Seasonal Affective disorder (SAD) is a condition that occurs in over 60% of Americans. It is commonly referred to as seasonal depression because it tends to occur during certain months of the year - most commonly during the winter hence the term "Winter Blues". With seasonal depression you may experience some of the following symptoms:
fatigue, weight fluctuations, irritability, conflicts with others, lack of motivation, cravings for carbohydrates, and difficulty concentrating.
If you are ready to say goodbye to your symptoms of SAD, try applying some of these tips to your daily lifestyle
1. Sun lamp
A lack of sunlight and brightness outside is the main cause of "gloominess" for many of those with SAD. Try buying a sun lamp in order to bring more light into your life and boost your mood. You may find yourself feeling more energetic!
2. Eat well
In order to improve your energy levels, try to cut back on caffeine and white flour. You will find that you enjoy a more natural energy boost from a better diet when you quit your coffee drinking and snacking habits. In addition, eating healthy means that your body is getting all of the essential vitamins and minerals it requires. Pick up some vitamin supplements if your eating habits aren't great - Vitamin B6 and B12 are natural antidepressants.
3. Take a breather
Clear fresh oxygen is crucial for stabilizing mood. Try taking a quick 15 minute daily walk in order to boost your mood - bundle up so you don't freeze in the cold weather!
4. Stress Management
Learn to control your stress levels in a meditative and relaxing way. Wind down at the end of a long day doing something you enjoy such as reading, exercising, watching TV or taking a bath
5. Exercise
Exercise is important for physical health - but it is just as important for mental health. When we exercise our bodies release endorphins which are hormones that affect our mood in a positive way. The more you exercise, the happier you will feel!
Amino Acids - Amino acids are essential for the body to make neurotransmitters which send signals to the brain and affect your mood. Some amino acids make serotonin which is a feel good chemical.
Foods with Amino Acids: Turkey, cheese, fish, almonds, chicken, avocadoes, bananas and beans
Vitamin B6 & B12 - These vitamins also help the body make neurotransmitters. If the body does not receive enough vitamin B, serotonin levels will drop. Vitamin B12 helps make SAM-e. Some studies have shown that when levels of SAM-e drop, symptoms of depression become noticeable.
Magnesium - those who suffer from depression usually have lower magnesium levels. Magnesium is crucial for the formation of serotonin and other neurotransmitters. Magnesium treatment may also help anxiety and insomnia problems associated with depression.
Foods with Magnesium: oat bran, halibut, spinach, barley, beans, and artichokes. Taking an Epsom salt bath will also increase magnesium levels.
Omega 3 - Omega 3 boosts oxygen levels in the blood increasing the body's ability to convert amino acids into neurotransmitters. Studies have found that those with a lack of Omega 3 acids have less of a capability to send feel-good chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and nor epinephrine to the brain.
Foods with Omega 3: salmon, sardines, tuna, flax seeds, and walnuts.
Most students when they move to go live in dorms at University start getting less and less sleep. Obviously this is a very large problem for many students, not just for grades, but for their health too.
Student life on campus can be very hectic, very busy, and very fun. All of this is true, but you have to learn how to balance. Sleep deprivation is a very troubling problem almost all students living on campus face. Sleep deprivation can make students more likely to develop depression, become very irritable, and worsen existing conditions such as diabetes, chronic fatigue and even asthma.
Many of the students start to see a drop in marks. This can be attributed partially due to the higher expectations, but zoning out during class, and being too worn out to study can play a big part. Students should try to go to sleep before midnight whenever they have class the next morning. If they want to stay up and party, they should try and plan it when they have a day off after a night of partying.
Some of the kids, well maybe not kids anymore, but adults now, actually start skipping class because of their need for sleep. This will show a significant drop in grades at the least. Most that continue to skip class will see themselves getting set up for a failing grade in their course.
University students need to remember there really isn't an alternative to sleep, and adequate sleep is one of the most important things. Bring ear plugs if you must, but go to bed early, or at least earlier.
Depression is an illness that is plaguing more and more people each year, even I can say that I have a few friends and loved ones that suffer from depression. Depression can be caused by many different things. You could have lost your job, had an argument with someone, broken up with your significant other, had a family member pass away. Many people describe depression as a black curtain falling over everything, leaving them without energy and making it difficult to concentrate, or causing the person to become quite irritable. Yet, many people do not seek help when they need it, even though treatment is proven to help.
In a blog I was reading earlier today I stumbled upon a woman named Susan, at http://his-hers.ozzieblackcat.com who described in a blog called "Impersonal and Disconnected" about some of the things that trigger her depression, and things that help her get through depression. Susan says, "When I feel disconnected from someone I love then I feel sad and sometimes depressed... I hope you let those you love know how much they mean to you. Try to interact on a personal level so they don't feel disconnected. If you are fortunate, those you love will be making these efforts toward you as well."
I found this quite moving due to the fact that most people take anti-depressants, or seek therapy, but this women simply asks for the love and support of those she loves. Now don’t get me wrong, I am in no way smashing anti-depressants or therapy because they definitely do help with depression, but if people suffering from depression could focus on the love they receive from someone like a parent, sibling, friend, or anyone else, perhaps more people would be able to conquer their own depression.
Desyrel (Trazodone) is an antidepressant medication used to treat depression. It affects brain chemicals that may become unbalanced causing depression. Desyrel works by preventing this re-absorption of serotonin back into the nerve cells.
Before using Desyrel, tell your doctor if you are allergic to Desyrel or to any other drugs, you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding a baby during treatment. Tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals and herbal products that you currently use.
Tell your doctor if you are/have:
Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
Schizophrenia or other psychiatric illness
A history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts
If you have recently had a heart attack
Precautions to be taken:
Desyrel works best if you take it after a meal or a snack.
You may have thoughts of suicide when you first start taking an antidepressant, if you are younger than 24 years old.
Your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Desyrel.
Stop taking Desyrel if you have a penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer. This is a medical emergency and could lead to a serious condition that must be corrected with surgery.
Desyrel can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Desyrel. Alcohol can increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by Desyrel.
How is Desyrel taken?
Follow the instruction of your doctor or the medication bottle label/pamphlet as prescribed to you. Your doctor may change the dosage to give you the best result. Take Desyrel after a meal or snack. Do not take Desyrel in large amounts. Do not take medication longer than suggested by your doctor.
Side effects of Desyrel
Serious side effects:
Feeling light-headed, fainting
Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
Chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling
Problems with urination
Less serious side effects:
Dizziness or drowsiness
Headache
Sleep problems (insomnia)
Dry mouth, stuffy nose
Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
Diarrhea or constipation
Muscle pain
Loss of coordination
Blurred vision
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Seasonal Affective disorder (SAD) is a condition that occurs in over 60% of Americans. It is commonly referred to as seasonal depression because it tends to occur during certain months of the year - most commonly during the winter hence the term "Winter Blues". With seasonal depression you may experience some of the following symptoms:
