• excessive concern within the family with outward appearances, including body shape and weight
• parental focus on perfection and performance; harsh criticism for mistakes and inappropriate ways of dealing with conflict
• family history of sexual abuse
• strained relationship between husband and wife
• arbitrary role boundaries where children are encouraged to act more responsible than their age should permit and to take on roles or responsibilities for which they are psychologically ill-prepared

Medical complications

The physical complications associated with anorexia nervosa are potentially life-threatening. Damage to vital organs as a result of dehydration and malnutrition can result in:

• low blood pressure
• electrolyte imbalance
• cardiac arrhythmias
• thyroid gland deficiencies which can lead to cold intolerance and constipation
• appearance of fine baby-like body hair (lanugo)
• bloating or edema
• decrease in white blood cells, which leads to increased susceptibility to infection
• osteoporosis
• tooth erosion and decay from malnutrition and self-induced vomiting
• seizures related to fluid shifts due to excessive diarrhea or vomiting

The course and outcome of anorexia vary. Catching it in the early stages is associated with better treatment outcomes. Affirming our daughters true beauty and unconditional worth is both the best medicine and prevention.

If you think your daughter has anorexia talk with your child’s pediatrician, or your family doctor. They can assist you in finding a qualified mental health professional.

Anorexia Nervosa is a chronic, potentially life-threatening eating disorder. It is characterized by deliberate restriction of calories to the point of starvation. Anorexia usually begins at during puberty. Over a lifetime it will affect 1-2 percent of females in the US. Anorexia is most common among adolescent girls and young women, athletes, actors, dancers, models and media personalities.

Teens with anorexia are obsessed with their body weight and shape, fat distribution, dress size, food and calories, and have a pathologically distorted body image. In short they look in their mirror and see a fat girl when we see a sickly emaciated child. Symptoms include:

• restriction of calories to maintain a body weight that is less than 85 percent of the individual’s normal healthy weight. For example if a14 year-old girl’s normal, healthy body weight were 100 pounds, her anorexic weight would be an emaciated 85 pounds or less.
• obsessive preoccupation with body weight and intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat
• grossly distorted body image resulting in severe psychological and emotional impact on how one sees and values herself
• absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles (amenorrhea)

Types of anorexia

There are two types of anorexia nervosa, the restricting type and the binge-eating/purging type. Binge eating and purging behavior is defined as self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas and excessive exercise. In both types the symptoms are driven by fear of weight gain. Restrictive types do not binge or purge.

Causes of anorexia

Anorexia is a poorly understood, multifaceted disease; the exact cause or causes are unknown and are likely caused by several factors including genetics, personality type, family environment and brain biochemistry.

Scientists have found that the neurotransmitters (brain chemical messengers) serotonin and norepinephrine are frequently decreased in patients with anorexia in much the same way as individuals with depression.

Common personality traits among those with anorexia include low self-esteem, obsessive tendencies and perfectionism. Those with anorexia tend to be very driven to succeed in academics and sports, while never satisfied with themselves or their performance. This hidden low self-esteem is pathologically tied to their appearance and body image.

 

I had been smoking marijuana for 2 years but pot wasn’t doing it for me anymore. II was failing school, lost all my real friends–I hated everything. So one night I got 5 Vicodin and was drinking vodka. I remember thinking that if I do this, I may never wake up. It was funny, the thought of never waking up didn’t scare me as much as the thought of facing my life sober. So I took the pills and guzzled the vodka. I didn’t try to die — I just didn’t try very hard to live.
–James a 16 year-old high school student.

Today’s teens live in a stressful and often dangerous world. Easy access to drugs and alcohol combined with the enormous social pressures conspired to create an epidemic of stressed out, depressed teens who routinely “self-medicate” their sadness and low self-esteem. Like amateur pharmacists, some teens eagerly experiment with new drugs, frequently combining them alcohol. This dangerous attempt to alleviate the stress and pain in their lives always creates more problems than it cures. As abuse of drugs and alcohol escalates, so does their risk for overdose. For many depressed teens, drinking and drugging are a slow, quiet suicide.

