Sunday, August 5, 2012

The Psychologist Online And Seasonal Affective Disorder


A typical example of people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is that / those teens who start the course with great energy, having trouble keeping up with her schoolwork and participating in various activities after school. But in mid-November is beginning to have difficulty completing assigned readings, you must make more effort to work well, can not concentrate in class after school only wants to sleep, the notes begin to fall, I rarely feel like socializing ceases to be punctual and lost many days of school. Since the power is back again in the spring is thought to be one more step. But when in November the following year the same thing happens again then you are diagnosed with a type of depression called SAD.

The DSM-IV-TR notes and course specifications that can be applied to disorders of mood the longitudinal course, seasonal pattern, and rapid cycling. Criteria A and B for the specification of the seasonal pattern described in this text say: A) There has been a sustained temporal relationship between onset of major depressive episodes of bipolar I or bipolar II and recurrent major depressive disorder and certain time of year (eg, regular appearance of major depressive episode in the fall or winter) and B) Full remissions (or a change to depression or mania or hypomania) also occur at a certain time of year (eg, depression disappears in the spring). It could therefore be considered to the specification applicable to certain seasonal pattern of mood disorders and a history of seasonal affective disorder.

SAD is a type of depression that is triggered by the seasons. Although there is a less common type of SAD begins in the late spring and disappears in the winter, the most common type of SAD is the one that begins in late fall and disappear in the spring. The latter type of SAD, also known as winter depression, is a form of depression that appears in the same time each year, ie as winter approaches and daylight hours become shorter. When spring returns and days become longer again experienced relief of symptoms and mood to normal. But, again come winter, come back disorder symptoms.

Regarding the etiology of SAD is believed caused by the brain's response to the decreased exposure to daylight. Current theories about what causes SAD focus on the potential role of sunlight in production in the brains of two key hormones: melatonin and serotonin. These two hormones help regulate sleep-alertness, energy and mood. Shorter days and longer hours of darkness fall and winter may cause increased levels of melatonin (associated with sleep and lethargy) and decreased levels of serotonin (associated with depression). In this sense, people who work long hours in offices with few windows or who are exposed to many cloudy days may experience symptoms of SAD. Another possible cause of SAD is related to the regulation of body temperature. Finally, most people with SAD have at least one close relative who has had bouts of depression.

Seasonal affective disorder include the following:

· Problems of sleep. There is usually a desire to sleep more number of hours, having trouble staying awake, but in some cases are disturbed sleep and early waking.

· Lethargy. Feeling of fatigue and inability to carry out the tasks of normal daily life.

Excess appetite. Displayed a desire to carbohydrates and sweet foods, which often lead to weight gain.

· Symptoms of depression. Sadness, apathy, low self esteem, despair, guilt, and sometimes, a diminished ability to feel.

· Problems of society. Irritability, desire to avoid social contact, increased sensitivity to social rejection.

· Anxiety. Tension and inability to tolerate stress.

· Loss of sexual desire. The interest in sex and physical contact is reduced.

• Changes in mood. In some cases there are extreme mood and short periods of hypomania.

Not all people with SAD experience all these symptoms. For example, it is possible that the energy level is normal, but the desire too much of carbohydrates is severe. The symptoms of SAD usually appear regularly each winter, starting in October and November and extending into March or April. SAD is diagnosed when symptoms appear for two or more consecutive winters. Before

establish the diagnosis of SAD is performed a medical examination to ensure that symptoms are not due to medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, or mononucleosis. Most people with SAD show signs of a weakened immune system during the winter and are more vulnerable to infections and other diseases. The symptoms disappear in spring, which can occur suddenly with a short period of hypomania or gradually, depending on the intensity of sunlight in the spring. The most difficult months for people with SAD are January and February. Like other forms of depression, symptoms of SAD can be mild, intermediate grade, or severe.

