DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN

Depressed children frequently have vitamin and mineral deficiency, particularly iron deficiency, and which is a significant contributing factor.

Iron deficient children are pale, tired and prone to being overwhelmed and disheartened by life’s challenges.

Set-backs and disappointments can depress them.

Cognitive behavioural therapy can help teach young people to react to life’s challenges and disappointments more appropriately.

Those who are not vitamin, mineral and iron deficient respond faster and more profoundly to cognitive behavioural therapy.

The taking of vitamin, mineral and iron supplements can often alleviate depression before cognitive behavioural therapy is commenced.

Depressed children should eat meat, fish or chicken every day and take a high potency vitamin and mineral supplement with the main meal. Also 300 mg of iron supplements on an empty stomach washed down with a little citrus juice with ¼ teaspoon of vitamin C powder in it one hour before the multi vitamins and main meal.

Have the taking of these vitamin supplements supervised by a naturopath, doctor or other health professional.

Be patient. If the brain tissues are deficient in iron, depression will remain until they are replenished, even though the iron deficiency anaemia has been corrected.

Many cases of iron deficiency are caused by malabsorption wrought by gluten sensitivity. Have the depressed person assessed by a naturopath for possible gluten sensitivity and removal of gluten from the diet.

Posted: 24 Jan 2005

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