Archive for the ‘Mental Health’ Category
Seasonal Affective Disorder (sad) ? Try Light Therapy
Robert William Locke asked:
Thousands of people every year go into a sort of depression, once fall comes. This is called SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Thousands more suffer from jet lag which is the curse of modern day travel. These two problems are closely related in that their causes are similar. There is one solution for both problems and that is the use of light therapy.
How can a light therapy lamp help in getting over jet lag or indeed in help a person to overcome SAD? As the days get shorter and shorter as winter approaches, the SAD sufferer will go into a sort of depression because s/he needs light. When there is snow, people tend to suffer less from SAD as there is so much more light.
The precise cause of seasonal affective disorder isn’t known, but genetics and your age may be factors. In fact most sufferers are women around the age of thirty but it can strike anybody in the age range 15 -55.The general recommendation for most people with seasonal affective disorder is to begin treatment with light therapy in the early fall, as soon as the earliest symptoms start. Light therapy in seasonal affective disorder is independent of time of day or circadian phase.
Sunlight and natural light are essential to our natural biological rhythms. Once there is a change in these rhythms, then our bodies have difficulty in adjusting. Shorter days and long haul flights upset our natural clocks. Table-lamps are ideal at twilight when the light begins to fade.
If your doctor suggests you try light therapy, you may use a specially made light box, or a light visor that you wear on your head like a cap. Generally, light therapy takes about 30 minutes each day throughout the fall and winter, when you’re most likely to be depressed. If light therapy helps you, you’ll continue using it until enough sunlight is available, typically in the springtime.
How many times has a holiday or a business appointment been ruined by jet lag ? It can last for days after arrival. Every time we cross a few time zones quickly, then we are likely to suffer from this condition. It can have negative effects on your judgement in a business deal and can also make you feel even more depressed when you are trying to get used to your normal routine, once back at home.
Your body clock will not be able to keep with the plane as it crosses several time zones very quickly so it will end up out of sync with the destination time. In addition changes to night and daytime come very quickly and the rhythms which normally decide our eating and sleeping routine are all out of gear. In addition, the rhythm of our body temperature will be skewed as well.
The best way to recover from jet lag and a SAD, is to invest in a sad light box or table lamp. No faddy anti-jet lag diets which you have to start way before the journey and continue afterwards. Some people take sleeping pills which can lead to fatal blood clots. Melatonin has been known to be effective. But the best, most natural way is the sad table lamp.
Thousands of people every year go into a sort of depression, once fall comes. This is called SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Thousands more suffer from jet lag which is the curse of modern day travel. These two problems are closely related in that their causes are similar. There is one solution for both problems and that is the use of light therapy.
How can a light therapy lamp help in getting over jet lag or indeed in help a person to overcome SAD? As the days get shorter and shorter as winter approaches, the SAD sufferer will go into a sort of depression because s/he needs light. When there is snow, people tend to suffer less from SAD as there is so much more light.
The precise cause of seasonal affective disorder isn’t known, but genetics and your age may be factors. In fact most sufferers are women around the age of thirty but it can strike anybody in the age range 15 -55.The general recommendation for most people with seasonal affective disorder is to begin treatment with light therapy in the early fall, as soon as the earliest symptoms start. Light therapy in seasonal affective disorder is independent of time of day or circadian phase.
Sunlight and natural light are essential to our natural biological rhythms. Once there is a change in these rhythms, then our bodies have difficulty in adjusting. Shorter days and long haul flights upset our natural clocks. Table-lamps are ideal at twilight when the light begins to fade.
If your doctor suggests you try light therapy, you may use a specially made light box, or a light visor that you wear on your head like a cap. Generally, light therapy takes about 30 minutes each day throughout the fall and winter, when you’re most likely to be depressed. If light therapy helps you, you’ll continue using it until enough sunlight is available, typically in the springtime.
How many times has a holiday or a business appointment been ruined by jet lag ? It can last for days after arrival. Every time we cross a few time zones quickly, then we are likely to suffer from this condition. It can have negative effects on your judgement in a business deal and can also make you feel even more depressed when you are trying to get used to your normal routine, once back at home.
Your body clock will not be able to keep with the plane as it crosses several time zones very quickly so it will end up out of sync with the destination time. In addition changes to night and daytime come very quickly and the rhythms which normally decide our eating and sleeping routine are all out of gear. In addition, the rhythm of our body temperature will be skewed as well.
The best way to recover from jet lag and a SAD, is to invest in a sad light box or table lamp. No faddy anti-jet lag diets which you have to start way before the journey and continue afterwards. Some people take sleeping pills which can lead to fatal blood clots. Melatonin has been known to be effective. But the best, most natural way is the sad table lamp.
