Tag Archive for “Seasonal Affective Disorder”

SAD Treatments- Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Admin | 04/29/2012 | No comments

SAD Treatment- Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder

 

Medication – Antidepressants for SAD Treatments

Antidepressants can be used as part of SAD treatments or treatment for  seasonal affective disorder. Prescription antidepressants are often used in conjunction with light therapy, if light therapy alone is not effective enough to improve depression.

Bupropion, which is prescribed as Wellbutrin, is one of the more effective antidepressants for Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD. Unlike other antidepressants, Wellbutrin does not tend to cause weight gain or have sexual side affects according to several studies in treating depression.  It can in fact aid in weight loss and even increase libido as part of SAD treatments or treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Medication can be used in conjunction with other SAD treatments such as light therapy, vitamins and exercise.  You will need to discuss this depression treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder in detail with a qualified physician as there are some risks and side effects with prescription medication.

Vitamins D Deficiency Depression                 SAD Treatments

 

Vitamin D deficiency is directly linked to SAD depression and should be part of SAD treatments. Fish and egg yolks have vitamin d in notable quantities, and milk is usually fortified with it but it is often not enough to meet your daily requirement. Chances are if you think you may have seasonal affective disorder you probably have a vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin. Your body manufactures it with sunlight from the cholesterol in your body. Between 1000 to 3000 IUs of vitamin D are recommended by most doctors. Bloodwork can be done by your doctor to test to check for vitamin d deficiency as part of your SAD treatments.

Vitamins can be effective in liquid form and there is a new multivitamin liquid drink that contains the vitamins mentioned here and more.  For more info on this http://whatis.vemma.com

 

SAD Treatments Vitamin Deficiency Depression

 

Vitamin B12 deficiency and depression have been studied and linked. Vitamin B12 deficiency along with low levels of other essential B vitamins such as B6 play a role in producing the brain chemicals needed that affect mood and other brain functions.  Supplementing for vitamin b12 deficiency should be part of SAD treatments or treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Essential Fatty Acids are important part of any healthy diet. The American Heart Association generally recommends that people eat a well balanced diet rather than take supplements, however because of their importance they do advocate for Omega 3 fatty acid supplements.

Either Omega 3, fish oil or flaxseed supplements are considered essential fatty acids and will also be beneficial as part of SAD treatments or treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Natural Alternatives to Antidepressants for SAD Treatments – Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder

5 HTP is known to help with many issues that low serotonin cause including depression. It is an amino acid that the body needs in order to create serotonin. It has been know to also help curb appetite and help with cravings as part of SAD treatments!

By taking 5HTP as part of your SAD treatments you are providing the raw material or building blocks for your body to create it’s own serotonin naturally. 5 HTP can tried in lieu of an antidepressant to boost mood naturally as part of SAD treatments or treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Saint John’s Wort has also been known to help alleviate depression symptoms. “Saint John’s Wort acts in the same way as Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors do, but less harshly” according to “Prescription for Nutritional Healing”. They caution not to use the herb if you are taking prescription antidepressants or are pregnant.

Take either 5 HTP or Saint John’s Wort. You shouldn’t need both as part of SAD treatments or treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

SAD Treatments - Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD

SAD Treatments - Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD


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SAD Children- Seasonal Affective Disorder in Children

Admin | 04/26/2012 | No comments


SAD Children

SAD Children – Children Can Have Seasonal Affective Disorder

 

Although it is not easily diagnosed in children, many adults who have Seasonal Affective Disorder can trace their symptoms back to childhood and being sad children.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is commonly known as “winter depression”. It is in fact a form of depression with symptoms that typically onset in the fall or early winter and then diminish in the spring.

It is characterized by changes in mood, sleeping and eating patterns, and activity level. Adults with Seasonal Affective Disorder and SAD children often have difficulty concentrating in the winter months and lose interest in activities they generally enjoy.

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SAD Children – Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder in Children

 

Mood Swings and Irritability in SAD Children

All kids can be moody, irritable or sad children from time to time, but for children with Seasonal Affective disorder there is a distinct pattern of these behaviors developing and continuing in the fall and winter months. Temper tantrums, crankiness and obvious lack of energy can be clues that a child is struggling with Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Changes in Sleep Pattern in SAD Children
In adults SAD suffers are generally tired and tend to oversleep. In sad children the sleep disturbances can manifest slightly differently such as with frequent night wakings and difficulty falling asleep. This can be a very frustrating battle for parents.

Liquid melatonin has been proven to be an effective and natural solution to helping both SAD children and adults with sleep issues. Since it is a naturally occurring hormone in the body, no dependence or side effects are typically reported.  The amount of melatonin one produces in their body is linked to the amount of light a person is exposed to, which explains why it is helpful for SAD children and adults with Seasonal Affective Disorder.  It is amazing what a good nights sleep will do for any child or adult as well!

Problems in School for SAD Children
Children with SAD often have problems in school due to their symptoms. Difficulty concentrating and lethargy may impede a child’s ability to complete their necessary tasks. It is often a teacher who will notice difficulties with a child, but not necessarily recognized the seasonal pattern.

Diet and Cravings
People struggling with depression often turn to food to try and compensate their chemical imbalance. In essence, people with SAD are trying to “self medicate” by eating increased amounts of sugar and carbohydrates. SAD children are no exception and can crave sweets, starchy foods and other carbohydrates.

