Archive for November, 2010

09.11.2010 Functional Medicine Pearls 31 Comments

Depression, Anxiety, and Alaska’s Infamous SADS (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

Winter Season Means Winter Blues

Do you find yourself more depressed the darker it gets outside? Do you deal with depression but are too embarrassed to do anything to treat it? Depression is a common illness. You should NOT feel guilty or embarrassed about the way you feel. You didn’t choose for it to happen, it just happened. And what’s worse, it happened to you.

Common signs and symptoms of depression

  • Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. A bleak outlook—nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation.
  • Loss of interest in daily activities. No interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or sex. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
  • Appetite or weight changes. Significant weight loss or weight gain—a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month.
  • Sleep changes. Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping (also known as hypersomnia).
  • Irritability or restlessness. Feeling agitated, restless, or on edge. Your tolerance level is low; everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
  • Loss of energy. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
  • Self-loathing. Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.
  • Concentration problems. Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
  • Unexplained aches and pains. An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.

Statistics on depression

  • 15% of the population of most developed countries suffers severe depression. (World Health Organization (WHO) report quoted in BBC-Online January 9, 2001).
  • 30% of women are depressed. Men’s figures were previously thought to be half that of women, but new estimates are higher. (National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). “The Numbers Count: Mental Illness in America,” Science on Our Minds Fact Sheet Series).
  • 54% of people believe depression is a personal weakness. (National Mental Health Association (NMHA) study reported in MSNBC Health Today, March 10, 2004).
  • 41% of depressed women are too embarrassed to seek help. (NMHA Survey, 1996. NMHA factsheet on women and depression)
  • 80% of depressed people are not currently having any treatment. (“National Healthcare Quality Report”, 2003).

The GOOD NEWS IS…WE CAN HELP! People every day confront their depression get help. Depression is not new, and treatment options keep getting better and broader. Whether you medication or alternative therapies, our providers are well qualified to help. Many people fear that their Doctor will just shove some sort of treatment at them once they hear the word “depression”. We realize that depression is a case by case situation and there are several different causes and treatment options. We listen and work hand in hand with you to come up with an appropriate treatment plan that you are happy with.

So, the question is, when do you want to be happy? Call now and we’ll help you on your way to being independently healthy, because when you’re healthy, you’re happy!