Panic Attacks: 2013

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Vitamins and Minerals to Keep You Calm

Vitamins and minerals that help to keep you calm

In my article on this website - Let Food Be Your Medicine, I pointed out some of the major food categories which can cause even the calmest among us to become stressed and agitated.

Research supports the fact that foods containing certain vitamins and minerals help to keep you calm. If you have anxiety, panic attacks or are feeling stressed, I have listed the foods which contain calming vitamins and minerals.

VITAMIN B - THE GREAT ANTI-STRESSOR

Among the vitamins and minerals that help you de-stress, vitamin B group vitamins are top of the list. In pharmacies/Drugstores and health food stores, the B group vitamins are usually marketed as anti-stress. In the main, that claim is truthful. With a good diet, I doubt very much that you need to spend an ever-increasing amount of money on vitamin supplements.

Among the B group, vitamin B5 is a particular hero. You will find that in peanuts, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and some meats. Beans, lentils, pulses, bran, wheatgerm, and all green leafy vegetables will supply all the vitamin B you need. If you do have panic attacks, or you have more generalised anxiety, it is vital that you keep track of your diet to ensure it gives you plenty of Vitamin B.

The vitamin A found particularly in raw carrots, eggs, butter, leafy green vegetables is another well researched counter to stress.

Vitamin C - is found in kiwi fruit, blackcurrants, blueberries as well as the traditional vitamin C fruits of oranges and pineapples. If, like me, you love Brussels sprouts, you are lucky because not only are they a source of Vitamin C but also of antioxidants and fibre. Goji Juice is also a rich source of many vitamins and particularly C.

The vitamin E found in eggs, dairy products and raw fruit is calming as well as being a powerful antioxidant. You know how great Vitamin E creams are for healing damaged skin, it is also essential for your general equilibrium.

LET'S MINE FOR SOME MINERALS!

Magnesium, the mighty mineral. Found in wholegrain flour and cereal seeds, Magnesium helps fight stress. It is absolutely vital for any of you who have to endure muscle cramps, or restless legs syndrome. You cannot be lacking in Magnesium and still be calm and at peace in your body. Your eyes will twitch, your muscles will cramp and/or twitch and you will feel generally edgy. If you already have episodes of panic and anxiety, a lack of Magnesium will just make that worse. Perhaps at your next annual check-up, if your doctor does not automatically suggest it, you could ask for a blood reading to check your levels of essential vitamins and mineral.

I advise that for two reasons. First, if your levels are below par, you will need to make dietary changes and perhaps take supplements for a short time. Secondly, if your levels are fine, you will not be wasting your money to create very expensive urine. Sorry, but though I think a good all-round anti-oxidant supplement might be needed for people over thirty, any vitamin and mineral supplements our bodies do not need, are passed as waste. There is now a growing body of evidence that over-dosing on some vitamins can place a strain on your kidneys. So please always talk through these matters with your health professional and base your decisions on sustainable evidence like blood test results.

HELPFUL HERBS

There is now enough epidemiological evidence to support the fact that the following substances have a calmative effect on the body. As well as that, they are known to be non-addictive.

St Johns Wort

This is often prescribed as an anti-depressant. The warning here is that if you have been diagnosed with depression, and you're taking a prescription medication for that condition, please don't touch St Johns Wort.

I take St Johns Wort when I am working on projects where I have to spend hours, and hours (and hours) at a computer screen, my eyes sometimes develop a very annoying little twitch. Nothing seems to help that as much as St Johns Wort. Ten days at the most, and that annoying little tick that no one else can see, is gone. I do not go on taking St Johns Wort because if I have no need for it, I respect it enough to leave it alone.

Valerian

Valerian was used extensively in the 19th century as a sleeping potion. Although there are some people who are slightly allergic to it, it is an excellent help for those of you who have to put up with insomnia.

L-Theanine:

In addition to relaxation, research suggests that L-theanine may have other positive benefits with no known downside. Those benefits include, improving learning performance, heightening mental acuity, and promoting concentration.

L-theanine takes effect within 30 minutes after consumption. It is considered to be safe based on its historical use as a component of tea. It is estimated that a heavy tea drinker (6-8 cups daily) will consume between 200 to 400 mg of L-theanine daily.

Other herbs known to aid in our response to life in the 21st century - are Passion Flower, Ginkgo Biloba, Schizandra, Chamomile Extract, Jujube Seed and Inositol.

Talk to your healthcare professional about any or all of these natural remedies. And please remember, just because they are natural, does not mean that you do not have to be careful about dosage - particularly if you are on any other medication, or if you have an ongoing medical condition. As always, to your continued success and happiness.

