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MOOD DISORDERS – KNOW THE SIGNS & WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD
Jun 15, 2021
“The prevalence of mood difficulties among young people is increasingly becoming a concern internationally,” says Dr Jacques Mostert, Brand Academic Manager at ADvTECH, SA’s leading private education provider. Dr Mostert holds a PhD in Psychology of Education and is globally renowned in his field, having conducted experiential research in education in Denmark, the UK, South Africa and The Netherlands.
Dr Mostert notes that an estimated 24% of teens between the ages of 11 to 19 suffer from depression caused by the home environment, 25% are subject to cyber-bullying and loneliness, 92% of LGBT youth report depression during the ages of 11 to 19, and 80% of teens between the ages of 11 to 19 report a sense of isolation that causes them to feel depressed.
“It is very important to understand the signs of depression, so that action can be taken timeously should concerns about the mental wellbeing of a child arise,” says Dr Mostert.
“Teachers and parents can recognise the onset of depression when a sudden change in behaviour becomes apparent and continues for at least 3 weeks or longer. These include an atypical lack of energy, becoming increasingly irritable and agitated without a rational explanation, and a sense of being down in the dumps for no reason.”
Some adolescents may withdraw from friends and family over a sustained period of time, he notes, adding that this is especially concerning if this is atypical of the normal interactions of the teen.
“Another red flag is the inability to concentrate in class where ADHD or other non-neurotypical difficulties are not present, as well as regularly failing to complete classroom and homework assignments in time or often being late to class because of feeling overwhelmed.
“This, coupled with unusually defiant behaviour towards teachers and other school staff, especially if this is non-typical behaviour, may indicate that the teen is experiencing difficulties with mood and affect.”
In the same way as with anxiety difficulties and disorder, the student often asks to go to go home because of feeling ill with no discernable symptoms. The teen often has days off from class time due to doctor’s appointments, hospitalisation, or inability to attend classes.
Changes in sleep patterns, a significant weight loss or gain in a short period of time and disinterest in hobbies or areas where the teen previously showed interest also raise concerns about the mental wellbeing of the teenager.
Finally, a loss of future-mindedness, or talk about death or suicide, engaging in risky or self-destructive behaviour (drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or cutting, for example) are clear signs of the teen suffering from mood difficulties or a possible mood disorder.
“Not all of the above need to be present, but if there is a discernable and drastic change in a young person’s behaviour which continues for a period of several weeks or longer, intervention is necessary,” Dr Mostert says.
He says first steps teachers and parents can take to help their child deal with depression at home and in the classroom include:
- DEVELOPING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Parents of teenagers should develop the habit of listening with empathy and not give in to the easier way out of lecturing. However, it must also be said that parents should be gentle yet persistent when it comes to holding realistic expectations of their child. - AVOIDING NEGATIVE TECHNIQUE STRATEGIES
Punishment, sarcasm, disparagement, and passive-aggression is a way of affirming the depressed teenager’s belief of not being worthy or a valued member of the family or society. Parents must be willing to be vulnerable and acknowledge their own and their teenager’s feelings, especially at a time of disruption such as the Covid – 19 pandemic. - NOT LOWERING EXPECTATIONS OR GIVING UNEARNED REWARDS
Realistic and earned rewards is one of the most important tools in a parent’s approach to supporting their depressed child. The sense of having earned a reward, and receiving acknowledgement for an aspect of their life they find significant affirms a sense of value. However, the opposite is also true. Unearned praise leaves the teenager with a feeling of inauthenticity and affirms their already negative self-perception. - PLANNING FOR EARNED SUCCESS
Activities that are of interest often fall by the wayside when teenagers are depressed. Often parents try to arrange and engage in these activities as a panacea to their teenager’s depression. However, this may exacerbate the young person’s feeling of worthlessness. Parents should find novel and interesting activities that may lead to earned success. This may include DIY activities around the house or asking for help with a specific app or technology in which, when success is achieved, due praise is earned.
“Most importantly, parents should trust their gut,” Dr Mostert says.
“If your teenager insists that nothing is wrong, despite a prolonged period of depressed mood or being diagnosed with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, parents should trust their instincts and seek help.
