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A mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year.

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A mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year.

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Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a rare condition in which two or more distinct identities, or personality states, are present in-and alternately take control of-an individual. Some people describe this as an experience of possession. The person also experiences memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

DID was called multiple personality disorder up until 1994 when the name was changed to reflect a better understanding of the condition-namely, that it is characterized by fragmentation or splintering of identity, rather than by proliferation or growth of separate personalities. The symptoms of DID cannot be explained away as the direct psychological effects of a substance or of a general medical condition.

DID reflects a failure to integrate various aspects of identity, memory, and consciousness into a single multidimensional self. Usually, a primary identity carries the individual's given name and is passive, dependent, guilty, and depressed. When in control, each personality state, or alter, may be experienced as if it has a distinct history, self-image, and identity. The alters' characteristics-including name, reported age and gender, vocabulary, general knowledge, and predominant mood-contrast with those of the primary identity. Certain circumstances or stressors can cause a particular alter to emerge. The various identities may deny knowledge of one another, be critical of one another, or appear to be in open conflict.

According to the DSM-5, the following criteria must be met for an individual to be diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder:

The individual experiences two or more distinct identities or personality states (each with its own enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and self). Some cultures describe this as an experience of possession.

The disruption in identity involves a change in sense of self, sense of agency, and changes in behavior, consciousness, memory, perception, cognition, and motor function.

Frequent gaps are found in the individual's memories of personal history, including people, places, and events, for both the distant and recent past. These recurrent gaps are not consistent with ordinary forgetting.

The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Particular identities may emerge in specific circumstances. Transitions from one identity to another are often triggered by emotional stress. In the possession-form of dissociative identity disorder, alternate identities are visibly obvious to people around the individual. In non-possession-form cases, most individuals do not overtly display their change in identity for long periods of time.

People with DID may describe feeling that they have suddenly become depersonalized observers of their own speech and actions. They might report hearing voices (a child's voice or the voice of a spiritual power), and in some cases, the voices accompany multiple streams of thought that the individual has no control over. The individual might also experience sudden impulses or strong emotions that they don't feel control or a sense of ownership over. People may also report that their bodies suddenly feel different (like that of a small child or someone huge and muscular) or that they experience a sudden change in attitudes or personal preferences before shifting back.

Sometimes people with DID experience dissociative fugue in which they discover, for example, that they have traveled, but have no recollection of the experience. They vary in their awareness of their amnesia, and it is common for people with DID to minimize their amnestic symptoms, even when the lapses in memory are obvious and distressing to others.

Why some people develop dissociative identity disorder is not entirely understood, but they frequently report having experienced severe physical and sexual abuse during childhood.

The disorder may first manifest at any age. Individuals with DID may have post- traumatic symptoms (nightmares, flashbacks, or startle responses) or post-traumatic stress disorder. Several studies suggest that DID is more common among close biological relatives of persons who also have the disorder than in the general population.

Once a rarely reported disorder, the diagnosis has grown more common-and controversial. Some experts contend that because DID patients are highly suggestible, their symptoms are at least partly iatrogenic-that is, prompted by their therapists' probing. Brain imaging studies, however, have corroborated identity transitions.

The primary treatment for dissociative identity disorder is long-term psychotherapy with the goal of deconstructing the different personalities and integrating them into one. Other treatments include cognitive and creative therapies. Although there are no medications that specifically treat this disorder, antidepressants, anti- anxiety drugs, or tranquilizers may be prescribed to help control the psychological symptoms associated with it. With proper treatment, many people who are impaired by DID experience improvement in their ability to function in their work and personal lives.

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Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a rare condition in which two or more distinct identities, or personality states, are present in-and alternately take control of-an individual. Some people describe this as an experience of possession. The person also experiences memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.

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Dissociative identity disorder (previously known as multiple personality disorder) is thought to be a complex psychological condition that is likely caused by many factors, including severe trauma during early childhood (usually extreme, repetitive physical, sexual, or emotional abuse).

What Is Dissociative Identity Disorder?

Dissociative identity disorder is a severe form of dissociation, a mental process which produces a lack of connection in a person's thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of identity. Dissociative identity disorder is thought to stem from a combination of factors that may include trauma experienced by the person with the disorder. The dissociative aspect is thought to be a coping mechanism -- the person literally shuts off or dissociates himself from a situation or experience that's too violent, traumatic, or painful to assimilate with his conscious self.

Who Is At Risk for DID?