Phil Tsang

Cutting The Costs Of A Studio Beat Maker

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Learning Piano Chords For Songs

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Where To Find Cheap Wood Blinds

You could be thinking that inexpensive blinds would not be the greatest choice for the well decorated house, but you will be surprised about what you might find these days. It's true that genuine wood blinds could be a little expensive, but there are exce... Read >

Semi Inground Pools With Decks

Having a swimming pool is very useful in summer season. People of every age group love to swim and enjoy being beside the pool on a blissful day. When the sun is scorching, there's no better method to cool-down than through a pleasant long dip in the gard... Read >

Touchscreen All-In-One Computers

All-in-one desktop computers are one of the coolest things on the market today. They are extremely slim, glossy and amazingly stylish. Although when it comes to market presence, they aren’t that popular. You may be surprised to hear that not many people e... Read >

CCTV Digital Video Recorder DVR

Often when people purchase security camera systems, they pay more attention to the camera, but the DVR unit should also be an important consideration. For the security camera you should ensure that it has night vision capability and is of high quality. Wh... Read >

Newtonian Reflector Telescope Kit

Astronomy is a wonderful interest to get yourself into and there's no better way to get involved than by buying yourself a telescope. You may have wanted to purchase a telescope for a while but have never really known what to choose and which one is right... Read >

Plastic Venetian Blinds VS Curtains

Any time you're fixing up your property there are a lot of aspects to consider with regards to styling, cost and practicality. One of the most troublesome matters to decide is whether or not to choose blinds or curtains. Naturally, you would like everythi... Read >

The Attraction Of Semi-Inground Pools

Putting together a semi-inground pool is great during the summer time. Everybody of all ages loves to swim and also unwind in the swimming. When it's very hot and the sun is scorching, there's no better way to cool down if you take a nice long dip in the ... Read >

The Future Of All In One Desktops

All in one desktop computers are extremely sleek, glossy and simply eye-catching. But still, in relation to market presence, they're almost unheard of. In fact, should you try to ask ten women and men precisely what all-in-one personal computers really ar... Read >

Windows XP Ati2dvag blue Screen Fix

Many of the PC errors that people encounter are avoidable with a little more care and attention. This means running the latest updates, using security applications and regularly maintaining your computer and a lot more. Your computer can communicate with ... Read >

Ati2dvag blue Screen Shutdown

You can avoid a ton of PC problems just by taking more care and thought when using your PC. This means running the latest updates, using security applications and regularly maintaining your computer and a lot more. Windows OS is great in that it supports ... Read >

panic attacks: Fear Of Sleep">Sleep panic attacks: Fear Of Sleep

Sleep is a fairly complex process which is made up of two types of sleep, REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and non-REM sleep. Dreams often occur with REM sleep but the real importance of sleep occurs in the later phases of non-REM sleep. Waking up from a ni... Read >

NTFS Sys Blue Screen Stop Messages

Picture the usual day - you're home working on your PC and then out of nowhere up pops an ntfs.sys blue screen. Naturally, a wave of dread flows through you having never seen this message before. It looks completely alien compared to other errors, almost ... Read >

Fix Blue Screen Error Codes Easily

For the most part receiving a random error message on your PC once in a while is not the worse thing that can happen. Quite often, it's just your PC trying to tell you it needs time to think and it might freeze on you for a second or two or throw up the n... Read >

Panic Attack During Pregnancy What to Do

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Panic Attack During Pregnancy What to Do

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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Treating Depression and Anxiety the Natural Way

Prescription Anti-Depressants, Tranquillizers and Sleeping Tablets are regularly prescribed by doctors to treat anything from bereavement to postnatal depression. While there are many responsible and caring doctors out there, there are also many who over prescribe.

This may sometimes be due to lack of time, lack of adequate training in emotional problems and mood disorders or sometimes just pure indifference towards the patient's problems! Sad, but unfortunately true!

In my opinion, the above drugs should only be used as a very last resort to treat depression, anxiety, or insomnia which is severe and chronic, i.e. when the person's day to day functioning is badly affected and where the problem is not responsive to any other forms of treatment.

Many times, however, prescription drugs are the first line of treatment and this often becomes an obstacle in the patient's road to health and empowerment. In the extreme, it can lead to addiction and more problems than the patient started out with.

As for prescription sleeping tablets, the majority are addictive if used for longer than two weeks. After a while, more and stronger medication is needed, as the body gets "used" to the drug and "forgets" how to go to sleep by itself.

This sets up a cycle of insomnia and dependence which is very difficult to break - and which would have been entirely avoidable if the health practitioner had spent some time listening to the patient and helping him or her to overcome problems, rather than resorting to prescription drugs.

