I’ve written about this topic multiple times in my head, just not one that is published. Upon doing some research this morning, I was once again floored at the stats of medicating for mental illness. One, it makes me sad to think of all of the KIDS and adults that ‘hate their life’. The kids who don’t see the beauty in each day and everything around them. Once relying on outside-in health, they start to believe that some little pill is the only thing that will make them happy. What happens when that pill (or later, that concoction) doesn’t make them happy? I think we can write the end of the story. And THAT is what is inspiring me to take action; to play bigger for our kids and their families.
When pulling up research, I got lost in the stats. OMG, it makes me so mad and so sad. Once again, this is a multi-BILLION dollar business. In my last blog, I talked about our nation being the ‘walking ‘dead’ and there is even more truth to that as I am reading. One of the most startling stats is from the CDC in 2011 – http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db76.htm. Specifically, this statement is the most eye opening to me: From 1988–1994 through 2005–2008, the rate of antidepressant use in the United States among all ages increased nearly 400% (1).
As a parent, I cannot imagine having a child who isn’t happy. This is what people tell me: 1) They are sick due to genetics (e.g. mom and grandma both struggled with anxiety and depression), 2) They are sick because of high stress, either in the family or in school, 3) I have no idea why my child isn’t happy. We have a great life and strong family.
I’m going to debunk the first two.
1) Genetics affect less than 2-5% of the population. I call this ‘learned genetics’ instead. When the child continues to see and hear the mom and grandma struggle with their health (and most likely take some little pill), when the child experiences the same thing, it is considered ‘normal’. This is NOT normal.
2) If we tested 10 kids with high family/home stress, why would some kids struggle with anxiety and depression and some not? It is not because of the stress, but how the body is adapting to the stress. Think of it like having a full bathtub; all it takes is one drop to cause the overflow. Was is the last drop that did it? No, it was the compilation of all of the water. The same is true for your child’s health. It may be the culmination of 1 or more things that create disharmony in your child’s body, thus just starting to show symptoms.
This is what I would for my child (in order of importance and combined) if they are struggling with anxiety, depression or anything psychological.
1. Get your child checked by a pediatric chiropractor (has experience working with children) who is using technology in his or her office that measures and tracks the neurological components of subluxation (when the circuit breakers that connect the brain and body are blown).
2. Clean up the diet by adding more fruits and vegetables and removing pesticides, dairy, sugar and artificial sweeteners. The necessary components of healthy living are food, air and water and all of them are polluted.
3. Supplement diet with vitamins such as fish oil, vitamin D, probiotics, and an antioxidant.
4. Add in more exercise and outdoor play. Create play; don’t have it created for you.
5. Significantly decrease or eliminate electronics – tv, phones, ipad, ipod, etc.
6. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES.
Parents, your child is depending on you to make the best decision for them. I know you are willing to do whatever it takes to make them feel better. My advice: Allow the body to do what God has designed it to do, heal from the inside out. Ask your pediatric chiropractor how he or she can assist in allowing God to shine through.
Hopeful for better health for our kids,
Dr. Tiffany