Research indicates that the cause of DID is likely a psychological response to interpersonal and environmental stresses, particularly during early childhood years when emotional neglect or abuse may interfere with personality development. As many as 99% of individuals who develop dissociative disorders have recognized personal histories of recurring, overpowering, and often life-threatening disturbances or traumas at a sensitive developmental stage of childhood (usually before age 6).

Dissociation may also happen when there has been persistent neglect or emotional abuse, even when there has been no overt physical or sexual abuse. Findings show that in families where parents are frightening and unpredictable, the children may become dissociative. Studies indicate DID affects about 1% of the population.

How to Recognize Dissociative Identity Disorder and Its Associated Mental Disorders

Dissociative identity disorder is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct or split identities or personality states that continually have power over the person's behavior. With dissociative identity disorder, there's also an inability to recall key personal information that is too far-reaching to be explained as mere forgetfulness. With dissociative identity disorder, there are also highly distinct memory variations, which may fluctuate.

Although not everyone experiences DID the same way, for some the "alters" or different identities have their own age, sex, or race. Each has his or her own postures, gestures, and distinct way of talking. Sometimes the alters are imaginary people; sometimes they are animals. As each personality reveals itself and controls the individuals' behavior and thoughts, it's called "switching." Switching can take seconds to minutes to days. Some seek treatment with hypnosis where the person's different "alters" or identities may be very responsive to the therapist's requests.

Continued

Other symptoms of dissociative identity disorder may include headache, amnesia, time loss, trances, and "out of body experiences." Some people with dissociative disorders have a tendency toward self-persecution, self-sabotage, and even violence (both self-inflicted and outwardly directed). As an example, someone with dissociative identity disorder may find themselves doing things they wouldn't normally do, such as speeding, reckless driving, or stealing money from their employer or friend, yet they feel they are being compelled to do it. Some describe this feeling as being a passenger in their body rather than the driver. In other words, they truly believe they have no choice.

There are several main ways in which the psychological processes of dissociative identity disorder change the way a person experiences living, including the following:

Depersonalization. This is a sense of being detached from one's body and is often referred to as an "out-of-body" experience.

Derealization. This is the feeling that the world is not real or looking foggy or far away.

Amnesia. This is the failure to recall significant personal information that is so extensive it cannot be blamed on ordinary forgetfulness. There can also be micro-amnesias where the discussion engaged in is not remembered, or the content of a meaningful conversation is forgotten from one second to the next.

Identity confusion or identity alteration. Both of these involve a sense of confusion about who a person is. An example of identity confusion is when a person has trouble defining the things that interest them in life, or their political or religious or social viewpoints, or their sexual orientation, or their professional ambitions. In addition to these apparent alterations, the person may experience distortions in time, place, and situation.

It is now acknowledged that these dissociated states are not fully mature personalities, but rather they represent a disjointed sense of identity. With the amnesia typically associated with dissociative identity disorder, different identity states remember different aspects of autobiographical information. There is usually a "host" personality within the individual, who identifies with the person's real name. Ironically, the host personality is usually unaware of the presence of other personalities.

Continued

How Is Dissociative Identity Disorder Diagnosed?

Making the diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder takes time. It's estimated that individuals with dissociative disorders have spent seven years in the mental health system prior to accurate diagnosis. This is common, because the list of symptoms that cause a person with a dissociative disorder to seek treatment is very similar to those of many other psychiatric diagnoses. In fact, many people who have dissociative disorders also have coexisting diagnoses of borderline or other personality disorders, depression, and anxiety.

The DSM-5 provides the following criteria to diagnose dissociative identity disorder:

1. Two or more distinct identities or personality states are present, each with its own relatively enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and self.

2. Amnesia must occur, defined as gaps in the recall of everyday events, important personal information, and/or traumatic events.

3. The person must be distressed by the disorder or have trouble functioning in one or more major life areas because of the disorder.

4. The disturbance is not part of normal cultural or religious practices.

5. The symptoms cannot be due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (such as blackouts or chaotic behavior during alcohol intoxication) or a general medical condition (such as complex partial seizures).

The distinct personalities may serve diverse roles in helping the individual cope with life's dilemmas. For instance, there's an average of two to four personalities present when the patient is initially diagnosed. Then there's an average of 13 to 15 personalities that can become known over the course of treatment. Environmental triggers or life events cause a sudden shift from one alter or personality to another.

What Other Psychiatric Illnesses Might Occur With DID?