The good news is that there are usually many healthier alternatives which really work well. They are not always the "quick fix', but most are a more permanent and certainly healthier alternative, leaving YOU in control!

Here are a few:

Exercise

I know, I know - you've heard this before and it IS hard to start! But if every client followed this advice, I would go out of business! Regular exercise helps you to feel healthier, increases the production of natural "feel good" chemicals in the body, boosts self-esteem and significantly reduces the symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety.

It also helps those struggling to lose weight or fight addictions. The keyword is "regular"! At least half an hour of brisk exercise three times a week. Daily is better if you are trying to beat depression.

Walk, swim, jog, dance, do aerobics, whatever - so long as it results in a bit of sweat and an increased heart rate. Believe it or not - if you persevere, you will begin to enjoy it!

Social Support

When you are depressed, you usually isolate yourself and avoid company. Mixing with people is not always what you feel like doing, but loneliness is one of the major causes of depression.

Get out there and join the world! You may hate it at first, but do it anyway! It will ultimately help to uplift your spirits and you will not feel so alone. If you don't have a social circle, join one!

Volunteer organizations, mothers' groups, churches, sports clubs, hobbies and crafts are all good ideas. Be creative! Try out different alternatives until you find something that you like. Don't give up!

See the Discussion Forum Notice Boards for free support groups and topics of Inspiration. Join an online support group or start one of your own. Go to www.feelgoodcounseling.com/FeelGoodCommunity.htm

Talk About It

This is the most effective way of relieving depression and anxiety. Share your problems and "externalize" them, rather than bottling them up. You will be amazed at how relieved you feel and how you are able to begin to get things into perspective.

Speak to friends, family or to a professional person like a licensed counselor. Writing about your feelings is also therapeutic, so keep a journal, write a book or consult a professional online at Native Remedies

Do Nice Things For Yourself

Nurture and spoil yourself. You deserve it too! So have a bubble bath, buy that special something you've been wanting, play your favorite music and SING, have an aromatherapy massage or relax and soak in your bathtub after adding a few drops of soothing lavender oil to the water. - and do it because YOU ARE SPECIAL!

Learn how to say 'No' to others when it is appropriate and 'Yes' to yourself when you need it. If you tell yourself "I don't have enough time to do that for myself', ask whether you would make the time if it was someone else's need.

You will probably find that, while you have the time to see to the needs of others, you have 'no time' for yourself! Turn this around and see to your needs too. They are just as important! Don't be a martyr and deny yourself and then resent other people for not caring about you!

Diet

No, not the starvation kind! Enjoy your food and eat healthily. Some foods help to fight depression and anxiety. A carbohydrate rich diet helps the body produce serotonin - the 'feelgood' chemical.

Special serotonin foods are oats, whole wheat, bananas and other carbohydrate rich foods. Make sure you are having a full supplement of Vitamin B, magnesium, zinc and iron - a deficiency in any of these can lead to depression and anxiety-type symptoms and insomnia.

Natural Alternatives

There are many natural alternatives to prescription antidepressants, anxiolytics, and sleeping tablets. Research suggests that St John's Wort is as effective, but has far fewer side effects, than many of the commonly used prescription antidepressants. Passiflora, Melissa, and Lavender are other natural remedies to relieve anxiety and, in sufficient dosage, may also help to induce sleep.

To ensure therapeutic dosages and correct manufacturing processes, Feelgood Health has formulated a number of natural remedies to promote emotional and psychological health.

Becalm (adults) and KiddieCalmer (children) are specifically formulated to soothe the symptoms of anxiety and stress, while MindSoothe (adults) and MindSoothe Jr. (children) will assist with anxiety as well as depression. Serenite (capsules or drops for adults) and Serenite Jr. (drops for children) help to promote natural sleep.

All of these, and other natural remedies, can be ordered at Native Remedies. Consult a health practitioner before changing or stopping prescription medication!

Learn to Relax or Meditate

Relaxation techniques and meditation are easy to learn and are so effective in relieving stress, anxiety, and depression that I wonder why they are not routinely prescribed or even taught as a life skill at school! There are some excellent books on meditation and relaxation reviewed at www.feelgoodcounseling.com/AngelBooks.htm

Understand Your Symptoms

Why are you feeling depressed? What is bothering you? What needs to change to help you to feel better? Is it something in your present, or are there unresolved issues in your past or in your childhood that you still need to deal with and which are affecting your life and your relationships?

Are your anxiety symptoms realistic or do they subconsciously mask other issues in your life which need dealing with like low self esteem, relationship problems or problems from your childhood?

Symptoms of depression and anxiety are very troublesome, but they are also an 'early warning' signal from your body that something is not right and needs to change. Listen to your body and work on your problems to prevent further ill health.