Causes
Research shows that substance abuse increases the risk for depression. And, conversely, depression increases the risk for substance abuse. Here’s how. All drugs of abuse, including alcohol, act upon the same area of the brain involved in the regulation of mood. Experimentation with drugs or alcohol alters the balance key of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) in this part of the brain. Regular use of mind altering drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and alcohol cause temporary surge in these neurotransmitters resulting is a short–lived “high.” If the young person is already depressed, the “high” will feel like a vacation from his or her emotional pain. But what goes up must come down — so the highs are followed by dramatic lows and the cycle starts over again. Tragically, most young substance abusers erroneously believe that the solution to their dark moods and life’s problems is to use more drugs or drink more alcohol.

What to do
If you are depressed or abusing drugs or alcohol take heart because these problems are highly treatable but you will need help. Talk with someone who can be objective and honest with you like a parent, trusted friend, pastor or family doctor. Treatment usually involves counseling, medication and 12 step meetings. Whatever it takes–do it. You life is precious and God has a purpose and plan for you.

Substance abuse hinders emotional development in teens. This is due to the psychoactive effects of drugs on the emotional center (limbic system) in the brain. All drugs of abuse change how this part of the brain functions. Teens learn that using drugs and alcohol will quickly change their mood. When a teen is bored, smoking marijuana makes the time pass. When they feel depressed, alcohol or cocaine works wonders—for a while.

We become emotionally mature by experiencing all of our feelings and learning how to cope with them. It may take several years of sobriety for some teens to catch up emotionally. Helping your teen talk about his feelings and express them appropriately is not easy. It will require patience and persistence and, most of all, a willingness to listen.

ADHD is characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and activity. Until recently it was believed that children eventually outgrew ADHD, as hyperactivity generally wanes during the teen years. However, it is now known that ADHD persists from childhood through adolescence and often into adulthood.

The current body of scientific literature now views the disorder as existing on a spectrum that includes specific subtypes, symptoms and varying degrees of severity.

Three types of ADHD have been established according to which symptoms are strongest or most predominant in the individual.

Predominantly Inattentive Type: These children have tremendous difficulty organizing or finishing task, paying attention to details, or to follow instructions or conversations. The child is easily distracted and forgets details of daily routines.

Specific Symptoms of Inattention Include:

• Poor attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
• Difficulty sustaining attention on tasks or play activities.
• Appearing not to listen when spoken to directly.
• Frequent failure to follow instructions and finish schoolwork or chores.
• Difficulty organizing activities.
• Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn’t want to do things that demand sustained mental effort such as reading and general homework
• Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).
• Is often easily distracted.
• Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: The child fidgets and talks a lot. It is hard to sit still for long periods of time. Younger children may run, jump or climb constantly. The child appears restless and impulsive.

Specific Symptoms of Hyperactivity Include:

• Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
• Difficulty remaining seated in class or during other structured environments.
• Climbs and runs when and where it is not appropriate.
• Often have trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.
• High energy; is “on the go” constantly.
• Talks excessively.
• Impulsive behavior
• Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.
• Often has trouble waiting one’s turn.
• Often interrupts or butts into conversations or games.
• Some symptoms are present before age 7.
• Impairment is present in at least two different environments (e.g. at school and at home).

Combined Type: Symptoms of the above both types are evident.

If you are concerned about your child, talk with your pediatrician. He or she can evaluate your child and assist you in finding the best treatment in your area. Remember, ADHD is an illness. Your child does not want to be unfocused or inattentive any more than he or she would want strep throat. The good news is that ADHD is highly treatable, so the sooner you get help the better. Having a child with ADHD is hard on parents and on families so don’t go it alone. Talk with trusted friends, family members or your pastor. Pray for healing, patience and guidance and never forget that God loves your child even more than you do.

Written by Dr. Drew Edwards. All rights reserved.

“I have a child who…appears to be suffering from depression.”

Depression can be triggered initially by almost anything: break up with a girlfriend/boyfriend, guilt over doing wrong, feeling left out by friends, making bad grades. If gone untreated or unchecked, depression can become a very real physiological condition that may require medication.

Depression may appear similar to apathy: depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain that produces very definite behavioral manifestations: changes in personality, listlessness, loss of appetite, life seems to have no meaning, talk of suicide. Be engaged in your child’s life; find out what is the root of the depression.