by myarticlenetwork on March 9, 2010
Scientists in the early 1980s, working to discover a treatment for seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, became aware that disturbances in light absorption during the late fall and winter months affected mood in a depressive way. They quickly realized the benefit of light therapy for SAD treatment therapy. Not only does exposure to light help reduce the symptoms of SAD, but it is also used to treat other ailments such as jaundice. These days, this type of treatment is available at home or in hospitals.
Light therapy is relevant and effective in numerous medical conditions and helps sufferers to quickly find energy when winter depression puts them in a dark mood. Light therapy lamps are used to treat seasonal depression, or SAD, and the main symptoms start to manifest in the winter, when the days are shorter and sunlight in minimal. There is less light, and this seasonal change can affect people who are susceptible to SAD.
In many cases, the feeling of lethargy one gets in late fall and early winter is called winter blues or depression, and a large number of people suffer from it in one way or another. Many times it will not stop people from functioning, but it does seem to impair energy and excitement about previously enjoyed activities. Light therapy for SAD treatment therapy can help alleviate many of the depressive symptoms.
So how do light boxes for bright light therapy work? This type of therapy consists of exposing yourself to the light that an ultraviolet lamp emits. This transmits light to the skin and the eyes. For best results, the intensity of the light should be between 2500 and 10,000 light units. Melatonin is a sleep hormone, which is thought to be partially responsible for the problems linked to diminished light exposure. This hormone is normally secreted at night to help us relax and fall asleep. The thought is that this hormone is somehow blocked from being produced during the day and so our patterns of sleep are disrupted.
Light therapy lamps are relatively easy to use. The first thing you have to remember is that they are used as treatment in hospitals and at home, and they respond in the same way as any normal lighting device, such as desk lights for SAD. However, always verify that the lamps you have will produce ultraviolet light.
For the most benefit, try to time each light therapy for SAD treatment therapy session in the morning when you first awaken. Place the lamp at eye level or just below the eyes and expose as much of your arms, neck and chest as possible. It isn’t necessary to look directly at the lamp, but it is important that the light reaches the retina and exposed skin. The length of your session should be between thirty minutes and two hours, depending on the intensity of the bulbs that you use.
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by myarticlenetwork on March 9, 2010
You may have heard people discussing bipolar or manic depressive disorder, with regard to a family member or close friend. Yet did they truly understand what the terms mean? Both are one and the same, and symptoms include extreme feelings of euphoria during the manic phase and intensely dark emotionally black days during the depressive phase. It is classified as bipolar type I, which is the most severe type; and bipolar type II, in which sufferers exhibit less extreme changes in mood.
The manic phases of bipolar disorder are defined by a dramatic increase in energy leading to over confidence and over activity. The patient is also commonly very talkative with a high speech rate. The ability to think rationally and to behave properly in social settings, as well as the length of their attention span is drastically lowered. This, in turn, leads to the affected person thinking about and pursuing unrealistic and many times dangerous ideas, as well as creating unintentional and embarrassing situations in public.
If bipolar disorder is left untreated, mania can develop into a psychotic state. The hypomania characteristic for bipolar type II is less destructive than the full blown mania, in that the symptoms are much less severe and typically last for a shorter period of time. The hypomania state can lead to creative outbursts as well as unusually high innovative problem solving skills in some individuals.
If a person is bipolar, then the depressive phases are in no way different than the depressive phases of other mood disorders. The patient experiences prolonged phases of depression, sadness without a cause, and a loss of energy leading to lethargy. A person with manic depressive disorder can be indifferent and pessimistic; may feel guilty and worthless; may show a loss of appetite and a change in sleep patterns (insomnia is common); can be indecisive and unable to concentrate; will experience irritability, anxiety and anger. Furthermore, the patient may have recurring thoughts of suicide or death.
Manic depressive disorder is thought to be genetically pre-determined, which means that there is no way to cure this illness. With regard to finding help for depression and the subsequent mania stage, there are steps to take to help manage it. Medications have been developed to help control the extreme symptoms. Because there can be prevailing thoughts of depression and suicide with this disorder, anyone who may be suffering from it should seek medical help as quickly as possible.
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