Can Natural Daylight Help Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder
Neil Hale asked:
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) ?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) also known as winter depression affects around 2 million British citizens each year. Symptoms are most common in people aged between 18-30 years old. It is thought that twice as many women are affected than men, but this could be explained by the fact that men are less likely to admit to being depressed.
Sufferers usually experience no mental health problems throughout most of the year, but tend to develop depressive symptoms during the winter months. It is common that symptoms occur amongst sufferers between September and April each year with symptoms at their worst in December, January and February.
Symptoms of SAD
The symptoms of SAD vary between different people. A small percentage of SAD sufferers struggle to cope during the winter without continuous treatment. However for the majority of SAD sufferers, symptoms tend to be less intense and last for shorter periods of time.
The most common symptoms of SAD (of which many are associated with general depression) include:
General Depression - feeling glooming Mood Swings Social Withdrawal - not wanting to see people Anxiety - Inability to cope Lethargy / Tiredness - no energy for everyday tasks Sleep Problems - oversleeping and not wanting to get out of bed Overeating - cravings for carbohydrates, leading to weight gain Frequent Illness - due to a weakened immune system Difficulty concentrating or making decisions Loss of libido
What Causes SAD
The exact cause of SAD is still unknown. However most theories centre on light deficiency during the winter months due to the shortening of daylight hours and a lack of sunshine.
Light helps to trigger messages to a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which helps to control mood, sleep and appetite. A lack of exposure to light and problems with certain brain chemicals is thought to prevent the hypothalamus from functioning properly.
It is common for SAD sufferers to have lower levels of a brain chemical called Serotonin. Serotonin helps to transmit messages from nerve cells to the brain and has a role in "lifting the mood". It is thought that the development of Serotonin is affected by exposure to sunlight and therefore a lack of exposure to sunlight will mean that less Serotonin will be produced.
SAD sufferers are likely to respond to a decrease in light by producing more of a chemical called Melatonin during winter than non SAD Sufferers. Melatonin helps to slow down the body clock, affects sleep and alters mood patterns. When sufferers are treated with bright light, their Melatonin levels tend to return to normal. However using light therapy to affect Melatonin levels will not completely cure SAD.
Diagnosis of SAD
A GP will be able to advise you whether the symptoms present, are being caused by SAD. SAD is difficult to diagnose as the symptoms of the condition are very similar to those of other types of depression and other mental health conditions.
One occurrence of the aforementioned symptoms does not automatically mean that you have SAD.
Diagnosis will usually take place when the symptoms have been experienced during the same months (usually winter), followed by the symptoms clearing in the following months (spring), over a period of two or more consecutive years.
Treatment For SAD
Research in recent years has shown that SAD sufferers have responded dramatically to "light therapy". By exposing SAD sufferers to summertime levels of daylight during the winter, it is possible to reduce the negative symptoms of SAD. Research has shown that light therapy works in around 80% of people, and an improvement in symptoms can be achieved in as little as 3 to 5 days.
Light therapy (also known as photo therapy) involves exposure to very bright light for extended periods each day. The aim of light therapy is to stimulate a change in the brain chemicals and hormones that affect the mood.
Light boxes are ideal source for light therapy. A light box gives out a light that is up to 10 times stronger than normal light. The necessary length of exposure depends on the strength of the light box and the recommended daily dose of light for SAD sufferers is 5,000 lux.
Although light boxes are the ultimate source of light for SAD sufferers, functional Daylight Lamps and Daylight Bulbs can also be purchased to enable the user to read, colour match and conduct fine detailed work, whilst exposing the user to increased levels of natural daylight during the darker winter months. This exposure can help to alleviate some of the symptoms of SAD whilst you are working.
Before conducting any light therapy, it is advised that you visit your GP in order to decide which form of light therapy will be best for you.
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) ?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) also known as winter depression affects around 2 million British citizens each year. Symptoms are most common in people aged between 18-30 years old. It is thought that twice as many women are affected than men, but this could be explained by the fact that men are less likely to admit to being depressed.
Sufferers usually experience no mental health problems throughout most of the year, but tend to develop depressive symptoms during the winter months. It is common that symptoms occur amongst sufferers between September and April each year with symptoms at their worst in December, January and February.
Symptoms of SAD
The symptoms of SAD vary between different people. A small percentage of SAD sufferers struggle to cope during the winter without continuous treatment. However for the majority of SAD sufferers, symptoms tend to be less intense and last for shorter periods of time.
