Depression affects approximately 5 percent of adolescents and children at any time, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Supplements may help, but depression is a neurobiological disorder that can lead to serious consequences if left untreated. Consult a qualified health professional if you suspect that your child is depressed.
St. John's Wort
The book "Nutritional and Herbal Therapies for Children and Adolescents" states that physicians frequently prescribe St. John's Wort in Europe for childhood depression. Author George Kapalka notes that although researchers have studied St. John's Wort more extensively in adults than in children, a few preliminary trials have demonstrated that this supplement -- with minimal side effects -- diminishes symptoms of depression in children and adolescents. Like prescription antidepressants, St. John's Wort may work by making more neurotransmitters available to the brain. Consult a pediatrician or other qualified health professional about whether St. John's Wort is appropriate for your child.
Rhodiola
Rhodiola is an herb that bolsters the body's defenses against chemical, biological and emotional stressors. Also known as golden root, this supplement has psychostimulant and antidepressant effects. Practitioners in Europe and Asia use rhodiola as a remedy for fatigue and cognitive problems. According to a review in the "Journal of Affective Disorders," rhodiola may provide benefits for depression that is accompanied by lethargy. Kapalka's book states that while no one has yet standardized dosing for rhodiola for children, this supplement is not associated with negative side effects. Kapalka advises that children may take small doses under the cautious supervision of a qualified medical professional.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
An article in the journal "CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics" concluded that in three small, controlled studies, omega-3 fatty acids were better than a placebo in easing the symptoms of adult and childhood depression. Omega-3 fatty acids are important to normal brain functioning, but the body does not produce them. People must obtain them from dietary sources. Oily fish such as herring, lake trout, mackerel and salmon are the most abundant sources of omega-3s. For children and adolescents who do not consume large quantities of fish, fish oil supplements are a good replacement. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that people in regions and countries where fish is a dietary staple have a significantly lower risk for depression, according to authors Yamima Osher and R. H. Belmaker. Consult a qualified health-care practitioner before adding omega-3 supplements to your child's regimen.
References
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: The Depressed Child
- "CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics"; Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Depression: A Review of Three Studies; Y. Osher et al; Summer 2009
- "Nutritional and Herbal Therapies for Children and Adolescents"; George Kapalka; 2010
- "Journal of Affective Disorders"; Second-Tier Natural Antidepressants: Review and Critique; N. Iovieno et al; June 2010