Along with the dissociation and multiple or split personalities, people with dissociative disorders may experience a number of other psychiatric problems, including symptoms:

Continued

Are There Famous People With Dissociative Identity Disorder?

Famous people with dissociative identity disorder include comedienne Roseanne Barr, Adam Duritz, and retired NFL star Herschel Walker.

Walker wrote a book about his struggles with DID, along with his suicide attempts, explaining he had a feeling of disconnect from childhood to the professional leagues. To cope, he developed a tough personality that didn't feel loneliness, one that was fearless and wanted to act out the anger he always suppressed. These "alters" could withstand the abuse he felt; other alters came to help him rise to national fame. Treatment helped Walker realize that these alternate personalities are part of dissociative identity disorder, which he was diagnosed with in adulthood.

What's the Treatment Plan for Dissociative Identity Disorder?

There are currently no formal, evidence-based guildelines to treat DID. Many treatments are based on case reports or are even controversial.

While there's also no "cure" for dissociative identity disorder, long-term treatment can be helpful, if the patient stays committed. Effective treatment includes:

Psychotherapy: Also called talk therapy, the therapy is designed to work through whatever triggered and triggers the DID. The goal is to help "fuse" the separate personality traits into one consolidated personality that can control the triggers. This therapy often includes involving family members in the therapy.

Hypnotherapy. Used in conjunction with psychotherapy, clinical hypnosis can be used to help access repressed memories, control some of the problematic behaviors which accompany DID as well as help integrate the personalities into one.

Adjunctive therapy. Therapies such as art or movement therapy have been shown to help people connect with parts of their mind that they have shut off to cope with trauma.

There are no established medication treatments for dissociative identity disorder, making psychologically-based approaches the mainstay of therapy. Treatment of co-occurring disorders, such as depression or substance use disorders, is fundamental to overall improvement. Because the symptoms of dissociative disorders often occur with other disorders, such as anxiety and depression, medicines to treat those co-occurring problems, if present, are sometimes used in addition to psychotherapy.

Sources

SOURCES:

National Alliance on Mental Illness: "Dissociative Identity Disorder."

Mayo Clinic: "Dissociative disorders."

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Dissociative identity disorder (previously known as multiple personality disorder) is thought to be a complex psychological condition that is likely caused by many factors, including severe trauma during early childhood (usually extreme, repetitive physical, sexual, or emotional abuse).

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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Social Anxiety Disorder: More Than Just Shyness

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Information about social anxiety disorder, including common signs and symptoms, treatment options, and how to find help.

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality, which can be distressing for them and for their family and friends. The symptoms of schizophrenia can make it difficult to participate in usual, everyday activities, but effective treatments are available. Many people who receive treatment can engage in school or work, achieve independence, and enjoy personal relationships.

What are the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia?

What are the risk factors for schizophrenia?

How is schizophrenia treated?

How can I find help for schizophrenia?

How can I find a clinical trial for schizophrenia?

Where can I learn more about schizophrenia?

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Learn about schizophrenia, including onset & symptoms, risk factors, treatments and therapies, how to help a loved one, & resources for more information.

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What having post partum depression is like

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What having post partum depression is like

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“Where does my heart go when I’m so angry because it isn’t here loving my son, it is somewhere else and I just can’t quite reach it. My brain tricks me into thinking how dare he cry, but he’s just a baby and he’s telling me ‘momma I need you,’ which these ears fail to hear with all the screaming”                                                       – Melissa Hoos

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Postpartum depression - Symptoms and causes

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Learn the risk factors and symptoms of depression in new mothers, as well as effective treatment that can help you manage symptoms and bond with your baby.

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What is OCD? by Jonathan S  Abramowitz PhD ABPP

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PTSD is diagnosed after a person experiences symptoms for at least one month following a traumatic event. However symptoms may not appear until several months or even years later. The disorder is characterized by three main types of symptoms:

Re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive distressing recollections of the event, flashbacks, and nightmares.

Emotional numbness and avoidance of places, people, and activities that are reminders of the trauma.

Increased arousal such as difficulty sleeping and concentrating, feeling jumpy, and being easily irritated and angered

Diagnosis criteria that apply to adults, adolescents, and children older than six include those below. Read more details here.

Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation:

directly experiencing the traumatic events

witnessing, in person, the traumatic events

learning that the traumatic events occurred to a close family member or close friend; cases of actual or threatened death must have been violent or accidental

experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of the traumatic events (Examples are first responders collecting human remains; police officers repeatedly exposed to details of child abuse). Note: This does not apply to exposure through electronic media, television, movies, or pictures, unless exposure is work-related.

The presence of one or more of the following:

spontaneous or cued recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic events (Note: In children repetitive play may occur in which themes or aspects of the traumatic events are expressed.)

recurrent distressing dreams in which the content or affect (i.e. feeling) of the dream is related to the events (Note: In children there may be frightening dreams without recognizable content.)

flashbacks or other dissociative reactions in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic events are recurring (Note: In children trauma-specific reenactment may occur in play.)

intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the traumatic events

physiological reactions to reminders of the traumatic events

Persistent avoidance of distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings about or closely associated with the traumatic events or of external reminders (i.e., people, places, conversations, activities, objects, situations)

Two or more of the following:

inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic events (not due to head injury, alcohol, or drugs)

persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world (e.g., "I am bad," "No one can be trusted," "The world is completely dangerous").

persistent, distorted blame of self or others about the cause or consequences of the traumatic events

persistent fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame

markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities

feelings of detachment or estrangement from others

persistent inability to experience positive emotions

Two or more of the following marked changes in arousal and reactivity:

Also, clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning not attributed to the direct physiological effects of medication, drugs, or alcohol or another medical condition, such as traumatic brain injury.
Screen yourself or a family member for PTSD.

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Symptoms of PTSD | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA

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PTSD is diagnosed after a person experiences symptoms for at least one month following a traumatic event. However symptoms may not appear until several months or even years later. The disorder is characterized by three main types of symptoms: Re-experiencing the trauma through intrusive distressing recollections of the event, flashbacks, and nightmares.

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This scale can help doctors realize how severe social anxiety is.

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“It’s weird when another alter is influencing me. Being co-conscious with someone else acting is even weirder. It can be almost like being a puppet - watching your body doing things you have no desire to do.” - Wizard

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We are the world's leading research and educational center of excellence on PTSD and traumatic stress.

PTSD is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or traumatic event. If symptoms last more than a few months, it may be PTSD. The good news is that there are effective treatments.

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Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you've earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member-like health care, disability, education, and more.

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Postpartum Depression is very common, affecting 1 in 8 women during the first months after childbirth. Find in-depth information on postpartum depression including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.

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“There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore.”

― Laurie Halse Anderson, NYT Author

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Seasonal Affective disorder doesn't exist?

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Seasonal Affective disorder doesn't exist?

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According to the many reliable sources such as the scientific American, psych central, American Council on Science and Health, Telegraph UK, etc....

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Around March, some of us take a kick at the snow mounded on the curb and wonder if spring is finally going to drop by. The sun sets before we go home, and the cold coops us up except for runs to the grocery store. All of this amounts to something known informally as the winter blues, because those wintry days and dead trees can put us in a glum mood. But in the 1980s, research at the National Institutes of Mental Health led to recognition of a form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder (shortened, of course, to SAD). Seasonal affective disorder was categorized under major depression to signify depression with a yearly recurrence, a condition far more debilitating than your average "winter blues." Mention of SAD in research and books peaked in the 1990s, and today SAD is considered a diagnosable (and insurable) disorder. Treatment ranges from psychotherapy to antidepressants to light therapy - large boxes filled with lightbulbs that look like tanning beds for your face.

However, a recent study questions the existence of seasonal depression entirely. Each year, the Centers for Disease Control conducts a large cross-sectional study of the US population. A group of researchers realized they could use the CDC results independently to investigate how much depression changes by season. The 2006 version of the CDC study included a set of questions typically used to screen for depression. By analyzing the answers gathered from 34,000 adults over the course of the year, the researchers might detect flareups of seasonal affective disorder. They might see wintertime surges in depression. "To be honest, we initially did not question the [SAD] diagnosis," writes investigator Dr. Steven LoBello, the goal being "to determine the actual extent to which depression changes with the seasons."

Other patterns might emerge. There could be an overall increase in reported depressive symptoms at northernmost latitudes if low light exposure is what brings about a cycle of the depression. After all, light seems to be key. The development of artificial light therapies for SAD patients has relied on links between increased light and increased mood. For those living with SAD, both season and latitude should vary in light levels and interact with depressive symptoms.

