Draft 2.1
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), is defined as “a cyclic illness characterized by recurrent episodes of fall/winter depression alternating with periods of spring/summer euthymia (norma l mood) or hypomania (mild elation and behavioral activation)” (2). There has been much research done to support the SAD and to find effective treatments for the annual malady such as bright light therapy. SAD generally occurs in the winter months, beginning around November and ending around March. People with symptoms of SAD differ from regular depressives in that winter depressive; have fewer suicidal tendencies, a less negative mood, fewer signs of dependency and less self-criticism. Symptoms of SAD include overeating, weight gam,
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The Placebo Affect
There are many theories discussed concerning SAD and the best ways to combat it. The Melatonin Theory, the Phase-Shift theory and the Direct photo-chemical theory. However, what is almost never considered is the placebo theory. SAD is not a new topic. There are many popular media outlets that run ads and question the audience about SAD. Much of the population is self-diagnosing and over worried about their health. Just having patients knowing about SAD puts them in the mindset that they may have SAD. This group of people is not accounted for in any of the research I have come across, and calls the numbers into question. Is everyone tested in the studies actually afflicted by SAD or did they see and add and fall victim to marketing and an over whelming fear for their health. On the other hand the theories previously mentioned do have merit and truly stand on their own. The Melatonin Theory suggests, due to the shorter longer nights of winter melatonin secretion runs rampant. This is where bright light therapy is thought to be most effective. Bright light therapy would emulate the sunlight that is taken in through the eyes and affects the pineal gland to help suppress melatonin secretion (). The problem with this though is that there are now reports that claim melatonin suppression is not necessary to reap the benefits of SAD. Phase-shift theory suggests that light corrects the difference
A major depressive episode is not a disorder in itself, but rather more of a description or symptoms of part of a disorder most often depressive disorder or bipolar. A person suffering from a major depressive episode must have a depressed mood or a loss of interest in daily activities consistently for a minimum of a two-week time span (Psych Central, 2013). In diagnosing the mood must reflect a change from the person’s normal mood. A person’s daily activities and functions, such as work, social routines and friends, education, family, and relationships must also have been negatively impacted by the change in their mood. A major depressive episode is also identified by presence of five or more of the following symptoms. The patient can show signs of significant weight loss or weight gain even not dieting or trying to lose or gain weight. The patient will also display a change in appetite almost everyday, either with an increase or a decrease in their normal eating habits. The weight change is typically set at an increase or decrease in weight of more than 5% per month. The patient will display a depressed mood almost the entire day and this sadness, emptiness, loneliness, crying, and distant is observed by others or indicted by the patient, is typically
Information about age of onset and duration of SAD, subtypes of SAD, psychiatric comorbidity and medication use were also obtained. The patients were assessed with an extensive questionnaire battery using observer-rated assessments and self report questionnaires at baseline, post-treatment and at 3 and 12-month follow-ups.
Major depressive disorder is distinguishable since it pertains to having a depressive episode for approximately two weeks (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These depressive episodes involve exhibiting five or more symptoms during the two-week period. At least one of the symptoms is depressed mood or loss of pleasure (anhedonia) or interest (Major Depressive Episode). When the individual is experiencing depressed mood, the symptom typically last most of the day consistently throughout the whole day. Apart from feeling depressed, the individual also experiences lack of or diminishment of interest or pleasure (Bressert, 2017). Similarly, to depressed mood, this sense of anhedonia last most of the day, nearly every day (Major Depressive Episode). Insomnia and or increase in sleeping excessively is also another symptom (Mume, 2010). Furthermore, the individual may experience agitation and intense slowness or sense of retardation (Mash, 2015). This can then lead to a feeling of fatigue or an energy drop. Consequently, these
List four items found in Tutankhamen’s tomb: Four items found in Tutankhamen’s tomb were: Daggers and other weapons, Shields, Musical Instruments, Scribal Equipment and Lamps.
There are several types of depression some of them are but may not be limited to: Major Depression one is said to experience this most days of the week. Bipolar Disorder, these individuals experience mood episodes that can result in high energy to low depressive periods. Seasonal Affective Disorder is said to affect one mostly during the winter months when one is unable to obtain as much sunlight due to the days growing shorter. Postpartum Depression is a major depression that may affect some women in the weeks and months after birthing a child. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder may affect some women at the start of their menstrual cycles each month. 'Situational' Depression may affect an individual when they are having trouble managing a stressful event in their life, such as a death in the family, a divorce, or losing a job. People with psychotic depression have the symptoms of major depression along with "psychotic" symptoms. For some one having atypical depression, a positive event can temporarily improve your mood (WebMD, 2014). This disease is devastating for both the individual it affects as well as his/her environment.
