Rates of depression and anxiety among teenagers have increased by 70% in the last 25 years. ( The independant, Feb 2016).
There is more and more pressure on pre teens and teenagers with exams (from SATS to A levels), social media and peer pressure to name a few.
Some Complementary Alternative Medicines (or CAM) are considered helpful and safe for children by reducing anxiety, improving mood and concentration, helping with sleep and pain. (
goodtherapy.org)
The most popular ones are aromatherapy, massage, Reiki and dietary changes. They work particularly well along meditation, yoga and tai-chi. These treatments help with the physical pain ( body changing, time spent lying down while texting…) and the emotional pain ( anxiety with body change, pressure of revisions….)
As always, CAM does not replace traditional medicine and doctors and nurses must be kept informed especially with children with medical and/ or psychological illnesses.
I am DBS checked so can work with children but a parent/ carer must be present for children under 16.