Posts Tagged ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
Individuals who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) develop a depressed state when the seasons change from summer to winter. Once the weather begins to warm back up and days get longer, the symptoms leave. A lack of exposure to daylight and genetics contribute to the disorder.
Symptoms
Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms include fatigue, depression, a decrease in activity, overeating and a lack of desire to engage in social events.
Time Frame
The depression symptoms typically begin in October and begin to lift around March to April.
Demographics
SAD affects women more often than it affects men, but the symptoms in men are stronger.
Region
The disorder is most common in areas of the world farther from the equator. The days are shorter and therefore, less sunlight is available during the day.
Therapy
Because the cause of the disorder is a lack of daylight, therapy for SAD includes using a special light box 30 minutes a day to increase daylight exposure. Other therapy includes medications, moving to a warmer climate during the winter, learning stress-reduction techniques and eating a healthy diet.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/22523-seasonal-diffective-disorder/#ixzz0wskyQOw7
Tags: Depression, Light box, Light Therapy, SAD, SAD light, SAD lights, Seasonal Affective Disorder
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Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
Talk to your doctor if you suspect your child has SAD. Doctors and mental health professionals make a diagnosis of SAD after a careful evaluation and a checkup to ensure that symptoms aren’t due to a medical condition that needs treatment. Tiredness, fatigue, changes in appetite and sleep, and low energy can be signs of other medical problems, such as hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, or mononucleosis.
When symptoms of SAD first develop, it’s not uncommon for parents to attribute low motivation, energy, and interest to an intentional poor attitude. Learning about SAD can help them understand another possible reason for the changes, easing feelings of blame or impatience with their child or teen.
Parents sometimes are unsure about how to discuss their concerns and observations. The best approach is usually one that’s supportive and nonjudgmental. Try opening the discussion saying something like, “You haven’t seemed yourself lately — you’ve been so sad and grouchy and tired, and you don’t seem to be having much fun. It seems like you’ve been feeling kind of worn out and exhausted — like you just can’t get enough sleep. So, I’ve made an appointment for you to get a checkup. I want to help you to feel better and get back to doing your best and enjoying yourself again.”
Here are a few things you can do if your child or teen has been diagnosed with SAD:
- Participate in your child’s treatment. Ask the doctor how you can best help your child.
- Help your child understand SAD. Learn about the disorder and provide simple explanations. Remember, concentration might be difficult, so it’s unlikely your child will want to read or study much about SAD — if so, just recap the main points.
- Encourage your child to get plenty of exercise and to spend time outdoors. Take a daily walk together.
- Find quality time. Spend a little extra time with your child — nothing special, just something low-key that doesn’t require much energy. Bring home a movie you might enjoy or share a snack together. Your company and caring are important and provide personal contact and a sense of connection.
- Be patient. Don’t expect symptoms to go away immediately. Remember that low motivation, low energy, and low mood are part of SAD — it’s unlikely that your child will respond cheerfully to your efforts to help.
- Help with homework. You may have to temporarily provide hands-on assistance to help your child organize assignments or complete work. Explain that concentration problems are part of SAD and that things will get better again. Kids and teens with SAD may not realize this and worry that they’re incapable of doing the schoolwork. You may also want to talk to the teachers and ask for extensions on assignments until things get better with treatment.
- Help your child to eat right. Encourage your child to avoid loading up on simple carbohydrates and sugary snacks. Provide plenty of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
- Establish a sleep routine. Encourage your child to stick to a regular bedtime every day to reap the mental health benefits of daytime light.
- Take it seriously. Don’t put off evaluation if you suspect your child has SAD. If diagnosed, your child should learn about the seasonal pattern of the depression. Talk often about what’s happening, and offer reassurance that things will get better, even though that may seem impossible right now.
Tags: Children, Depression, Exercise, Healthy, Light box, Light Therapy, SAD, SAD light, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Severe Depression, Sleep Routine, Support, Treatment
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Friday, August 6th, 2010
When a patient has clinical depression, she has symptoms like sadness and anger that interfere in her life. Not all forms of depression are the same: each type of depression has different diagnostic criteria, such as the duration and number of symptoms. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that major depression, atypical depression and dysthymia are the most common forms of depression. Another depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, occurs only during certain times of the year.
Major Depression
Major depression is one type of depression that occurs in both children and adults, though it is more prevalent in women, according to the NIH. To be diagnosed with major depression, the patient must have five or more symptoms of depression that last for at least two weeks. Like other psychiatric disorders, these symptoms must be a change in the person’s normal mood and behavior, and must interfere in her ability to function. Examples of major depression symptoms include agitation, problems concentrating, sleeping difficulties, changes in appetite and weight, feeling hopeless or worthless, fatigue, withdrawal from once enjoyed activities, and suicidal thoughts. If, however, the patient has only two to four symptoms, she is diagnosed with minor depression.