If you need professional help in any of these areas, you are welcome to consult a professional online at Native Remedies

Here are some other useful eBooklets on the topic of Anxiety, panic attacks and Depression.

* Understanding And Treating Anxiety
* Help Yourself Overcome panic attacks
* Help Yourself Overcome Insomnia
* Understanding And Treating Depression

Feelgood Tip

Here's a private game to play, guaranteed to warm your heart! See how many people you can get to return a smile! Without looking loony, make eye contact, smile and greet each person you meet or pass (as long as it's not in a dark alley!). Count how many return your smile.

Not only does it feel good to have people smile at you, the facial muscles involved in smiling send messages to the brain, causing an increase in production of natural feelgood brain chemicals! Try it - you'll be surprised!

Rick Rakauskas

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Teaching Children To Be Kind

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Don't Panic!

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The way we use language changes the way we think. The way we think shapes the way we behave. If you can change the thinking, you can change the behaviour. And you can change the thinking by changing the language. This is just one of the principles beh... Read >

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Messy Play

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Panic Attacks During Pregnancy - How to Cure Panic Attacks While Pregnant?

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Tips on dealing with panic attacks at night

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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Treatment of Mental Illness

Extraordinary advances have been made in the treatment of mental illness. An understanding of what causes some mental health disorders has led to greater sophistication in tailoring treatment to the underlying basis of each disorder. As a result, many mental health disorders can now be treated nearly as successfully as physical disorders.

Most treatment methods for mental health disorders can be categorized as either somatic or psychotherapeutic. Somatic treatments include drug therapy and electroconvulsive therapy. Psychotherapeutic treatments include individual, group, or family and marital psychotherapy; behavior therapy techniques (such as relaxation training or exposure therapy); and hypnotherapy. Most studies suggest that for major mental health disorders, a treatment approach involving both drugs and psychotherapy is more effective than either treatment method used alone.

Psychiatrists are not the only mental health care professionals trained to treat mental illness. Others include clinical psychologists, social workers, nurses, and some pastoral counselors. However, psychiatrists are the only mental health care professionals licensed to prescribe drugs. Other mental health care professionals primarily practice psychotherapy.

Types of Mental Health Care Professionals

Professional Training and Expertise

Psychiatrist

Medical doctor with 4 years of psychiatric training after graduation from medical school.

Can prescribe drugs and admit people to the hospital. Some practice psychotherapy, some only prescribe drugs, and many do both.

Psychologist Professional who has a doctorate but not a medical degree. Many have postdoctoral training, and most are trained to administer psychologic tests that are helpful in diagnosis. May conduct psychotherapy but cannot perform physical examinations, prescribe drugs, or admit people to the hospital.

Psychiatric social worker A professional with specialized training in certain aspects of psychotherapy, such as family/marital therapy or individual psychotherapy. Often trained to interface with the social service systems in the state. May have a master's degree, but some have doctorates as well. Cannot perform physical examinations or prescribe drugs.

Psychiatric nurse Registered nurse who may practice psychotherapy independently in some states and may prescribe drugs under the supervision of a doctor.

Psychoanalyst May be a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker who has many years of training in the practice of psychoanalysis, a type of intensive psychotherapy involving several sessions a week designed to explore unconscious patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior. Psychoanalysts who are also psychiatrists may prescribe drugs and admit people to hospitals in addition to conducting psychoanalysis.

Drug Therapy

Over the last 40 years, a number of psychoactive drugs have been developed that are highly effective and widely used by psychiatrists and other medical doctors. These drugs are often categorized according to the disorder for which they are primarily prescribed. For example, antidepressants are used to treat depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the newest and most widely used class of antidepressants. Other new classes of antidepressants are being developed.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

With electroconvulsive therapy, electrodes are attached to the head, and a series of electrical shocks are delivered to the brain to induce seizures. This therapy has consistently been shown to be the most effective treatment for severe depression. Many people treated with electroconvulsive therapy experience temporary memory loss. However, contrary to its portrayal in the media, electroconvulsive therapy is safe and rarely causes any other complications. The modern use of anesthetics and muscle relaxants has greatly reduced any risk to the person.

Psychotherapeutic Treatments

In recent years, significant advances have been made in the field of psychotherapeutic treatments. Psychotherapy, sometimes referred to as "talk" therapy, works on the assumption that each person has within himself the cure for his own suffering and that this cure can be facilitated through a trusting, supportive relationship with a psychotherapist. By creating an empathetic and accepting atmosphere, the therapist often is able to help the person identify the source of his problems and consider alternatives for dealing with them.

