Go Back   tanTALK - Tanning Salon Business Owners Community > TanTalk Central > The Benefits of UV Light

The Benefits of UV Light Read and discuss all the great news about UV light and Vitamin D.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 10-31-2006, 06:13 PM   #1 (permalink)
 
Neon Beach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 30 2000
Location: Ontario
Age: 61
Posts: 38,594
Rep Power: 107 Neon Beach has a reputation beyond repute Neon Beach has a reputation beyond repute Neon Beach has a reputation beyond repute Neon Beach has a reputation beyond repute Neon Beach has a reputation beyond repute Neon Beach has a reputation beyond repute Neon Beach has a reputation beyond repute Neon Beach has a reputation beyond repute Neon Beach has a reputation beyond repute Neon Beach has a reputation beyond repute Neon Beach has a reputation beyond repute
Seasonal Affective Disorder sends millions into winter depression each year

Seasonal Affective Disorder sends millions into winter depression each year
October 29,2006
MICHAEL ABERNETHY
STAFF WRITER

Few people look forward to the earlier darkness brought by the end of Daylight Saving Time
The coming winter months mean chilly skies will begin to darken at about 4:30 p.m. each day, leaving less than 12 hours of daylight each day for the next few months.
But for some people, the time change forecasts a darker winter.
Almost everyone notices a change in their moods during winter. For most, the changes don’t inhibit progress in daily life. Those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or seasonal depression, undergo a seasonal mood shift that impairs their functioning and can cause them to feel suicidal.
“It’s not just that we equate darkness with sadness,” said Dr. Gregory Gridley, of Gridley Behavioral Healthcare in Kinston. “There’s definitely a physiological component to Seasonal Affective Disorder. It’s not diagnosed much here because we don’t have days of darkness and we aren’t trapped inside for days during snowstorms… but it exists.”
Doctors believe SAD affects between 5 and 10 percent of the world’s population, when during autumn and winter months, the lack of sunlight causes moodiness, sleep disorders and deep depression.
Seasonal depression is most common in the extreme areas of the northern and southern hemispheres where daylight lasts only a few hours. The closer to the equator you live, the less likely it is you’ll be affected by the changing daylight between seasons. But even in the temperate climate of the Southern U.S., some are susceptible to seasonal depression.
“The key thing is that SAD is not diagnosed in and of itself. It’s a subtype of depression,” Saeed said. “Seasonal Affective Disorder comes across like a fad type of thing, but it’s been known about for 20 years.”

What is S.A.D.?
Depression is part of being human.
All of us will experience deep sadness over the loss of a loved one or difficult break up, but that depression normally passes with time. When depression persists longer than a few weeks, it can become crippling.
One in five people will suffer from this type of severe clinical depression within their lifetime.
SAD is generally usually occurs between November and February each year and is accompanied by symptoms similar to most depressions — irritability, feelings of hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, and changes in appetite, weight and sleep habits.
People who are depressed lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Those with SAD often oversleep and overeat, craving sugars in carbohydrates.
In some extreme cases, low energy can manifest itself as a heavy feeling in the legs, Saeed said.
SAD can be difficult to diagnose because it often occurs around the holidays, the most stressful — and potentially depressing — time of year.
“It usually occurs in the fall, when people experience stress anyway,” said Dr. Sy A. Saeed, psychiatric medicine chair at East Carolina University. “It’s the time when people are maxing out their credit cards and wishing to be with people who are not there.” Many seasonal workers are also out of work during winter.
The post-holiday blues are also confounded with seasonal depression, Gridley said. Large bills left after family celebrations can bring anyone down.
One of the keys to diagnosing SAD is that the symptoms disappear by spring and summer, as the earth turns on its axis to soak up more sunlight.

What causes SAD?
On the surface, the cause of SAD is simple: Less light equals more chance for depression.
People with seasonal depression often crave sunlight during winter days.
In the 20 years since Dr. Norman Rosenthal discovered and diagnosed SAD, doctors have discovered the scientific links between daylight and depression.
When light enters the eye, it travels into the brain where it stimulates the production of neurotransmitters — signals which help the brain reset our body’s clock — and receptors. A reduction of neurotransmitters or receptors means our body has a harder time functioning on a routine schedule.
During winter, less light reduces the amount of neurotransmitters in the brains of people with SAD and increases the secretion of melatonin levels which causes sleep.
SAD could be linked to hibernation, as the sluggishness and weight gain brought on by darker days mirrors the winter instincts of some mammals, Saeed said.
“Look at the melatonin levels overall,” Saeed said. “More is usually secreted during the evening and the time of secretion is longer during the winter.”
The carbohydrate craving some experience could actually be the brain’s method of trying to heal itself, Gridley said.
“We medicate stress with food,” Gridley said. “Our brains run on sugar and fat. When we experience stress, our brain wants glucose.”
Increasing sugar intake also changes the brain’s chemistry, said Dr. Michael Hill of the psychiatry department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“(Carbohydrate) loading can raise serotonin levels (a key neurotransmitter)in the brain,” Hill said. “If the level is dropping, our instinct can be to eat.”