Atypical Depression
The NIH states that one-third of patients with depression are diagnosed with atypical depression. The main diagnostic criteria of atypical depression is mood reactivity, where the patient’s mood either improves or deteriorates in response to an event; a patient with major depression, on the other hand, only has a depressed mood. In addition to the mood reactivity, the patient must have two or more of the following symptoms: a strong reaction to rejection, overeating, oversleeping and a heavy feeling in the limbs.
Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a chronic form of depression that affects five percent of the population, according to the NIH. A patient can have just dysthymia, or dysthymia combined with another form of depression, like major depression, or a psychiatric disorder. To be diagnosed with dysthymia, the patient must have a low mood for at least two years and two other symptoms, like poor concentration, feeling hopeless, low self-esteem, fatigue, changes in appetite and sleeping problems.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during the winter, though a rare form of SAD occurs during the summer, according to the NIH. For a patient to have SAD, symptoms must be present for at least two years, and he cannot have depressive episodes at other points of the year. Symptoms that distinguish SAD from other depressive disorders include decreased energy and concentration in the afternoon, lethargic movement, excessive daytime sleepiness, and carbohydrate cravings.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/89356-diagnostics-depression/#ixzz0vT7PCMyT
Tags: Depression, Light Therapy, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Severe Depression
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Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Depression occurs in the young and the old and in men and women. We do know that the rate of depression in men is less than for women.
The symptoms that men experience can be different from those that women experience. Symptoms including anger, irritability, and feeling discouraged are more common in men than symptoms of hopelessness or helplessness.
Typical symptoms we associate with depression such as depressed mood may not be present in depression in men. This can make it more difficult to recognize depression in men. Many famous men, including President Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill, had depression and still lived successful lives.
Unfortunately, men are not as likely as women to admit to having depression. Even if they do admit to having depression, they may be less likely to seek treatment. Men may stuff their feelings instead of verbalizing them. They may work more, gamble, or use alcohol or drugs to avoid their feelings. Their sleep and or appetite may change. They may suddenly begin talking about divorce or separation.
Women attempt suicide more often than men, but the rate of completed suicide in men is 4 times that of women. Suicide rates peak in mid life and again later in life. Men age 85 and older have the highest suicide rate.
Men want and need to be strong for their families; they don’t want to appear weak or vulnerable. If they are the primary bread winner, they can feel pressure to provide for their dependents. Of course, these general statements can be applied to women as well.
If you suspect a friend or loved one may be depressed, urge them to seek a professional evaluation. There are many options, including medication, therapy or a combination of the two.
Tags: Depression, SAD, SAD light, SAD lights, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Severe Depression
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Monday, July 12th, 2010
We frequently talk about the importance of treating depression. Here’s another reason to get help now.
As many as 1 out of every 3 people who have a heart attack report feelings of depression. Women, people who have had depression before, and people who feel alone and without social or emotional support are at a higher risk of depression after a heart attack.
If you have major depression and have had a heart attack, you’re at a much higher risk to die of a heart attack. Although this is very sobering, you need to know the facts. We know that chemicals in our brain are not in proper balance when depressed. When people suffer from depression, they are not as likely to take care of themselves properly. People don’t eat right and commonly don’t exercise. Sleep is usually disturbed in some way, too.
Anxiety increases heart patients’ likelihood of suffering a heart attack, stroke or heart failure. The link between anxiety and such events can’t be explained by health behaviors like smoking, severity of disease or biological factors such as hormone levels or heart rate.
So if you have depression and heart disease, pay extra attention to your physical and mental health. Don’t put off asking for help. You and your body deserve it!
Tags: Depression, Heart Attack, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Severe Depression
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Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
Pregnancy is a joyous occasion. Pregnancy, though, does not protect women from experiencing mild to severe depression. Medication and/or therapy may be recommended.
Treating depression is always important and it can be successfully treated during and after pregnancy. Some antidepressant/anti anxiety medications can be used safely throughout pregnancy and breast feeding.
A drug free way of treating depression during pregnancy is by using a light therapy box. Bright light therapy is as effective as the antidepressants in depression cure in pregnant women. Bright light therapy has yielded favorable results for curing depression in pregnancy. It also is quite safe as it does not have any side effects. It requires a patient to sit in front of a box for about 30 minutes a day, depending on the patient.
Here are some findings from research on pregnancy and depression:
- Babies born to moms with depression have an increased risk for irritability, less activity and attentiveness and fewer facial expressions.
- There are possible fetal abnormalities when mothers take antidepressants in the first trimester. But there’s not a particular pattern associated with a specific medication or class of medications.
Some specific treatment recommendations include:
- Talk to your provider early if you are planning to conceive. You can talk about the best options for you as an individual.
