Re: Lydia and light bulbs/ Pat

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/4/2005 10:46:04 AM Eastern Standard Time,

spiritmp@... writes:

I would welcome any suggestions anyone has to help with SAD. I already have

it bad - only a few weeks into the dim and cold season. I try to keep busy,

to do errands etc. But sometimes I am so low I can't even go out and just

feel like sititng around the house. Help!

Hi Pat... I've suffered since I was a teen with SAD... the gray skies

are the worst....and the cold doesn't help a bit!!! There is medication and

I've also used St. 's Wort, at your pharmacy. It is an herb and takes a

while to kick in. I haven't taken anything for the last 6 yrs. I've been

with Glenn...but am noticing it's affects much more this year...and winter has

just begun. SAD can even be totally debilitating...you don't get up to go

work, sit in the house all the time, which I'm doing, except for days I go to

work, but that's a real chore!!! Hope this information helps some... Donelle

_http://www.hypericum.com/_ (http://www.hypericum.com/)

Seasonal Affective Disorder (Winter depression)

People with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) tend to experience depressive

symptoms during a particular time of the year, most commonly fall or winter.

They often begin in October or November and remit in April or May. The

symptoms of SAD, also known as " winter depression, " are listed below.

Altered sleep patterns, with overall increased amount of sleep.

Difficulty in getting out of bed in the morning and getting going.

Increased lethargy and fatigue.

Apathy, sadness and/or irritability.

Increased appetite, carbohydrate craving and weight gain.

Decreased physical activity.

SAD is generally believed to be caused by a reduction in daylight hours

which desynchronizes the body clock and disturbs the circadian rhythms.

Treatment

is often synergized with morning exposure to bright sunlight light By

providing appropriately timed light exposure, the body's circadian rhythms

become

resynchronized and the symptoms of SAD resolve. It is important for the

person with SAD to get as much natural light as possible. Here are some

suggestions:

* Light up your homes as much as you need to. Use white wallpaper and

light-colored carpet instead of dark paneling and dark carpet.

* Choose to live in dwellings with large windows.

* Allow light to shine through doors and windows when temperatures are

moderate. Trim hedges around windows to let more light in.

* Exercise outdoors.

* Set up reading or work spaces near a window.

* Ask to sit near a window in restaurants, classrooms or at your

workplace.

* Arrange a winter vacation in a warm, sunny climate.

* Put off large undertakings until the summer.

Although the most common form of recurrent seasonal depressions in northern

countries is the winter SAD, researchers at the National Institute of Mental

Health have uncovered a type of summer depression that occurs during June,

July and August. Summer SAD tends to occur more in the southern states such as

Florida, as well as in Japan and China. Summer depressives frequently ascribe

their symptoms to the severe heat of summer, although in some instances the

depressions may be triggered by intense light.

Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

Caregiver to Glenn