Seasonal affective disorder can sometimes progress to major depressive disorder. The main difference between SAD and other types of depression is that SAD occurs only during the winter months. Also, in many types of depression people often sleep and eat less and lose weight while in SAD sleep and eat more and gain weight. SAD, like other types of clinical depression is not caused by psychological or social factors (although such stresses can aggravate). Normal sadness tends to be situational and generally does not include physical symptoms such as SAD. The "holiday blues" can be distinguished because of SAD usually not accompanied by physical symptoms, is caused by stressors that season and occurs only in that period. The cases in which there is a clear effect of seasonal psychosocial stressors (eg., Being habitually unemployed every winter) also are considered SAD.

SAD can affect children, adolescents and adults. However, the most common age of onset is between 18 and 30. Also, the risk of this condition diminishes with age. It is estimated that 6% of people with SAD. The prevalence varies from one region to another: the farther from the equator a person lives more likely to develop SAD. This supports the theory that SAD is related to reduced exposure to sunlight. Children can be affected by SAD, but exhibit different symptoms than adults are more likely to be irritable instead of sad or anxious. Women and people with relatives who have experienced depression are four times more likely to develop SAD compared with men and people without relatives with depression.

As for treatment of seasonal affective disorder include the following:

Increased exposure to light. For a person who has mild symptoms, could be enough to spend more time outdoors during daylight hours, doing aerobic exercise outdoors or taking a daily walk. Use in the rooms where it is usually natural light bulbs helps relieve symptoms.

1. Light Therapy. More severe symptoms of SAD can be treated with phototherapy. This includes the use of a special light that simulates daylight. Place a bright light box and fluorescent on a table and the person sits in front of it for about 45 minutes, usually in the morning. The person should be squinting into the light and not in front occasionally for long periods (for light to act, has to be absorbed through the retina). We recommend using light therapy until the outside is enough natural light. Light therapy should be used under the supervision of a physician. The lights used in phototherapy for SAD must filter out harmful UV rays. Do not use tanning booths. Because it is not recommended to see the light directly, it can perform normal activities such as reading, writing, eating, etc.. Phototherapy increases its effectiveness when combined with exercise. The use of light therapy in conjunction with antidepressant medications may make it possible to take smaller doses of drugs and reduce side effects caused by them. In addition, taking medication can reduce the amount of time needed in front of the light.

Side effects of phototherapy are eyestrain and headaches. People taking drugs that make them more sensitive to light, as certain medications for psoriasis, antibiotics, or antipsychotic should avoid light therapy. If phototherapy is to be used intensively and / or prolonged, we recommend a checkup with an ophthalmologist.

2. Psychotherapy. It focuses on examining the negative thoughts and feelings associated with depressive symptoms of SAD and helps to relieve feelings of isolation or loneliness often felt by these people. The support and guidance of a professional therapist can be beneficial for a person with SAD. Psychotherapy can also help the person suffering from SAD to learn about and understand their condition better and to learn what to do to prevent or minimize the occurrence of seasonal depression. Psychotherapy is concrete in the development of a self-registration (indicating cognitions, emotions and negative behaviors), cognitive argument (or questioning of these negative cognitions and replacing them with positive ones) and planning and implementation of the completion of homework, exercise aerobic or daily walking, and socializing.

3. Drugs. Antidepressants help regulate the balance of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain that affect mood and energy. Drugs must be prescribed and monitored by a physician. You should inform your doctor if you are taking other medications, including OTC drugs or herbal. The most commonly used antidepressants for SAD are the selective inhibitors of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Paxil (parosetina) and Luvox (fluvoxamine).

Other things that help with seasonal affective disorder are strictly following medical treatment, learn what you can of SAD and explain the disorder to others for help, spending time with friends and loved ones who understand what is happening and can help providing personal contact and sense of connection, be patient and not expect the symptoms go away immediately, manage or control the stress, especially in the winter months, seek to carry out the duties of class if needed, in terms of eating well avoid simple carbohydrates and sugary snacks and maintain a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, to establish a sleep routine in the sense of sleep every day at the same time, traveling to a place with sunshine during the winter, organize home or office in order to be exposed to a window during the day. If you have mild symptoms of SAD must begin by increasing exposure to natural light and start a daily exercise regime. If you have symptoms that are significantly interfering with quality of life itself, you should consult a doctor or mental health professional.

Dr.? Angel Retuerto

Psychologist www.psicologoadistancia.com

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