Diagnosing SAD Children
Because SAD symptoms generally start in the late fall they literally mimic they school calendar year. This can create some confusion for doctors and difficulty in obtaining an accurate diagnosis of SAD if the seasonal pattern is not noticed.
There is often a hereditary link with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Knowing that a parent, sibling or other close relative has SAD can prove valuable knowledge for your pediatrician.

SAD Children - Seasonal Affective Disorder in Children

SAD Children - Seasonal Affective Disorder in Children


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Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms – SAD Symptoms

Admin | 04/07/2012 | No comments

Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms SAD Symptoms

 

Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms or SAD symptoms are often overlooked or goes undiagnosed. It is important to discuss the seasonality of the depression with your doctor to assist in an accurate diagnosis. Typically these SAD symptoms appear in the winter and then diminish in the spring. Each person may exhibit different symptoms, but experience a seasonal pattern of depression.

 

Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms            or SAD Symptoms may include:

 

Irritability and Mood Swings

Decreased energy

Weight gain

Fatigue and a tendency to oversleep

*Sleep disturbances and night wakings are what are common in children with SAD

A change in appetite, including increased cravings for sweet and starchy foods

Difficulty concentrating

*Problems in school for children with SAD

Avoidance of social situations and lack of interest in formerly enjoyable activities

Lack of interest in sex

Using food, caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol or drugs to try and self-medicate is very common. In essence the person is trying to correct the underlying chemical imbalances in their brain to feel better.

These behaviors do provide a slight chemical boost, which is why it is difficult to break these habits even though they are not healthy behaviors. For example cigarettes, affect dopamine a neurotransmitter in the brain that stimulates the brain’s pleasure centers. If you a feeling depressed due to a chemical imbalance, it only makes sense that you would be drawn to a behavior that increases that brain chemical even if it is unhealthy.

Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms Sad Symptoms

Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms SAD Symptoms

Fall & Winter Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms or SAD Symptoms:

Drop out of college

End a relationship

Quit a diet / exercise routine

Eat excessively or poorly

Quit or be fired from their job

Drink alcohol in excess

Begin smoking again

Likewise in the spring it is typical to see remission of these Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms. Some people with SAD even become hyper or manic.

Spring & Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms SAD Symptoms:

Start a new diet / exercise routine

Start a new job

Start a new hobby

Fall in love

Become more sexually active

Become very creative

It can of take people years to realize the seasonal pattern of their depression. Since everyone has bad days or time periods in their life, they may not make the connection between having Seasonal Affective Disorder and their symptoms and behaviors. When looking back over a time period, it may be easier to see the pattern from behavior.

This a list of common Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms or SAD symptoms.  Each person is unique and could have any combination of one or more of these symptoms as well as others that may not be on this list. Children with Seasonal Affective Disorder may exhibit different symptoms entirely.

Please consult your doctor for medical advice as this information is not a substitute for medical advice.  Depression is a serious condition requiring proper medical care.

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Seasonal Affective Disorder – What is Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD?

Admin | 04/06/2012 | One comment


Seasonal Affective Disorder – What is Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD?

 

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Seasonal Affective Disorder, or what is also known as SAD, is a type of depression which follows a seasonal pattern.  The depression symptoms occur around the same time every year, typically in the fall or winter months and then subside in the spring.  It is also what is commonly referred to as the “winter blues” or “winter depression.”

The personalities and behaviors of people suffering from SAD transition with the seasons.  They tend to be moody, tired and depressed during the winter and happy when the sun becomes stronger in the warmer months. Spring and summer often bring about a renewed quality of life and some SAD suffers tend to become manic or hyper during this time of year.  The seasonal pattern or trend of depression is what differentiates SAD from other types of depression.

Seasonal Affective Disorder affects various types of people, but is more it is more common in northern geographic regions due to the shorter days and lack of sunlight during the winter months.  There is often a genetic link meaning that it has a tendency to run in families.  SAD suffers can often recall having seasonal depression symptoms back to when they were children.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians an estimated 6% of the population suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder.  It is estimated that an additional 10% to 20% have a milder version, or what is commonly called the winter blues.

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Seasonal Affective Disorder Definition

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a recognized medical condition by the American Psychiatric Association and is recorded in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV).

It is not listed as its own separate mood disorder, but rather defined as a “specifier” or type of classification, of major depression in the DSM IV.  To be diagnosed as having SAD, one must first meet the definition of having depression and then the seasonal pattern is factored in.

A doctor diagnosing SAD would look for a pattern of having the depressive symptoms onset during a specific time of year and then for a full remission at a later time of year. A pattern of this for at least two years, would indicate meet the clinical definition of having Seasonal Affective Disorder.

What is Seasaonal Affective Disorder SAD

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD?

 

Seasonal Affective Disorder is also what is known as SAD

A medical dictionary sponsored by Merriam-Webster lists the definition of Seasonal Affective Disorder as “depression that tends to recur as the days grow shorter during the fall and winter- abbreviation SAD.

Perhaps the best definition of Seasonal Affective Disorder would be from someone living with the condition who would define it by saying the “shortage of sunlight is slowly suffocating my soul.”

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