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Ultra Low Dose Enzyme Activated
Immunotherapy (LDA)
Post Traumatic Environmental Stress Disorder
Peace of
Mind: Holistic Approaches to Anxiety and ADD
(on "New Life
Journal" Website)
Bipolar Disorder Can Be Treated With Medication
and Naturally
ALLERGY REDUCTION:
Improving Mood and Energy
Hidden Factors Behind Your
Persistent Illness
Adult
ADD:
To Medicate or Go Natural
Cancer
–
Finding Your Best Advisor
Overweight - The Risk and the Remedy
Loss
of Sexual Interest
Approaches in Helping Bipolar Sufferers
Help
for Panic and Anxiety Sufferer
Seasonal
Affective Disorder: The Winter Blues
Depression
Relief Speeds Health Recovery
Amino Acids
& Other Considerations in Depression Evaluation
Integrative
Medicine & Psychiatry
Blood
Pressure -
A Wake up Call
Addictions
- Breaking the Cycle
Spirituality:
The Core of
Healing in Integrative Psychiatry
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SEASONAL
AFFECTIVE DISORDER:
THE WINTER BLUES
Situational
sadness or seasonal fatigue is a common complaint during colder
weather and shorter days with less sunlight. Healthy activities
will help these milder and transient symptoms: getting up
at a set time each morning, exercising, exposure to bright
light, and improving nutrition.
A more severe mood disturbance, which is a subtype of major
depression, is "seasonal affective disorder" (SAD).
Not recognizing SAD can lead to severe debilitating symptoms.
Common signs are greater sensitivity to the lack of sunlight
in late autumn or winter and its recurrence every year for
at least two years and its resolution in spring. Symptoms
of SAD are changes in appetite (especially a craving for sweets
and carbohydrates); weight gain; drop in energy levels; reduction
in sex drive; changes in sleep patterns, especially a tendency
to oversleep and a reduction in the quality of sleep; avoidance
of social situations; decreased concentration; decreased creativity;
irritability and interpersonal conflict; inability to complete
tasks; diminished interest or pleasure in doing most activities;
and the possible occurrence of suicidal thoughts.
It is estimated that SAD affects 2 to 10 percent of the U.S.
population with an additional 10 to 20 percent experiencing
milder forms.
Ways of treating milder SAD are bright light exposure and
exercise early in the day, during the short winter days; extra
Vitamin D through supplements or bright sun light; and improving
nutrition.
Phototherapy, the use of a light box that puts out bright
light (equivalent to seeing the sun through the window on
a bright day), is one of the most effective treatments for
confirmed SAD. Light boxes for SAD therapy produce 2,500 to
10,000 lux and filter out potentially harmful ultraviolet
rays. This is done for 30 minutes at arm's length while reading,
as you don't actually stare into the light. You need to do
this in the morning for at least four days and continue through
the difficult season, if helpful. Other used but not proven
methods are using light visors, putting out less light but
worn closer to the eyes, or the use of "dawn stimulators"
that gradually turn your lights on for a set time period prior
to your actual awakening time.
Other alternatives are trying serotonin-boosting supplements,
such as 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Serotonin, a natural
chemical regulator in the brain tends to be low in people
with SAD. If light therapy doesn't work, conventional antidepressant
medications, like Prozac, Luvox, Paxil or Effexor can boost
serotonin levels.
Other factors to consider are food or environmental allergies,
chemical or toxic metal exposure, low hormone or thyroid condition,
nutritional deficiencies or problems with depression from
other causes.
Ronald
R. Parks, M.D. practices integrative medicine and psychiatry
in Asheville. For information or consultation call:
828-225-1812.
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