“Should the above techniques not bring about an improvement in the mental wellbeing, parents should seek advice from their medical practitioner or a psychiatrist.”
Mindfulness A fast-paced workplace where one is always overwhelmed with packed schedules, deadlines to meet and never having downtime, can contribute to burnout and ineffective discharge of duties. One of the ways in which this can be mitigated is by practicing mindfulness . What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is an act of meditation which teaches the practitioner to be present and not to let their mind wander. Practicing this form of meditation can bring many benefits and help reduce stress and improve memory. Through mindfulness you may be able to focus on the positive things in your life and give less energy to the things that may be harmful to you either mentally or physically. If left to its own devices, the mind will wander, and this can be a problem if you are trying to complete tasks to your full potential. If you can condition your mind to focus, you will be able to give everything you do a lot of attention, and this will help in creating the best output. The mind needs to be trained and mindfulness is a good practice to train your mind to focus on one thing at a time and give it your all. Mindfulness can be done to help you connect with yourself and your inner peace. It is beneficial to everyone; whether spiritual, religious or those who do not believe in a higher power at all. It is just a way to connect with yourself. Some experts believe that through mindfulness you will be able to accept your life experiences and work through them rather than avoiding them. You can couple this with therapy and be able to gain a deeper understanding of yourself. The beauty of this practice is that it can be done at any time, once you start getting used to the action. The easiest way to start is to find a quiet place and focus on your breathing. You have to breath intentionally and do not be hard on yourself if your mind starts to wonder, just bring yourself back to focusing on your breathing. The Benefits of Mindfulness Some of the benefits of mindfulness are that it improves mental health , it can help to reduce stress and even elevate your mood. It has been known to be used in the treatment of anxiety or depression. If you can live in the moment, it can help you not over to think situations or dwell on negative experiences. You can also control your emotions through the practice of mindfulness which can help if you have anger issues or have problems managing your stress levels. It is also helpful for lowering your heart rate because you will be breathing deeply therefore preventing health issues. The other benefits are being able to be calm in different situations and this type of focus can help you perform better at work or at school. Being able to be present allows for better performance because you will not be easily distracted and can complete the task at hand. Mindfulness also helps with creativity which can be a benefit when it comes to problem solving. You will be able to come up with new ways to help yourself and others. Furthermore, mindfulness can help you sleep better. If you are not constantly thinking about random things you will be able to fall asleep quicker and get an adequate amount of sleep which is important for mental health. According to Harvard health, mindfulness can improve physical health too, it can help reduce chronic pain and improve inflammation. In conclusion, mindfulness is a great tool to help heal your mind and body subsequently, increasing the quality of life and making it easier to handle stressful situations. Through mindfulness you can become an overall better person.
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In the dynamic realm of education, technology plays a pivotal role in reshaping instructional methods and the learning experience at Gaborone International School (GIS ). From early childhood to higher education, technology permeates every facet of modern learning and unlocks diverse possibilities. 1. Early Computing Exposure: In the past, computer literacy was delayed to later schooling stages, but GIS prioritises early technology exposure. Even our youngest learners engage with educational software , mastering fundamental computer skills before literacy in traditional subjects. This early exposure not only equips them with essential tools but also cultivates comfort and adaptability in the digital era. 2. Online Research Integration: The internet allows GIS students to explore diverse subjects and access academic resources beyond textbooks. Platforms like Google Scholar empower students to enhance comprehension and critical thinking skills. 3. Educational Video Utilization: Platforms like YouTube serve as invaluable educational resources, offering diverse content across subjects. Supervised video viewing supplements classroom instruction, catering to various learning styles. For example, science teachers use YouTube to demonstrate chemical reactions, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation among students. 4. Robotics Integration: GIS' Science and Technology lab transcends theoretical learning, incorporating robotics for practical application. Students engage in experiential learning by building and programming robots, honing problem-solving skills across physics, engineering, and programming. 5. Enhanced Parental Engagement: Technology bridges school and home , facilitating smooth communication and parental involvement. Online platforms enable virtual school meetings, real-time access to academic reports, and effortless communication with teachers, strengthening the home-school partnership. In conclusion, technology has become integral at GIS , reshaping education and enriching the learning experience. From early childhood to advanced learning, technology empowers students to thrive in the digital age and beyond.
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