The emotional awareness and insight that the person gains through psychotherapy often results in a change in attitude and behavior that allows the person to live a fuller and more satisfying life. Psychotherapy is appropriate in a wide range of conditions. Even people who do not have a mental health disorder may find psychotherapy helpful in coping with such problems as employment difficulties, bereavement, or chronic illness in the family. Group psychotherapy, couples' therapy, and family therapy are also widely used.

Most mental health professionals practice within one of five types of psychotherapy: psychoanalysis, psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, behavior therapy, or interpersonal therapy. Psychoanalysis is the oldest form of psychotherapy and was developed by Sigmund Freud in the first part of the 20th century. The person typically lies on a couch in the therapist's office 4 or 5 times a week and attempts to say whatever comes into his mind, a practice called free association.

Much of the focus is on understanding how past patterns of relationships repeat themselves in the present. The relationship between the person and the therapist is a key part of this focus. An understanding of how the past affects the present helps the person develop new and more adaptive ways of functioning in relationships and in work settings.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy, like psychoanalysis, emphasizes the identification of unconscious patterns in current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. However, the person is usually sitting instead of lying on a couch and attends only 1 to 3 sessions per week. In addition, less emphasis is placed on the relationship between the person and therapist.

Cognitive therapy helps people identify distortions in thinking and understand how these distortions lead to problems in their lives. The underlying premise is that how people feel and behave are determined by how they interpret experiences. Through the identification of core beliefs and assumptions, people can begin to think in different ways about their experiences, resulting in improvement in symptoms, behavior, and feelings.

Behavior therapy is related to cognitive therapy. Sometimes, a

combination of the two, known as cognitive-behavior therapy, is used. The theoretical basis of behavior therapy is learning theory, which holds that abnormal behaviors are due to faulty learning. Behavior therapy involves a number of interventions that are designed to help the person unlearn maladaptive behaviors while learning adaptive behaviors. Exposure therapy is one example of a behavior therapy (see

What Is Exposure Therapy? ).

Interpersonal therapy was initially conceived as a brief psychologic treatment for depression and is designed to improve the quality of a depressed person's relationships. It focuses on unresolved grief, conflicts that arise when people fill roles that differ from their expectations (such as when a woman enters a relationship expecting to be a stay-at-home mother and finds that she must also be the major provider for the family), social role transitions (such as going from being an active worker to being retired), and difficulty communicating with others. The therapist teaches the person to improve aspects of interpersonal relationships, such as overcoming social isolation and responding in a less habitual way to others.

Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are often used to manage pain and treat physical disorders that have a psychologic component. Hypnosis is simply the induction of a trance or altered state of consciousness, whereas hypnotherapy involves psychotherapeutic intervention in conjunction with the hypnotic state. These techniques may promote relaxation and thereby lower anxiety and reduce tension. For example, hypnosis and hypnotherapy can help people with cancer who have anxiety or depression in addition to pain.

About 20% of American children suffer from a diagnosable mental illness during a given year, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. Further, nearly 5 million American children and adolescents suffer from a serious mental illness (one that significantly interferes with their day-to-day life).

Which Mental Illnesses Are Most Common in Children?

Children can suffer from the following mental illnesses:

• Anxiety disorders: Children with anxiety disorders respond to certain things or situations with fear and dread, as well as with physical signs of anxiety (nervousness), such as a rapid heartbeat and sweating.

• Disruptive behavior disorders: Children with these disorders tend to defy rules and often are disruptive in structured environments, such as school.

• Pervasive development disorders: Children with these disorders are confused in their thinking and generally have problems understanding the world around them.

• Eating disorders: Eating disorders involve intense emotions and attitudes, as well as unusual behaviors, associated with weight and/or food.

• Elimination disorders: These disorders affect behavior related to the elimination of body wastes (feces and urine).

• Learning and communication disorders: Children with these disorders have problems storing and processing information, as well as relating their thoughts and ideas.

• Affective (mood) disorders: These disorders involve persistent feelings of sadness and/or rapidly changing moods.

• Schizophrenia: This is a serious disorder that involves distorted perceptions and thoughts.

• Tic disorders: These disorders cause a person to perform repeated, sudden, involuntary and often meaningless movements and sounds, called tics.

Some of these illnesses, such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders and schizophrenia, can occur in adults as well as children. Others, such as behavior and development disorders, elimination disorders, and learning and communication disorders, begin in childhood only, although they can continue into adulthood. In rare cases, tic disorders can develop in adults. It is not unusual for a child to have more than one disorder.

What Are the Symptoms of Mental Illness in Children?

