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Depression
We all feel down now and then. But when “the blues” last for more than a few days, you may be suffering from some form of depression. If you find yourself feeling slow and sluggish on a regular basis, take heart—you are not alone. Nearly 15% of adults, and twice as many women as men, have been diagnosed with depression. The good news is that, with proper physician’s care and preventative measures, over 80% of suffers find relief and lead productive lives.
Depression can be triggered by a life-altering event such as a death, accident or surgery. Depression can also be caused by hormone shifts, lack of sunlight or other reasons. No matter the cause of depression, all sufferers have one thing in common: They lack the necessary balance of hormones called neurotransmitters (seratonin, norepinephrine and dopamine). Low levels of these neurotransmitters diminish our mood, our ability to think, and our activity. This is why we can’t just ‘snap out of it’ or will our selves better. Nothing you can think or say to yourself will get you back on track until your brain regains it ability to produce these hormones in proper balance.
Depression Symptoms
- Prolonged sadness
- Changes in appetite and sleep
- Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
- Loss of energy
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
- Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
- Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
The Dangers of Not Being Treated
Depression left untreated can cause a permanent physical damage. For example, long term depression produces high levels of cortisol which damage the hippocampus (memory area of the brain) resulting in long term memory loss. High levels of cortisol contribute to osteoporosis, diminishing bone density as much as 14%. And abnormal cortisol levels also increase the risk of heart attack, explaining in part the close association of stress, depression and heart disease. and heart attack. In fact, half of all heart attack victims also suffer from depression.
Steps you can take
- Consult with your doctor. Only your doctor is qualified to diagnose the severity of your depression, recommend therapy, and prescribe medication. Your doctor can also develop an effective exercise program and supplement regimen.
- Mood tracker: Your moods and attitudes fluctuate constantly. Keeping a care record of these changes is a necessary tool in the accurate diagnosis of any mood disorder. A simple mood tracker will let you see patterns, and will tell you what is working, and what to avoid. Any anti-depressant therapy is made more effective with a mood tracker. Click here for a free mood tracker
- Bright Light: It has long been known that sunlight deprivation can contribute to several mood disorders as seratonin production is impeded. Bright light therapy can stimulate seratonin production in our brains, and reverse this condition, restoring our natural hormonal balance returning us to active, productive lives. Clinical studies of the effects of large fields of bright environmental light (10,000 lux intensity).at Yale, UCSD and dozens of other research institutes have shown dramatic results.
Circadian Rhythms play a major role in depression
Current research
is centering on the daily rhythms that control
our energy and mood. These rhythms, called 'circadian
rhythms,' are the signals your body clock produces
that tell you when to get up, be active and social,
and when to pull back and go to sleep. These rhythms
can become easily imbalanced from stress, trauma,
surgery, age and other causes. When your circadian
rhythm doesn't function properly, your body clock
will either produce the wrong hormones at the wrong
time of day, or not produce enough of the right
hormones. Medical journals report that depression
is connected to circadian rhythm disorders.
Light does what anti-depressants can’t
Since seratonin was found to be a critical ingredient for a well-balanced disposition, pharmaceutical companies have introduced a whole family of seratonin uptake inhibitors. Standard anti-depressants (SSRI's) increase seratonin levels by delaying the body’s ability to clear it from the bloodstream. While these medications have proven themselves very effective, there are none that can actually increase seratonin production. And so those suffering from low seratonin production cannot gain sufficient levels to achieve balance.
The discovery that bright light therapy stimulates seratonin production is a depression therapy milestone. It is the only method by which seratonin production can actually be stimulated. This is why light supplement has proven to be an effective, all natural method in combating depressive conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), PMS, Prenatal and even Post Partum Depression. When medication therapy is combined with light supplement, studies show that depression is more effectively treated than with medication alone
Body clock Assessment tool
Most people who suffer from depression also have a contributing circadian rhythm disorder. Medical journals now report that depressive disorders are circadian related because most people feel wors at a particular time of day, have difficulty sleeping, and suffer more severely during the winter.
If you experience difficulty sleeping or lack energy during the day, a circadian rhthm disorder may be contributing to your condition. You can now take a test to see if you have a circadian rhythm disorder. The assessment tool will let you know which circadian rhythm disorer you may have as well as its degree of severity. Since our body clocks react differently, this assessment tool will also develop a customized treatment schedule so you can respond as quickly as possible
TAKE THE TEST
(Approximately 10-15 minutes)
For more research on using light with depression, click here.
Related Depressive Conditions
(click for more information)
Bipolar Disorders
SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
Anxiety
Stress
Circadian Rhythm Disorders (Sleep Disorders)
This information
is not intended to diagnose or treat any mood disorder, mental
illness, or physical condition. This information is provided
to give better understanding of these conditions. If you recognize
any of these symptoms, you should consult with your physician.
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