Why So Many Kids and Teens Are Anxious and Depressed—and What We Can DoWhy So Many Kids and Teens Are Anxious and Depressed—and What We Can Do
Children's Health

Why So Many Kids and Teens Are Anxious and Depressed—and What We Can Do

Evidence-based lifestyle interventions for childhood anxiety and depression include sleep hygiene, nutrition, and stress reduction strategies.
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By Joel Warsh
Updated:
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This is part 5 in “Reversing Childhood Chronic Disease”

Functional pediatrician Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh will explore today’s most common childhood chronic diseases—such as obesity, eczema, and ADHD—offering insights on prevention and reversal to help create a healthier future for kids.

A few months ago, a 13-year-old girl came into my office with chronic stomachaches, headaches, poor sleep, and constant worry. Her mother had tried everything—eliminating gluten, adjusting schoolwork, adding supplements—but nothing seemed to calm her daughter.

When I asked what a typical day looked like, the picture was painfully familiar. She woke up before 6 a.m., rushed to school for eight hours of nonstop academic pressure, moved straight into after-school activities, then tackled homework until 9 or 10 p.m. She used screens until bedtime. No real downtime—ever. Her nervous system was never allowed to reset. Her body was sending signals, but no one had ever helped her understand them.

Reversing Childhood Chronic Disease
The Epoch Times
Part 1
How Empowered Parents Can Combat the Childhood Health Crisis
The Epoch Times
Part 2
Eczema Is More Than ‘Dry Skin’: 5 Practical Tips You Can Apply
The Epoch Times
Part 3
Obesity in Kids: Beyond Calories In, Calories Out
The Epoch Times
Part 4
How Certain Foods May Fuel ADHD Symptoms, and 5 Ways to Help
The Epoch Times
Part 5
Why So Many Kids and Teens Are Anxious and Depressed—and What We Can Do
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