Symptoms vary depending on the type of mental illness, but some of the general symptoms include:

• Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol

• Inability to cope with daily problems and activities

• Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits

• Excessive complaints of physical ailments

• Defying authority, skipping school, stealing or damaging property

• Intense fear of gaining weight

• Long-lasting negative moods, often accompanied by poor appetite and thoughts of death

• Frequent outbursts of anger

• Changes in school performance, such as poor grades despite good efforts

• Loss of interest in friends and activities they usually enjoy

• Significant increase in time spent alone

• Excessive worrying or anxiety

• Hyperactivity

• Persistent nightmares

• Persistent disobedience or aggressive behavior

• Frequent temper tantrums

• Hearing voices or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)

What Causes Mental Illness?

The exact cause of most mental disorders is not known, but research suggests that a combination of factors, including heredity, biology, psychological trauma and environmental stress, may be involved.

• Heredity (genetics): Mental illness tends to run in families, which means the likelihood to develop a mental disorder may be passed on from parents to their children.

• Biology: Some mental disorders have been linked to special chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters help nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other. If these chemicals are out of balance or not working properly, messages may not make it through the brain correctly, leading to symptoms. In addition, defects in or injury to certain areas of the brain also have been linked to some mental illnesses.

• Psychological trauma: Some mental illnesses may be triggered by psychological trauma, such as severe emotional, physical or sexual abuse; an important early loss, such as the loss of a parent; and neglect.

• Environmental stress: Stressful or traumatic events can trigger a mental illness in a person with a vulnerability to a mental disorder.

How Is Mental Illness in Children Diagnosed?

As with adults, mental illnesses in children are diagnosed based on signs and symptoms that suggest a particular disorder. However, this process can be especially challenging with children. Many behaviors that are seen as symptoms of mental disorders, such as shyness, anxiety (nervousness), strange eating habits and outbursts of temper, can occur as a normal part of a child's development. Behaviors become symptoms when they occur very often, last a long time, occur at an unusual age or cause significant disruption to the child's and/or family's ability to function.

If symptoms are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical examination. Although there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose mental disorders, the doctor may use various tests, such as X-rays and blood tests, to rule out physical illness or medication side effects as the cause of the symptoms.

If no physical illness is found, the child may be referred to a child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist, mental health professionals who are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illness in children and teens. Psychiatrists and psychologists use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate a child for a mental disorder. The doctor bases his or her diagnosis on reports of the child's symptoms and his or her observation of the child's attitude and behavior. The doctor often must rely on reports from the child's parents, teachers and other adults because children often have trouble explaining their problems or understanding their symptoms.

How Is Mental Illness in Children Treated?

Mental disorders are like many medical illnesses that require ongoing treatment. Although much progress has been made in the treatment of adults with mental disorders, the treatment of children is not as well understood. Experts are still exploring which treatments work best for which conditions in children. For now, many of the treatment options used for children, including many medications, are the same as what is used to treat adults. The most common treatment options used include:

• Medication: Many mental illnesses can be effectively treated with medications. The medications often used to treat mental disorders in children include antipsychotics, antidepressants and antianxiety drugs, stimulants and mood stabilizing drugs.

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy (a type of counseling) addresses the emotional response to mental illness. It is a process in which trained mental health professionals help people deal with their illness, often by talking through strategies for understanding and dealing with their symptoms, thoughts and behaviors. Types of psychotherapy often used with children are supportive, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, group and family therapy.

• Creative therapies: Certain therapies, such as art therapy or play therapy, may be helpful, especially with young children who may have trouble communicating their thoughts and feelings.

What Is the Outlook for Children With Mental Illness?

When treated appropriately and early, many children can fully recover from their mental illness or successfully control their symptoms. While some children become disabled adults because of a chronic or severe disorder, many people who have a mental illness are able to live full and productive lives.

It is very important to seek treatment for your child if they are displaying any symptoms of mental illness. Without treatment, many mental disorders can continue into adulthood and lead to problems in all areas of the person's adult life. People with untreated mental disorders are at high risk for many problems, including alcohol or drug abuse, and violent or self-destructive behavior, even suicide.

What Research Is Being Done on Mental Illness in Children?

To date, most research on mental illness has centered on mental disorders in adults. However, the mental health community has now begun to focus on mental illness in children. Researchers are looking at childhood development in terms of what is normal and abnormal, trying to understand how factors affecting development can have an impact on mental health. The goal is to try to predict, and ultimately, prevent, developmental problems that could lead to mental illness. A key part of this research is the identification of risk factors -- factors that increase a child's chances of developing a mental disorder. In addition, the mental health community is calling for additional research on medications used to treat children with mental disorders.

Can Mental Illness in Children Be Prevented?

Most mental disorders are caused by a combination of factors and cannot be prevented. However, if symptoms are recognized and treatment is started early, many of the distressing and disabling effects of a mental illness may be prevented or at least minimized.