The most common symptoms of SAD (of which many are associated with general depression) include:
General Depression - feeling glooming Mood Swings Social Withdrawal - not wanting to see people Anxiety - Inability to cope Lethargy / Tiredness - no energy for everyday tasks Sleep Problems - oversleeping and not wanting to get out of bed Overeating - cravings for carbohydrates, leading to weight gain Frequent Illness - due to a weakened immune system Difficulty concentrating or making decisions Loss of libido
What Causes SAD
The exact cause of SAD is still unknown. However most theories centre on light deficiency during the winter months due to the shortening of daylight hours and a lack of sunshine.
Light helps to trigger messages to a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which helps to control mood, sleep and appetite. A lack of exposure to light and problems with certain brain chemicals is thought to prevent the hypothalamus from functioning properly.
It is common for SAD sufferers to have lower levels of a brain chemical called Serotonin. Serotonin helps to transmit messages from nerve cells to the brain and has a role in "lifting the mood". It is thought that the development of Serotonin is affected by exposure to sunlight and therefore a lack of exposure to sunlight will mean that less Serotonin will be produced.
SAD sufferers are likely to respond to a decrease in light by producing more of a chemical called Melatonin during winter than non SAD Sufferers. Melatonin helps to slow down the body clock, affects sleep and alters mood patterns. When sufferers are treated with bright light, their Melatonin levels tend to return to normal. However using light therapy to affect Melatonin levels will not completely cure SAD.
Diagnosis of SAD
A GP will be able to advise you whether the symptoms present, are being caused by SAD. SAD is difficult to diagnose as the symptoms of the condition are very similar to those of other types of depression and other mental health conditions.
One occurrence of the aforementioned symptoms does not automatically mean that you have SAD.
Diagnosis will usually take place when the symptoms have been experienced during the same months (usually winter), followed by the symptoms clearing in the following months (spring), over a period of two or more consecutive years.
Treatment For SAD
Research in recent years has shown that SAD sufferers have responded dramatically to "light therapy". By exposing SAD sufferers to summertime levels of daylight during the winter, it is possible to reduce the negative symptoms of SAD. Research has shown that light therapy works in around 80% of people, and an improvement in symptoms can be achieved in as little as 3 to 5 days.
Light therapy (also known as photo therapy) involves exposure to very bright light for extended periods each day. The aim of light therapy is to stimulate a change in the brain chemicals and hormones that affect the mood.
Light boxes are ideal source for light therapy. A light box gives out a light that is up to 10 times stronger than normal light. The necessary length of exposure depends on the strength of the light box and the recommended daily dose of light for SAD sufferers is 5,000 lux.
Although light boxes are the ultimate source of light for SAD sufferers, functional Daylight Lamps and Daylight Bulbs can also be purchased to enable the user to read, colour match and conduct fine detailed work, whilst exposing the user to increased levels of natural daylight during the darker winter months. This exposure can help to alleviate some of the symptoms of SAD whilst you are working.
Before conducting any light therapy, it is advised that you visit your GP in order to decide which form of light therapy will be best for you.
13 Bipolar Affective Disorder Triggers - 4 Treatment Plans
Abhishek Agarwal asked:
Manic Depressive is now known as Bipolar Affective Disorder, a mood disorder of which there are millions of sufferers. It is natural for people to have mood swings, but in this disorder moods go beyond what is normal. Sufferers experience extremes of low depression and high moods of elation or mania, and the frequencey varies from person to person.
Experts seem to think that the causes of Bipolar Disorder is through genetics or hormone levels, but this hasn’t yet been fully established. In some cases acquired illnesses in a person have contributed to them getting a Bipolar Disorder.
In our daily lives, we all experience different events that give us emotions, some of which can at times, trigger mood swings. Having to cope with happy, joyful moments and then unpleasant, sad times can threaten to cause depression or a manic episode.
These triggers are also know as Stressors, which can cause mood swings. The following are examples:
1 No regular sleep
2 Alcohol or drug abuse
3 Stopping medication
4 Starting medication or herbal products for depression
5 Medical conditions such as thyroid problems
6 Changes in the seasons
7 Illness
8 Holidays
9 Having disagreements with family or friends
10 Problems at work
11 Death of a loved one, family or friend
12 Marital strife
13 Start of a new job or course
Once you have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, you will begin to recognise what triggers it. Devising your own mood chart or keeping a diary will help as you record all the events that have happened and how you felt about them. Certain patterns will emerge after some time which will help you find the triggers, and for each person it can be different.
Having help at hand to make your mood chart can be difficult. Enlist the aid of a trusted friend or member of the family. If you prefer, talk to a therapist or other healthcare provider; you can get their views and understand what they see. This can help you pick up on things that you may not have noticed.
By working out what triggers your mood swings, you can plan how best to avoid these situations. It will require some effort to get rid of bad habits, so help make your family and friends aware of your struggles, especially those who are strong enough to help you muddle through, and those who understand you better.
