Youth in Crisis takes an in-depth look at the many conditions haunting our children’s developing bodies. For each category in this section, we look at the description of the “condition”, the “criteria” set –forth by the medical profession, and how it relates to the bigger picture. Then there are corresponding links to the “causes” and the “successful cures” relating to the specific conditions.

Summary

Conditions and illnesses that used to occur mostly in adults are now threatening the youth. Adolescent violence, depression, obesity, addiction and suicide are on the rise, coupled with increases in learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (AD/HD), eating disorders, Bipolar and Obsessive/ Compulsive Disorders (OCD).  Cancer, strokes, diabetes, heart disease are now added to a growing list of childhood diseases that is considered an epidemic gone out of control.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Academy of Sciences have found that children are uniquely susceptible to hazardous environmental toxins.  Exposure to these chemical toxins can cause or contribute to childhood diseases and disrupt learning, behavior and development. In addition, stress has become a common word. Parents and educators feel overwhelmed, are pulled a thousand directions and work on constant overload. Single parents, dual working scenarios, and day care raising children add to a fast lifestyle caught in a web of complexity. The young are reflecting this turmoil.

Did you know that?

  •  One in five children is considered obese

  • AD/HD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) effects between 10% and 15% of all school children in the U.S. and is estimated to double in 3 to 4 years. In 1987, The American Psychiatric Association (APA) voted AD/HD, the disease, into existence.  

  • Over six million children between 6 and 18 are taking mind altering psychotropic drugs such as Ritalin, Luvox and Prozac for treatment of behavior problems, AD/HD, learning disabilities, and depression.  

  • The common link between the highly publicized acts of violence committed by children in the past two years (for instance, Columbine High in Colorado, Heritage High School in Georgia and Thurston High School in Oregon) was that the students who committed these acts were on some form of psychotropic drugs such as Ritalin and Luvox.  

  • Eating Disorders have the highest mortality rate in psychiatric practice (10-25% die).  

  • 15 – 20 % of the U.S. population have some form of learning disability, according to the National Institute of Health.  

  • Birth defects are the leading cause of infant death and a major cause of disability in young people, affecting more than 150,00 babies each year.  

  • Drinking water contaminated by atrazine in Iowa showed a significantly greater risk of low birth rates, premature births, and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).  

  • Teen Suicide: depression related suicide kills more teenagers and young adults than cancer, heart disease, AIDS, pneumonia, influenza birth defects, and stroke combined.

If we are to gain a deeper understanding of our Youth In Crisis, we must look at the environment, as well as the dinner table, the family and the classroom.

The youth are directly reflecting the crisis on the Earth. The Earth’s water is poison and no longer safe to drink without filters. Our soil, exhausted from erosion, topsoil depletion, and billions on tons of pesticides, is void of the life and vitality needed to grow food that can nourish children’s bodies. As we pollute our air, water and soil, we pollute our children. As we poison and deplete the soil we deprive our children of the very nutrients needed to develop strong skeletal, brain and nervous systems. To begin drawing a parallel of Earth and children’s health, the Earth In Crisis section covers some of the most prevalent conditions affecting the Earth.

Youth In Crisis is designed to provide as much information as is available for each “condition” facing children. By seeing the commonality in them perhaps we can begin to help our children return to childhood and support their ability to learn, create, play and be happy.  

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

If your child has been diagnosed with AD/HD, you’re not alone.  An estimated 8 million children worldwide are considered to have AD/HD, a disease voted into existence by the American Psychiatric Association in 1987. What exactly does AD/HD mean and what are the criteria for the diagnosis? Who is making the diagnosis and what are the theories based on? What is the economic influence? What treatment is most commonly prescribed and what are the alternatives? This page connects the issues revolving around AD/HD with an intention of bringing enhanced clarity to this controversial issue.  

 

Depression and Teen Suicide

With over 2.5 million children taking anti-depressants, childhood depression is quickly becoming a real and growing problem. This is even more terrifying knowing that depression related suicide kills more teenagers and young adults than cancer, heart disease, AIDS, pneumonia, influenza birth defects, and stroke combined. What are the reasons behind a child being diagnosed with depression?    What criteria do doctors follow in making this diagnosis and how is it treated? How does childhood depression and its common treatment relate to other similar neurological disorders and teen suicide?

 

Learning Disabilities

According to medical professionals, educators, and health officials, Learning Disabilities (LD’s) are on the rise.  LD’s present huge problems not only for a child’s self-esteem, but also for schools experiencing growing pressure from State Boards for higher test scores and better scholastic performance. This page will help us to understand what it means to be diagnosed with LD’s and why it has reached crisis proportions.

 

Obesity

The number of excessively over-weight children is reaching epidemic proportions, with 30% of children considered obese. What are the criteria for being obese? What is the underlying causes?   What are the health risks for obese children?

 

Bipolar / Obsessive – Compulsive

Bipolar and Obsessive – Compulsive Disorder (O.C.D.) usually manifests in adolescence. It is currenty estimated that from six to seven million Americans have or have had OCD.  What is this disorder, its origination, and the criteria used for diagnosis?  What are the many approaches being used to treat it, and what are the alternatives to traditional treatments?

 

Eating Disorders

Of all the psychiatric diagnosis’s, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate ranging from 10 to 25 percent. Anorexia and Bulimia touch on every aspect of our outer and inner life challenging caregivers, psychiatrists, and especially the ones who suffer.   This page will touch on the conditions, what to look for in a child who might be afflicted, and where to turn for help. 

 

Violence

This page looks at the increasing rate of violence in the schools and on the streets by asking the question, “what is behind this personal and social problem”. How does violence connect to other issues relating to kids health? Is it an escalating reaction stemming from other related childhood diseases? Do the most commonly prescribed medications have an influence on the nervous and brain functions? The intention on this subject is to stand back and take a broader look at this misunderstood and raging problem.

 

Addiction – Drug & Alcohol Abuse

What is the difference between addiction and abuse? When does addiction begin and why? In this section you will find out what common foods and substances, enjoyed by millions of children, are highly addictive. What does addiction have to do with diet, nutrition, media influence, and an uh-happy child? How is it diagnosed and treated? What is the common theme throughout addiction, abuse, healing and recovery? How might you tell if your children are using.

 

Birth Defects

Even though the United States ranks 1st among industrialized nations for economic stability, we experience a higher rate of birth defects ranking 25th internationally and the lowest among industrialized nations (with only 29 states have adequate reporting).  Why is this?  What are the main causes of birth defects and how can they be reduced?   What types are the most common and how does it relate to the big picture? 

Earth in Crisis
Coming Soon!

  
   

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