Mental Health:

Mental Illness Basics

Mental illness is any disease or condition affecting the brain that influence the way a person thinks, feels, behaves and/or relates to others and to his or her surroundings. Although the symptoms of mental illness can vary from mild to severe and are different depending on the type of mental illness, a person with an untreated mental illness often is unable to cope with life's daily routines and demands.

What Causes Mental Illness?

Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known, it is becoming clear through research that many of these conditions are caused by a combination of genetic, biological, psychological and environmental factors. One thing is for sure -- mental illness is not the result of personal weakness, a character defect or poor upbringing, and recovery from a mental illness is not simply a matter of will and self-discipline.

• Heredity (genetics): Many mental illnesses run in families, suggesting that the illnesses may be passed on from parents to children through genes. Genes contain instructions for the function of each cell in the body and are responsible for how we look, act, think, etc. But, just because your mother or father may have a mental illness doesn't mean you will have one. Hereditary just means that you are more likely to get the condition than if you didn't have an affected family member. Experts believe that many mental conditions are linked to problems in multiple genes -- not just one, as with many diseases -- which is why a person inherits a susceptibility to a mental disorder, but doesn't always develop the condition. The disorder itself occurs from the interaction of these genes and other factors -- such as psychological trauma and environmental stressors -- which can influence, or trigger, the illness in a person who has inherited a susceptibility to it.

• Biology: Some mental illnesses have been linked to an abnormal balance of special chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters help nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other. If these chemicals are out of balance or are not working properly, messages may not make it through the brain correctly, leading to symptoms of mental illness. In addition, defects in or injury to certain areas of the brain also have been linked to some mental conditions.

• Psychological trauma: Some mental illnesses may be triggered by psychological trauma suffered as a child, such as severe emotional, physical or sexual abuse; a significant early loss, such as the loss of a parent; and neglect.

• Environmental stressors: Certain stressors -- such as a death or divorce, a dysfunctional family life, changing jobs or schools and substance abuse -- can trigger a disorder in a person who may be at risk for developing a mental illness.

Can Mental Illness Be Prevented?

Unfortunately, most mental illnesses are caused by a combination of factors and cannot be prevented.

How Common Is Mental Illness?

Mental illnesses are very common. In fact, they are more common than cancer, diabetes or heart disease. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, an estimated 23% of American adults (those ages 18 and older) -- about 44 million people -- and about 20% of American children suffer from a mental disorder during a given year. Further, about 5 million Americans adults, and more than 5 million children and adolescents suffer from a serious mental condition (one that significantly interferes with functioning).

Mental Health:

Mental Illness in Children

About 20% of American children suffer from a diagnosable mental illness during a given year, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. Further, nearly 5 million American children and adolescents suffer from a serious mental illness (one that significantly interferes with their day-to-day life).

Which Mental Illnesses Are Most Common in Children?

Children can suffer from the following mental illnesses:

• Anxiety disorders: Children with anxiety disorders respond to certain things or situations with fear and dread, as well as with physical signs of anxiety (nervousness), such as a rapid heartbeat and sweating.

• Disruptive behavior disorders: Children with these disorders tend to defy rules and often are disruptive in structured environments, such as school.

• Pervasive development disorders: Children with these disorders are confused in their thinking and generally have problems understanding the world around them.

• Eating disorders: Eating disorders involve intense emotions and attitudes, as well as unusual behaviors, associated with weight and/or food.

• Elimination disorders: These disorders affect behavior related to the elimination of body wastes (feces and urine).

• Learning and communication disorders: Children with these disorders have problems storing and processing information, as well as relating their thoughts and ideas.

• Affective (mood) disorders: These disorders involve persistent feelings of sadness and/or rapidly changing moods.

• Schizophrenia: This is a serious disorder that involves distorted perceptions and thoughts.

• Tic disorders: These disorders cause a person to perform repeated, sudden, involuntary and often meaningless movements and sounds, called tics.

Some of these illnesses, such as anxiety disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders and schizophrenia, can occur in adults as well as children. Others, such as behavior and development disorders, elimination disorders, and learning and communication disorders, begin in childhood only, although they can continue into adulthood. In rare cases, tic disorders can develop in adults. It is not unusual for a child to have more than one disorder.

What Are the Symptoms of Mental Illness in Children?