- Encourage the provider who will deliver your baby and your mental health provider to consult with each other on the best options for you. They will help you understand the risks and benefits of medication versus therapy, etc.
- If you are taking an antidepressant for depression, don’t discontinue or change your dose of medication on your own. This could be dangerous and your symptoms could worsen.
- Use bright light therapy as a drug free option to treat your depression during pregnancy.
- If you have severe depression and are pregnant, you should remain on medication.
Untreated depression during pregnancy has been proven to lead to higher rates of:
- Lower birth weights
- Pre-term labor (depression doubles the risk)
- Increased use of alcohol and drugs to self-medicate
Please have a candid discussion with both your psychiatrist and OB-GYN regarding the benefits, risks and side effects of all medications. If you have been diagnosed with depression and are considering pregnancy, meet with your health providers before you get pregnant. This will provide peace of mind and help to make sure that you and your baby are both as healthy as possible.
Tags: Bright light therapy, Depression, Light box, Light Therapy, Pregnancy, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Severe Depression
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Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Thousands of people die every year from this degenerating disease. Scientists are still no closer to finding a cure, even though research is being carried out daily.
The light therapy is mainly used in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease. It is well known for anybody who has been involved with a Alzheimer’s patient that they are at their best early in the mornings. This is because as the disease progresses it affects the part of the brain that controls the circadian rhythms.What the circadian rhythm does is it controls our body clock and the sleep-wake cycle in our brain.
It is common that an Alzheimer’s patient will start to become very agitated in the late afternoon and evening. This is because there eyes become affected, and as the daylight starts to disappear they find it harder to focus on things. They even find it hard to settle during the night and often wandering around the house. This is called sundowning.
The Alzheimer’s light is a helmet which has infrared lights attached to it and it fits onto the head. Scientist first carried out research with this helmet on mice, results proved that it showed great improvement in their learning ability. The mice also showed signs or less agitation at night time.
The trial was for twelve weeks and was tested on men and women between 60 and 70. Half of the participants where given one hour of exposure to bright natural light each morning. The rest where exposed to low light each day. Tests proved that the participants who where given the bright natural light, showed signs of not being as agitated during the day and settling in bed on a night a lot longer than normal.
Tests also proved that the Alzheimer’s light treatment has slowed down the deterioration of the nerve cells in the brain. Which means that an Alzheimer’s patient has been able to live a lot longer in their own home.
Although this is not a cure for alzheimer’s disease, if this treatment can give an Alzheimer’s patient a better way of light then that has got to be a positive thing. Research is still being carried out on the light therapy at the moment.
Tags: Alzheimer's Disease, Clinical Trials, Light box, Light Therapy, SAD light, SAD lights, Seasonal Affective Disorder
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Tags: Bipolar Disorder, Children, Depression, Light box, Light Therapy, SAD, SAD light, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Severe Depression, Summer SAD, Support, Teens
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Monday, June 21st, 2010
Today marks the official first day of summer, also known as the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere. Here are some activities to think about doing to get yourself outside and enjoying the sunlight:
Do some gardening, take the bike out for a spin, go for a walk with your family or pets, go for a swim, have lunch at a restaurant with an outdoor patio, get a hammock or swing, play some games outside, or have friends over and grill. Celebrate that it is summertime and enjoy the sunlight.
Daylight brought indoors has been shown to improve productivity, enhance health and wellness, and reduce overall energy costs. Pure natural daylight makes colors more vivid, reduces eye strain, and, according to studies, the variation in solar light levels throughout the course of a day helps cure Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Tags: Depression, Light box, Light Therapy, SAD, SAD light, SAD lights, Seasonal Affective Disorder
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Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Vitamins B12
Vitamins B6 and B12 affect and help regulate your mood, and might help alleviate SAD. A Finnish study reports vitamin B12 helps reduce depression.
Vitamins B6 and B12
Vitamins B6 and B12 promote healthy blood cells, and help regulate the nervous system. They affect mood and brain functioning.
The B Vitamins and SAD
Vitamins B6 and B12 promote dopamine production, one of the body’s neurotransmitters responsible for pleasure. If a person does not have adequate amounts of these vitamins, he might experience lethargy, a lack of concentration, anxiety and other symptoms similar to SAD.
Food Sources of Vitamins B6 and B12
Food sources include fish, meat, chicken, cheese, milk, eggs and fortified cereals. Vegetarians should consider a supplement.
Daily Requirements
Eat 1.3 to 1.7 mg of vitamin B6 per day. Eat 2.4 mcg of vitamin B12 per day.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/32354-b-vitamin-seasonal-affective/#ixzz0r8XdhwsA
Tags: Depression, SAD, SAD light, SAD lights, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Severe Depression, Summer SAD, Vitamin B
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