There really have only been studies conducted on people with possible SAD since 1984 when a man named Norman E. Rosenthal actually defined the psychological disorder (Lam). Since Rosenthal defined SAD as a syndrome characterized by recurrent depressions that occur annually at the same time each year characterized by hypersomnia, overeating, and carbohydrate craving (Newsome), there have been several studies conducted and published on people with possible SAD. Many of the studies that have been published for the general public focus mainly on the different forms of treatment for SAD, such as light therapy and different forms of Phototherapy, rather than focusing on the cause. Discovering the main causes of SAD would help to clearly identify who is actually in need of treatment related to light therapy compared to anti depressants. In my situation I had symptoms that were both characteristic of what identified SAD patients and patients suffering from mild forms of depression. When symptoms of one disorder are so closely related to symptoms of
Seasonal depression occurs only at a certain time of the year, usually winter, because the number of daylight hours is lower. Another form of depression is psychotic depression, which is when depression and hallucinations are experienced at the same time. They all have different symptoms and should be approached differently to receive the correct treatment.
SAD is classified as an anxiety disorder and is commonly diagnosed in males and females of any age, highly effective in
Depression is not just a state of being sad and is not something that will go away after a nights rest. Depression can be defined as “a condition of mental disturbance characterized by such feelings to a greater degree than seems warranted by external conditions, typically with lack of energy and difficulty maintaining concentration or interest in life”. (New Oxford American Dictionary) Depression can be found in more than just the mind, it hides within one’s body, leaving the beholder immobile. Depression does not discriminate, it can affect anyone of any age, background, class, race, or religion. It affects over fifteen million adults in the United States alone. Depression is basically the common cold of mental disorders. Anyone can get it and it is extremely common. The reason why I chose this particular topic is because I suffer from clinical depression as well as anxiety.
Some of them are understandable considering what causes it. Of course, sadness is one of them. Anxiety and loss of interest are other symptoms (Mayo Clinic, 2016). During holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or any days that are family and friend oriented, loneliness is present. Loneliness can be felt in a person no matter if they have someone or people in their lives that they love or not. This type of social isolation could possibly lead to depression. As mentioned earlier, Seasonal Affective Disorder can mess with your biological clock; so, insomnia or excessive sleeping can occur with this disorder. You could experience, fatigue, changes in appetite, and become irritated easily (Mayo Clinic,
So, there are statistics showing that people with age-related macular degeneration have a higher risk at becoming depressed versus people who do not have age-related macular degeneration. This is believed to be stemmed from the decrease in socialization and independence. These patients who were once able to live on their own and maintain a normal social life are no longer able to do the things they once did on their
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) takes place during the winter weather, this is due to the lessening of the sunlight during those months. The symptoms include lack of energy, eating more than you would usually, sleeping more and gaining weight. People are diagnosed after they have had these symptoms present during the winter for more than 2 years. This type of disorder can be treated with artificial light treatment. During light therapy, you sit or work near a device called a light therapy box. The box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light.
The key component to emergency line of duty is the essence of communication; telecommunication to be exact! Emergencies operations would be very difficult without the first line of defense, which 911 dispatchers and call takers. Without this line of work, other counterparts in law enforcement would suffer castisotraphically. To commence, on February 8th, My class and I went on a field trip to Broward Sheriffs Office (BSO) Telecommunication Center. I was introduced to various dispatchers and call takers as I absorbed the knowledge of the experienced personnel.
Major Depressive Disorder is marked by sadness and any four of the following seven criteria: weight loss or weight gain, insomnia or hypersomnia, motor slowing or agitation, fatigue, worthlessness or guilt, impaired concentration, and thoughts of suicide or suicide attempt. Those with Major Depressive Disorder have never had mania or hypomania and may also have anxiety symptoms. When the Major Depressive Disorder is combined with melancholic features, then the person has a “loss of pleasure in all, or almost all, activities [and has a] lack of reactivity to usually pleasurable stimuli (does not feel better, even temporarily, when something good happens” (American Psychiatric Association, p. 185). Observations made by others, such as being tearful, is also a criterion of this disorder (American
Sylvester Johnson examined the two factors incorporated within the Bible, which shaped the nature of American debates over slavery (Johnson 231). The first factor consisted of the Bible cultivating the ideology of slavery. The Bible was able to cultivate this ideology due to its writings that were composed of authors who confirmed, and even advocated a society to embrace slavery as a legitimate practice (Johnson 231). The second factor examined how the Bible had an effect on abolitionists challenging the legitimacy of slavery. Since the Bible was a tremendous symbol of authority, it made it difficult for abolitionists to utilize the Bible as a source to challenge the notion of slavery as a legitimate practice.