Page 270 - Parenting Instructors Manual

#11 – WHEN YOUR KIDS ARE IN TROUBLE

Depression
Causes:
 Lower levels of neurotransmitters (chemicals that carry signals through the
nervous system) in the brain, making it hard for a person to be able to feel
good. Depression may be passed down from parents. Kids with relatives
who have depression may be more likely to have it too.
 Major life changes can bring on symptoms of depression. Death of a
relative, a divorce, moving to a new city or school, problems with friends,
and stress can cause depression. Depression usually lasts weeks or months
if left untreated.
Treatment – Depression can be treated with counseling, medicine, or a
combination of therapy and medicine.

Sexual Activity
©2022 Learnovation®, LLC
 When kids hit puberty, the sex hormones kick in and they are more likely
to explore sexual relationships.
 How you feel about it as a parent can influence your kids.
 Make sure kids have the proper education and know safe sex practices.
For Evaluation Only
 Talk to your kids about sex early.
 Kids who are unsupervised or whose parents are not really communicating
with them tend to be more sexually active.
 Peer pressure and wanting to be in a relationship are common reasons for
teen sex.

Eating Disorders
 Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating are the most common types.
o Binge eating – binges 3 or more times a week – but doesn’t try to
purge the food
Why?
o Starts as a way to lose weight, but becomes an obsession, an intense
fear of being fat, or thinking they are fat when they aren’t.
o Often develops between 13-17 years old, common with girls. They
are going through lots of emotional pressures, physical changes, peer
pressure, academic stress – they feel their body is something they
can control.
o Unrealistic expectations of body image from media
o Can lead to serious health problems

Treatment – therapy and counseling

266 Parenting Pamphlet Series Instructor’s Manual When Your Kids Are In Trouble
©2019 Learnovation®, LLC www.learnovation.com