Megan Traffanstedt and Dr. LoBello, in collaboration with Dr. Sheila Mehta, searched the CDC's survey results for links between high scores on the depression screen and particular seasons or latitudes. The researchers also looked to see if high latitudes combined with the winter season to raise the frequency of depressed answers more than high latitude or winter alone. Hours of sunlight at a given location and date are available from the U.S. Naval Observatory, so the researchers even tested for links between depression scores and hours of sunlight on the day a score was collected. If light is responsible for SAD, then looking at hours of sunlight should be a sensitive way to detect people with SAD among the general population, they thought.

Instead, the CDC survey revealed no evidence for seasonal affective disorder. The researchers were wary of overlooking SAD trends among the huge non-SAD population, so they reanalyzed answers from a subset of people who classified as depressed at the time of the survey. Still no sign of SAD. No seasonal or light-dependent increases appeared in the depression measures. We might wonder if something was wrong with the phone study, but other well-established trends appeared in the survey data, such as higher rates of depression for women and the unemployed. The fluctuation in depression from SAD was either nonexistent or undetectable.

As you might expect, other researchers have also asked how SAD plays out across the seasons and if it is more common in countries at different latitudes. The results are mixed, and these studies seem to face two problems. One problem lies with the questions being asked. Those questions typically used to screen for SAD, while very specific, are also incredibly leading. Imagine you are answering a battery of questions about how your mood, weight, appetite vary over the year, then filling out charts to compare your habits over the the seasons. You are asked to consider at which time of the year you gain or lose weight, sleep or eat less. Using this standard assessment for SAD, you might reconsider whether you have a yearly mood cycle after all. The CDC telephone survey did not ask the usual SAD questions but relied on eight questions commonly used to screen for major depression. These questions ask about topics not covered in standard SAD assessments - hopelessness, lack of pleasure in activities, trouble concentrating - and concern the past two weeks rather than the past fifty-two. It is much easier to recall how you felt in the recent past than to remember how you felt last October. Our memories can smudge and blot over time, especially if we expect a certain pattern.

This introduces another problem with SAD studies: expectations. Even hearing about the "winter blues" in popular culture could plant confirmation biases, encouraging potential patients (or researchers) to find evidence of SAD whether it exists or not. Our preconceptions are always hard at work, so survey data collected without any mention of seasonal mood disorders is a safer bet for avoiding biases. A person experiencing major depression episodes in the winter might need therapy for SAD or they might need therapy to cope with holiday-time stresses.

Other studies, particularly in Norway, have also called into question how seasonal depression is measured. If changes in sunlight or other qualities of winter can provoke seasonal depression, then why doesn't the Norwegian winter, with severely shortened daylight, report higher rates? Perhaps Norwegian culture helps ward off any negative effects of winter, or perhaps SAD is not what we think it is.

A massive telephone survey of the US regarding depression is a valuable opportunity to track SAD in the population, but lack of evidence for SAD does not prove SAD isn't real. We do know that light orchestrates effects on our health. Melatonin and other hormones certainly respond to light, and there is a part of the brain which takes inputs from the eyes not to see but to keep the circadian beat. It is possible that seasonal depression is exceedingly rare and hard to detect at the population level - some evidence for that comes from a 1998 US survey of 8000 people. It is also possible that cases of SAD are mood disorders which do not share many symptoms with depression. Understandably, people who believe they have SAD remain doubtful, especially those who see improvement after light therapy. If light boxes or light visors can alleviate mood disturbances with no serious side effects, there will continue to be investigations into light therapies as well as other SAD-specific treatments. For now, though, we can't quite reconcile seasonal affective disorder with the stability of the national mood.

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Study Finds "Seasonal Affective Disorder" Doesn't Exist

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Around March, some of us take a kick at the snow mounded on the curb and wonder if spring is finally going to drop by. The sun sets before we go home, and the cold coops us up except for runs to the grocery store.

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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Learn about obsessive-compulsive disorder, including signs and symptoms, risk factors, treatments and therapies, and links to other resources to learn more.

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47 Long Lots Rd, Westport, CT 06880

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How parents can help their kids navigate the pressures of their digital lives - without pulling the plug on the positives

As adults witness the rising tides of teenaged anxiety, it's tough not to notice a common thread that runs through the epidemic - something that past generations never dealt with. Clutched in the hand of nearly every teen is a smartphone, buzzing and beeping and blinking with social media notifications.

Parents, all too often, just want to grab their teen's phone and stuff it in a drawer. But is social media and the omnipresence of digital interactions really the cause of all this anxiety?