Some people can go through years without being diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder. Many do not seek professional help, as laboratory tests do not needed to be carried out, as for other illnesses. The MDQ is what a medical provider uses, which is a questionnaire specially utilised for Bipolar disorders. The person conducting the questionnaire has a checklist to fill on all the symptoms that a person may exhibit. Only a medical professional can use this to give the correct diagnosis, and nobody else.
Bipolar Affective Disorder can be treated with many different medicines available, which are:
1 Antidepressants - Used alone can trigger a mania episode if a person is having a depressive episode, or it can be used with a mood stabiliser.
2 Antipsychotic - For people going through mania episodes; depressive episodes or severe mania can end in psychosis, for which an antipsychotic can help with. Can be used alone or prescribed with other medications if a person has trouble sleeping or feels nervous.
3 ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) - A treatment rather than a medication to help those who suffer from severe depression or from mania episodes. This therapy can also be given to those who do not respond to medications.
4 Mood Stabilisers - Medicine which can ease or delay depression and to relieve mania episodes.
ECT is only used as a therapy to help those who have acute depressive and manic symtoms. It is effective at reducing mood instability and cycling, and also helps to mimimise bipolar symptoms and side effects from given treatments. A bipolar patient can resume a normal life with a good management plan.
Bipolar Affective Disorder affects the individual as well as their families, but we all need to remember that with good proper treatment and medications, the disorder can be stabilised and controlled. Seek medical advice now.
Manic Depressive is now known as Bipolar Affective Disorder, a mood disorder of which there are millions of sufferers. It is natural for people to have mood swings, but in this disorder moods go beyond what is normal. Sufferers experience extremes of low depression and high moods of elation or mania, and the frequencey varies from person to person.
Experts seem to think that the causes of Bipolar Disorder is through genetics or hormone levels, but this hasn’t yet been fully established. In some cases acquired illnesses in a person have contributed to them getting a Bipolar Disorder.
In our daily lives, we all experience different events that give us emotions, some of which can at times, trigger mood swings. Having to cope with happy, joyful moments and then unpleasant, sad times can threaten to cause depression or a manic episode.
These triggers are also know as Stressors, which can cause mood swings. The following are examples:
1 No regular sleep
2 Alcohol or drug abuse
3 Stopping medication
4 Starting medication or herbal products for depression
5 Medical conditions such as thyroid problems
6 Changes in the seasons
7 Illness
8 Holidays
9 Having disagreements with family or friends
10 Problems at work
11 Death of a loved one, family or friend
12 Marital strife
13 Start of a new job or course
Once you have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, you will begin to recognise what triggers it. Devising your own mood chart or keeping a diary will help as you record all the events that have happened and how you felt about them. Certain patterns will emerge after some time which will help you find the triggers, and for each person it can be different.
Having help at hand to make your mood chart can be difficult. Enlist the aid of a trusted friend or member of the family. If you prefer, talk to a therapist or other healthcare provider; you can get their views and understand what they see. This can help you pick up on things that you may not have noticed.
By working out what triggers your mood swings, you can plan how best to avoid these situations. It will require some effort to get rid of bad habits, so help make your family and friends aware of your struggles, especially those who are strong enough to help you muddle through, and those who understand you better.
Some people can go through years without being diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder. Many do not seek professional help, as laboratory tests do not needed to be carried out, as for other illnesses. The MDQ is what a medical provider uses, which is a questionnaire specially utilised for Bipolar disorders. The person conducting the questionnaire has a checklist to fill on all the symptoms that a person may exhibit. Only a medical professional can use this to give the correct diagnosis, and nobody else.
Bipolar Affective Disorder can be treated with many different medicines available, which are:
1 Antidepressants - Used alone can trigger a mania episode if a person is having a depressive episode, or it can be used with a mood stabiliser.
2 Antipsychotic - For people going through mania episodes; depressive episodes or severe mania can end in psychosis, for which an antipsychotic can help with. Can be used alone or prescribed with other medications if a person has trouble sleeping or feels nervous.
3 ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) - A treatment rather than a medication to help those who suffer from severe depression or from mania episodes. This therapy can also be given to those who do not respond to medications.
4 Mood Stabilisers - Medicine which can ease or delay depression and to relieve mania episodes.
ECT is only used as a therapy to help those who have acute depressive and manic symtoms. It is effective at reducing mood instability and cycling, and also helps to mimimise bipolar symptoms and side effects from given treatments. A bipolar patient can resume a normal life with a good management plan.
Bipolar Affective Disorder affects the individual as well as their families, but we all need to remember that with good proper treatment and medications, the disorder can be stabilised and controlled. Seek medical advice now.