How is SAD treated?
Medicine has found more direct methods of dealing with SAD than loading our bodies up with sugar.
Routine treatment now includes light therapy, the use of anti-depressants and psychotherapy, or counseling.
Light therapy has become the most popular treatment for seasonal depression due to the effects of sunlight on the brain. It’s also popular because it’s often the simplest method and has the least side effects.
“Almost 75 percent of people with SAD see some decrease in symptoms with light therapy,” Saeed said. “The gold standard for treatment is mono-therapy. The simpler the better.”
Light is so effective, it’s taught as a standard treatment at UNC, Hill said. The therapy can be used any time of day, but most doctors prescribe in the morning or at night because it seems to be more effective then.
Several companies, such as Northern Light Technologies, sell special light boxes that emit an intense light to mimic the sun.
“Rather than trying to sell to the public, we’re very well known to doctors,” said Steve Nader president of Northern Light Technologies — a company that’s been making the powerful lights for 16 years. “Almost everyone who buys one of our products is told by a doctor to buy one. We grew very quickly early on… but it’s a niche market.”
Though light boxes can be easily purchased online, Saeed advises against self-diagnosis and treatment with light therapy.
“One of the words of caution I would give is that Seasonal Affective Disorder can be part of a bipolar disorder,” Saeed said. “If light therapy is used for those patients, it can actually precipitate a manic episode which is a much more serious condition.”
Tanning salons might seem like a quick alternative to light therapy, but in reality they don’t help SAD much, even with regular use.
People often leave the tanning booth feeling relaxed and energized, said Ori Eubanks of Eubanks tanning, whose winter business usually picks up in January and February. Tanning is often advised for those with arthritis and is a good source of vitamin D. The warmth and relaxation also provides a quick energy boost, Gridley said.
But tanning won’t treat the brain for SAD, Hill said. If the eyes stay closed — which they usually must in a tanning booth — no light enters the brain.
“Other parts of your body may absorb light… but if there’s no light getting into your eyes, it’s not getting to the hypothalamus. It’s hard to see that tanning has biological benefits but it could have psychological benefits (by reminding) you of a day at the beach.”
If light therapy doesn’t work to alleviate symptoms, anti-depressants can be prescribed.
Anti-depressants are believed to help with the uptake of neurotransmitters, though scientists haven’t proven exactly how they work to treat depression. Though some medications cause a number of side effects, newer medicines with fewer side effects are on the market.
Seeing a therapist can also help diagnose and treat SAD, though it’s not advised as the only course of treatment. Several forms of psychotherapy can be used for those suffering with seasonal depression if light therapy and drug therapy don’t work, Saeed wrote in a 1998 article for “American Family Physician”.
A healthy diet and routine exercise are “a no-brainer,” for those working through depression, Gridley said. People with depression should also avoid drinking and drug use.
“It’s pretty clear that exercise boosts your mood more than anything short of an anti-depressant,” Gridley said. “A 30-minute walk three- to four times a week on sunny days can help.”
Those with SAD or who think they might be depressed should be conscious of their bodies and feelings, Saeed said.
“The most important thing is to pay attention,” Saeed said. SAD’s symptoms are consistent and often take a toll on people’s personal life and affect the way they function
Beyond that, Gridley suggested staying involved in social activities and monitoring behaviors. “Emotions are nature’s signal to take action,” Gridley said. “In my business, you don’t get as much efficacy as if you change your behaviors and combine that with treatment. You can control the way you direct your thoughts and your body’s actions.”



http://www.kinston.com/SiteProcessor...&Section=Local
Neon Beach is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2006, 06:19 PM   #2 (permalink)
 
vettes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 15 2002
Location: Northeast
Age: 51
Posts: 370
Rep Power: 22 vettes is a jewel in the rough vettes is a jewel in the rough vettes is a jewel in the rough vettes is a jewel in the rough
Re: Seasonal Affective Disorder sends millions into winter depression each year

Good article
vettes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2006, 08:58 PM   #3 (permalink)
 
DanD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 4 2000
Posts: 337
Rep Power: 24 DanD is a jewel in the rough DanD is a jewel in the rough DanD is a jewel in the rough
Re: Seasonal Affective Disorder sends millions into winter depression each year

Very useful Neon!! Thanks!
DanD is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Drugs Affedted by.... tan2much Health & Fitness 37 12-11-2006 11:30 PM
Beating clinical depression. Muffin Health & Fitness 43 06-21-2006 03:59 PM
number 2000 electricparadise Say What ????? 41 11-03-2005 02:11 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:47 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.1.0
Copyright 2009 - tanTALK.com

click here for advertising info!