To understand whether there is a connection between emotional wellness and endorphins and serotonin at all, it is important to understand what endorphins and serotonin are. It is also important to understand their role in the functions of the body.

Endorphin is a neurochemical, an organic substance that occurs in neural activity. Serotonin, on the other hand, is a neurotransmitter, a neurochemical that transmits nerve signals across a synapse (the junction between two neurons or a neuron and a muscle).

Endorphins are produced during strenuous exercise by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in the brain that controls the autonomic nervous system, the system responsible for involuntary actions including a sense of emotional wellness. The term endorphin is derived from endogenous and morphine, implying that it is a morphine-like substance that is derived from within the body. Endorphins have analgesic properties and their action is similar to that of opiates. Its action in the body is also similar to a corticosteroid biochemical.

There are differing opinions about the level of exercise required for the release of endorphins in the body. Runner’s high, a much publicized phenomenon, is believed to occur when a person crosses a threshold, (when breathing becomes difficult). This phenomenon is known to activate the production of endorphins to deal with the stress and pain caused during arduous exercise. The contrarian’s view, however, is that the feeling of emotional wellness comes from accomplishment rather than from exertion.

Serotonin is synthesized within serotonergic (relating to serotonin) neurons in the central nervous system. It plays an important role in certain physical and emotional responses. It is actively involved in anger, aggression, mood swings, sleep, vomiting, sexuality and appetite. Serotonin also a peripheral signal mediator and is found in the gastrointestinal tract. Stimulants and antidepressants like SSRI can terminate the uptake of serotonin thus restricting its action in the body. The effect of neurotransmitters like serotonin on human moods, state of mind and consciousness is difficult to ascertain. But the therapeutic modulation caused by drugs suggests that serotonin has an affect on a large part of the brain that is responsible for overall emotional wellness.

The study of the human brain is a subject matter of neuroscientists but the human mind is a mystery that still defies all logic. Neuroscientists are involved in finding a link between brain chemicals and neurotransmitters and human behavior and emotions. Philosophers, on the other hand, have been trying for ages to rationalize and develop theories with regards to emotion. Despite scientific research and theories, moods, mood swings, emotional distress or wellness are still far from being explained completely.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

There are no quick-fix treatment options for adult or child depression. Depression is a legitimate mental disorder and it needs to be treated differently from physiological ailments. Treating child depression involves different procedures depending upon the severity of their condition, the child’s age and an understanding of what is going on in the child’s mind.

Teen depression is quickly reaching immense proportions and we are now seeing more teens suffer from clinical depression than ever before. Clinical depression is, to put it simply, a prolonged state of sadness that refuses to go away. There are treatment procedures that parents need to adopt since the child cannot be expected to go to a doctor to ask for help.

Initially you have to find a psychiatrist or a consultant who specializes in teen depression help and have their condition evaluated. General practitioners or even specialist in medicine may not be properly trained to handle cases of clinical depression.

There are various techniques that psychiatrists employ to treat child depression, but cognitive behavioral therapy is considered to be the most effective. Cognitive behavioral therapy works much faster than other treatments, such as interpersonal therapy. The psychiatrist helps the child to identify any fallacies in perception and leads the child to getting positive results from situations and events that may be feared. An effort is also made to restore the child’s self esteem so that more challenges can be met head-on.

In some cases, the specialist may feel the need to prescribe an anti-depressant medication along with behavioral therapy. However, before selecting a particular drug, the possibility of bipolar disorder has to be ruled out. Bipolar disorder consists of alternating mood changes from depression to mania, which requires strict monitoring and changing of drugs from anti-depressants to mood stabilizers, as needed.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) that block the re-uptake of serotonin so more of it is available to act on receptors in the brain are usually the preferred option of physicians. They are considered to be better than the old tricyclic drugs that are now believed to have worked earlier based on the placebo effect. However, that depends greatly upon the choice of the specialist who is in a better position to understand what the child is going through.

Antipsychotic drugs are only prescribed for children suffering from bipolar disorder, autism, schizophrenia and other severe conduct disorders. As child depression treatments, these must be administered according to the strict guidelines with regard to dosage and indications. Mood stabilizers like lithium have been found to be very effective in treating bipolar disorder in adults, but proof of their efficacy in treating children and adolescents is still being determined.

Discontinuing a medication is just as important as deciding the amount and time for the medicine. Stimulants, mood stabilizers and antidepressants are serious drugs and abrupt discontinuation can cause various withdrawal symptoms. In severe cases of depression, it may be several months or a year before these drugs can stop being taken. Moreover, there have not been enough studies conducted on the effects of these drugs on children because of the obvious moral values attached to it; children are not involved in clinical trials of these medications.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies

Normal adolescent behavior is marked by various mood changes.  A couple of good experiences and teens can feel like everything is fine with the world.  A single episode of indifference shown by a friend, especially of the opposite sex, can make a teen feel as if the world is falling apart.  Parents are quick to shrug off such transient depressive episodes because clinical depression seems to be too big a word to be used in the context of children.  However, it is a fact that child depression does exist and the statistics indicate the makings of a nationwide phenomenon.

Teen depression is often confused with other conditions like anxiety, conduct and mood disorders.  Moreover, teens tend to hide transient episodes from parents and often take to alcohol or self medicate with drugs.  This makes it all the more difficult to diagnose the condition.  Adolescents who are low on self esteem, excessively self-critical or unable to come to terms with events in their lives are at a higher risk of developing depression.  Teenage girls are at a higher risk and more prone to develop depression than teenage boys.

Clinical depression is defined as a continuous state of low mood characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy.  It is also proven by a despondent lack of activity that lasts for at least three months.  Depression can be caused due to hereditary or physical abnormalities within the brain.  It is actually caused by a conflict – a conflict that goes on within the mind.

Outside of genetics and abnormalities in the brain structure, some of the causes of teen depression can include:

• Family dysfunction -  Easily the most common cause of child depression.  Parents often fail to realize the affect that their behavior has on the psyche of the child.  Parents find it easy to label the child as a patient and are defensive about accepting any harm that they may have caused.  Family dysfunction includes aspects of inadequate communication or independence conflicts between parents or between parents and the child.
• Stress at school – School has ceased to be an enjoyable experience in the current scene where competition is emphasized more than learning.  Children who face stress at school are more prone to develop depression.
• Unrealistic parental expectations – Well meaning parents who are concerned about their children tend to push their children over the edge without realizing that each individual has his or her own intellectual limitations.  Parents who place unrealistic expectations upon their children actually do more harm than good.
• Unresolved grief – Death, loss of a cherished relationship or a traumatic event exposes teens to a greater risk of depression.
• Emotional detachment – The adolescent mind is highly emotional and there is no guarantee of how a teenager will perceive his or her inabilities.  Many times, inability to connect with others and an excessive fear of building new relationships may be the cause behind teen depression.

Depression, as it is, is difficult to diagnose.  The condition becomes even more difficult to identify among teens.  Parents should be well informed of the signs of depression and seek teen depression help from a consultant who is a specialist in teenage problems.

Article by Tess Thompson, courtesy of Native Remedies