mirror Jul 22, 2011, 12.00am IST
Tags:

stress|
depression

Getting inundated with information about the terror attacks could have affected you. We get experts to help you spot symptoms of having experienced terror, and how to rectify it

Even if you weren't physically affected by the terror attacks yesterday, just living in Mumbai, watching the gruesome images on TV or being scared for the wellbeing of your loved ones could have affected you psychologically. Stress can manifest itself both significantly and in a subtle manner. Life coaches Aprajita Singh and Malti Bhojwani share tips on how to first identify and then diffuse your stress.
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Physical patterns

Spot: While worrying about people you care is legitimate, don't visualize yourself in horrific situations. "The first place you will feel fear is in your stomach. The line between what you are imagining and where you really are starts blurring. Some people may start pacing around and breathe rapidly. Others sit with a hunch, constricting their chest, which causes them to take shallow breaths," says Singh.

Treat: You need to sit up straight, expand your chest and breathe deeply. Once you sense you are getting hassled, take a step back and look at everything you are worried about intelligently. "Stand on a tile in your house and feel everything negative you are going through. Then step on to another tile and think back to a time when you were very confident or felt like you achieved something remarkable. You need to see what you saw (the situation), hear what you heard (maybe applause) and feel what you felt. With these positive feelings, step back into tile one. Now assess your current situation and how you want to move forward," advises Singh.

Mood changes

Spot: Human beings are equipped to deal with physical changes, but we are quite unaware when it comes to matters of the mind. Most people will not know why they are feeling a sense of helplessness or anger towards nothing in particular after a terrorist attack. Some might feel inconsequential and small in this big universe. Bhojwani says, "If you notice yourself snapping at the wrong people or lashing out and looking to blame everyone, you need to check your mood. How are you affecting your loved ones."