The role of light in the treatment of depression

The light not only helps in the treatment of seasonal mood disorders, but also in the treatment of clinical depression.
In Canada, studies were carried out on a group of 122 depressed adults in the age group 19-60. All patients at an early stage study gained about 20 points on the Hamilton scale. They were divided into four groups, according to the applied method of treatment - at first were patients undergoing light therapy, in another only taking antidepressants (fluoxetine), in the third applied therapy combining light from antidepressants and placebo in the fourth. Patients in the group were irradiated with light therapy after waking by a special fluorescent lamp for 30 minutes.

After eight weeks, it turned out that the best results brought light monotherapy and combination therapy. Generally, patients have tolerated light therapy, although the reported side effects such as increased appetite or diarrhea. At the same time none of the patients evaluated, there were no case of transition from depression to hypomania.

The big advantage of light therapy lamps and light as such, is its widespread availability and relatively low cost with high efficiency. Additionally, surprising speed with which this type of therapy is delivering - fluoxetine because it needs a few weeks to adapt in the bloodstream and produce the intended improvements in well-being, while in the case of the use of light significant improvement was observed after 4 weeks.

Until now, light therapy used mainly for the treatment of seasonal depression, so the discovery of his actions in the case of clinical depression is a kind of breakthrough. At the same time doctors and patients still need to answer many questions concerning inter alia the length of treatment, his legitimacy after the resolution of symptoms, frequency and intensity of radiation. It is not known exactly what the mechanism of light therapy in the case of both types of depression. The answer to these questions will certainly be helpful in the search for an improved method for treating diseases of civilization, which in recent years has become a depression.

Depression after a divorce - how to deal with it?

When a marriage breaks up, we experience extreme emotional states. How to cope with the heaviest?

The research shows that divorce, after the death of a loved one is one of the most traumatic experiences in our lives. As a result, of this suffer the whole family, especially if the marriage that fell apart, there are children. Despite this, every year hundreds of thousands of divorcing couples, and the trend is upward. Divorced spouses experiencing together an average of 14 years, although alarming is the phenomenon of quick divorces among couples 25 years of age.

Why is the divorce? The most common reason given by the spouses are: mismatch (incompatibility), failure to fidelity, alcohol abuse by one of the spouses, misunderstandings financial reprehensible attitude to family members, housing difficulties and physical, sexual mismatch, prolonged absence, ideological differences.

Seasonal depression

The term is often used interchangeably with the term: winter depression, although in reality they are not synonyms. Depression can, in fact, repeat the fall or cover the entire autumn-winter season. Furthermore, there is summer depression, occurring less frequently but in some countries the indicator of the disease is high.

Seasonal depression  does not have to also identify with seasonal affective disorder. The latter concept is broader and includes other forms of affective disorders repeated seasonally. This implies, in particular, bipolar disorders, in the course of which there are not only the depressions but also mania or hypomania.

Depression symptoms in women

Some of the depression symptoms in women  - loss of appetite, energy and interest in daily activities. Women are more likely than men to suffer from depression, mainly due to hormonal changes and social factors.

Oxford English Dictionary defines depression as a pathological state of extreme sadness and melancholy, often accompanied by physical symptoms. In recent years, the number of patients suffering from depression increases. The fast pace of life and the desire to look good and be up to date with everything - these are just some of the factors of depression. Factors biological, social and psychological also play an important role in the onset of depression.

Women are more prone to suffer from depression than men, and sometimes depression in men different from women symptoms. According to recent statistics, more than 15 percent of women taking medication for depression at some point in their lives. And regardless of race or geographic location.

Depression - When to see a doctor?

It should get medical help when depressed mood persists over two weeks, accompanied by anhedonia and a significant reduction in the existing activities of interest. Depression relatively often accompanied by anxiety, difficulty with concentration and memory, which are also an indication to talk with a specialist.

Alarm bell should appear suicidal thoughts.

How to help yourself?

A person suffering from depression - just like any other illness - needs the support of the environment. Therefore, it is good to speak openly about their ailments, if necessary, explaining the close which means the disease. On the market, there are many guides that can help you better understand your emotions and recovery from depression.
You should also look at your lifestyle - physical activity, diet, the amount of sleep. Today the rush of life often leaves us no time for proper care of themselves and it may happen that by the disease organism somehow "forced" us to stop and make changes. Very helpful prove here psychotherapy, which may shed new light on the important issues in our lives. A visit to the psychologist should be treated like everybody else specialist, to which we go to a specific problem. It is important to gain understanding and support, which can significantly help fight the disease.

At the end…

Experience a depressive episode allows certain individuals to make many positive changes in your life. They become more aware of themselves, their needs and emotional states. They change your life - for a fuller, more focused on their own well-being and important relationships. They discover "new" areas themselves, so far unnoticed.
Remember that depression is a disease, which - like the others - can affect anyone of us. This awareness will help us to better understand themselves and others struggling with this difficult problem. Do not be ashamed to ask for help - there are many possibilities for support and improve our well-being.

Depression - What is this disease?

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders. Depression, sadness, depression. Each of these states experienced a lot of time in my life. Are these symptoms of depression?

Depression - Introduction

Sadness, dejection are emotions experienced by each person several times during his life. Their appearance is not always associated with depression.
Recognize this disorder can be only when the states of depressed mood accompanied by other symptoms including further a sense of lack of energy, inability to experience the joy, the low score esteem and it lasts long enough, ie. more than 2 weeks.