Symptoms vary depending on the type of mental illness, but some of the general symptoms include:

• Abuse of drugs and/or alcohol

• Inability to cope with daily problems and activities

• Changes in sleeping and/or eating habits

• Excessive complaints of physical ailments

• Defying authority, skipping school, stealing or damaging property

• Intense fear of gaining weight

• Long-lasting negative moods, often accompanied by poor appetite and thoughts of death

• Frequent outbursts of anger

• Changes in school performance, such as poor grades despite good efforts

• Loss of interest in friends and activities they usually enjoy

• Significant increase in time spent alone

• Excessive worrying or anxiety

• Hyperactivity

• Persistent nightmares

• Persistent disobedience or aggressive behavior

• Frequent temper tantrums

• Hearing voices or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)

What Causes Mental Illness?

The exact cause of most mental disorders is not known, but research suggests that a combination of factors, including heredity, biology, psychological trauma and environmental stress, may be involved.

• Heredity (genetics): Mental illness tends to run in families, which means the likelihood to develop a mental disorder may be passed on from parents to their children.

• Biology: Some mental disorders have been linked to special chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters help nerve cells in the brain communicate with each other. If these chemicals are out of balance or not working properly, messages may not make it through the brain correctly, leading to symptoms. In addition, defects in or injury to certain areas of the brain also have been linked to some mental illnesses.

• Psychological trauma: Some mental illnesses may be triggered by psychological trauma, such as severe emotional, physical or sexual abuse; an important early loss, such as the loss of a parent; and neglect.

• Environmental stress: Stressful or traumatic events can trigger a mental illness in a person with a vulnerability to a mental disorder.

How Is Mental Illness in Children Diagnosed?

As with adults, mental illnesses in children are diagnosed based on signs and symptoms that suggest a particular disorder. However, this process can be especially challenging with children. Many behaviors that are seen as symptoms of mental disorders, such as shyness, anxiety (nervousness), strange eating habits and outbursts of temper, can occur as a normal part of a child's development. Behaviors become symptoms when they occur very often, last a long time, occur at an unusual age or cause significant disruption to the child's and/or family's ability to function.

If symptoms are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical examination. Although there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose mental disorders, the doctor may use various tests, such as X-rays and blood tests, to rule out physical illness or medication side effects as the cause of the symptoms.

If no physical illness is found, the child may be referred to a child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychologist, mental health professionals who are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illness in children and teens. Psychiatrists and psychologists use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate a child for a mental disorder. The doctor bases his or her diagnosis on reports of the child's symptoms and his or her observation of the child's attitude and behavior. The doctor often must rely on reports from the child's parents, teachers and other adults because children often have trouble explaining their problems or understanding their symptoms.

How Is Mental Illness in Children Treated?

Mental disorders are like many medical illnesses that require ongoing treatment. Although much progress has been made in the treatment of adults with mental disorders, the treatment of children is not as well understood. Experts are still exploring which treatments work best for which conditions in children. For now, many of the treatment options used for children, including many medications, are the same as what is used to treat adults. The most common treatment options used include:

• Medication: Many mental illnesses can be effectively treated with medications. The medications often used to treat mental disorders in children include antipsychotics, antidepressants and antianxiety drugs, stimulants and mood stabilizing drugs.

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy (a type of counseling) addresses the emotional response to mental illness. It is a process in which trained mental health professionals help people deal with their illness, often by talking through strategies for understanding and dealing with their symptoms, thoughts and behaviors. Types of psychotherapy often used with children are supportive, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, group and family therapy.

• Creative therapies: Certain therapies, such as art therapy or play therapy, may be helpful, especially with young children who may have trouble communicating their thoughts and feelings.

What Is the Outlook for Children With Mental Illness?

When treated appropriately and early, many children can fully recover from their mental illness or successfully control their symptoms. While some children become disabled adults because of a chronic or severe disorder, many people who have a mental illness are able to live full and productive lives.

It is very important to seek treatment for your child if they are displaying any symptoms of mental illness. Without treatment, many mental disorders can continue into adulthood and lead to problems in all areas of the person's adult life. People with untreated mental disorders are at high risk for many problems, including alcohol or drug abuse, and violent or self-destructive behavior, even suicide.

What Research Is Being Done on Mental Illness in Children?

To date, most research on mental illness has centered on mental disorders in adults. However, the mental health community has now begun to focus on mental illness in children. Researchers are looking at childhood development in terms of what is normal and abnormal, trying to understand how factors affecting development can have an impact on mental health. The goal is to try to predict, and ultimately, prevent, developmental problems that could lead to mental illness. A key part of this research is the identification of risk factors -- factors that increase a child's chances of developing a mental disorder. In addition, the mental health community is calling for additional research on medications used to treat children with mental disorders.

Can Mental Illness in Children Be Prevented?

Most mental disorders are caused by a combination of factors and cannot be prevented. However, if symptoms are recognized and treatment is started early, many of the distressing and disabling effects of a mental illness may be prevented or at least minimized.

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