Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD)..natural treatments
Liz Spikol reveals important issue's on her blog the trouble with Spikol. She is bipolar and a marvelous woman...I read her blog religiously.... FYI she takes alot of meds to stay sane...I have posted her links to her videos as well which are very human and a delight to watch and refreshingly honest about alot of issues that pertain to the mental health world...She is one of my heros: http://trouble.philadelphiaweekly.com/
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SADly, Seasonal Affective Disorder is with us for quite a while still. Here are some tips from the Seattle Post Intelligencer
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Natural Medicine: Natural Treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or winter depression, is very common in the Pacific Northwest. The lack of sunlight in winter is thought to contribute to symptoms of SAD, including loss of energy, mild depression, oversleeping, overeating and carbohydrate cravings. Fortunately, there are several natural ways to combat these symptoms. Light therapy is one of the easiest, non-invasive, natural ways to treat SAD and research supports its use. Light boxes providing 10,000 lux are used to stimulate light exposure with a goal of 30 minutes of direct facial exposure in the morning. Fight carbohydrate cravings, which can contribute to and aggravate feelings of depression. Eat healthy protein from sources such as nuts, eggs, lean meats and beans regularly and with each carbohydrate serving. Choose complex carbohydrates such as fruits, grains and vegetables instead of simple ones such as white flours and sugars. Research supports the benefits of exercise for depression, but it can be tough to exercise in the winter in the Northwest. Finding an exercise buddy may encourage daily movement and help keep you motivated. Gyms are a good place to find indoor recreation, exercise classes and equipment to keep you out of the dark. There is a connection between low vitamin D levels and SAD. Vitamin D, actually a hormone, needs UVB sun exposure to be processed in the body. It's important to check blood levels of 25-OH vitamin D first as there are toxicity concerns. Most data supports daily doses of 2000 IU of vitamin D3. Food sources include cod, salmon, sardines, herring and fortified cereals and milks. You also can plan a sunny winter vacation to increase your levels of this "sunshine vitamin." Other nutrients useful for SAD include omega-3 fatty acids, B-vitamins, melatonin, St. John's Wort and amino acids such as 5-HTP and L-tryptophan. Each of these therapies has the potential for drug interactions, so it's important to talk with a naturopathic physician about safe, appropriate dosage. --Melissa McCarty, ND, naturopathic physician and resident, Bastyr Center for Natural Health |