The short answer is: It's complicated.

Recent studies have noted a significant uptick in depression and suicidal thoughts over the past several years for teens, especially those who spend multiple hours a day using screens, and especially girls. But many of the pressures teenagers feel from social media are actually consistent with developmentally normal concerns around social standing and self-expression. Social media can certainly exacerbate these anxieties, but for parents to truly help their children cope, they should avoid making a blanket condemnation. Instead, parents should tailor their approach to the individual, learning where a particular child's stressors lie and how that child can best gain control of this alluring, powerful way to connect with peers.

Many of the pressures teenagers feel from social media are actually consistent with developmentally normal concerns around social standing and self-expression.

A Link Between Social Media and Mental Health Concerns

Many experts have described a rise in sleeplessness, loneliness, worry, and dependence among teenagers - a rise that coincides with the release of the first iPhone 10 years ago. One study found that 48 percent of teens who spend five hours per day on an electronic device have at least one suicide risk factor, compared to 33 percent of teens who spend two hours a day on an electronic device. We've all heard anecdotes, too, of teens being reduced to tears from the constant communication and comparisons that social media invites.

Through likes and follows, teens are "getting actual data on how much people like them and their appearance," says Lindsey Giller, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute who specializes in youth and young adults with mood disorders. "And you're not having any break from that technology." She's seen teens with anxiety, poor self-esteem, insecurity, and sadness attributed, at least in part, to constant social media use.

Teenage Challenges and Stressors, Exacerbated

But the connection between anxiety and social media might not be simple, or purely negative. Correlation does not equal causation; it may be that depression and anxiety lead to more social media use, for example, rather than the other way around. There could also be an unknown third variable - for instance, academic pressures or economic concerns - connecting them, or teens could simply be more likely to admit to mental health concerns now than they were in previous generations.

It's also important to remember that teens experience social media in a wide range of ways. The ability to raise awareness, connect with people across the world, and share moments of beauty can be empowering and uplifting for some. And many teens understand that the images they see are curated snapshots, not real-life indicators, and are less likely to let those posts make them feel insecure about their own lives.

Above all, says researcher Emily Weinstein, who studies teens and their social media habits, parents need to keep in mind that it's probably not just social media that's making their teens anxious - it's the normal social stressors that these platforms facilitate, albeit at a different size and scale.

In the same way that different teenagers need different types of social support from their parents, they need different types of digital support, as well. If your teen seems irritable or overwhelmed by social media, pay attention to what specifically is causing those feelings.

"So many of the behaviors we're talking about have pre-digital corollaries," says Weinstein, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. "They're the same sort of developmental challenges that adolescents have grappled with for decades, though now they're taking place in different spaces that can certainly amplify them and shift their quality, quantity, and scale.

"But the idea of wanting to fit in, the critical importance of peer relationships, and the process of figuring out which version of yourself you want to be and how you want to express that identity to others - those features of adolescence are not new."

What's Triggering about Social Media?

Youth and technology expert Amanda Lenhart's 2015 Pew study of teens, technology, and friendships reveals a range of social media-induced stressors:

Seeing people posting about events to which you haven't been invited

Feeling pressure to post positive and attractive content about yourself

Feeling pressure to get comments and likes on your posts

Having someone post things about you that you cannot change or control

In analyses of thousands of adolescents' reactions to digital stressors, Weinstein and her colleagues have found even more challenges:

Feeling replaceable: If you don't respond to a best friend's picture quickly or effusively enough, will she find a better friend?

Too much communication: A boyfriend or girlfriend wants you to be texting far more often than you're comfortable with.

Digital "FOMO": If you're not up-to-date on the latest social media posts, will it prevent you from feeling like you can participate in real-life conversations at school the next day?

Attachment to actual devices: If your phone is out of reach, will your privacy be invaded? Will you miss a message from a friend when he needs you?

For Parents, Strategies on Mitigating Anxiety - Without Overreacting

With so many different stressors, a key piece of advice for parents is to individualize your approach. In the same way that different teenagers need different types of social support from their parents, they need different types of digital support, as well. Weinstein suggests that if your teen seems irritable or overwhelmed by social media, pay attention to what specifically is causing those feelings.

Giller agrees. "Really check in with your teen about what's going on," she says. Parents can and should help support and problem-solve with their teen, but they should also offer validation about how difficult these situations can be.

Don't just take your teen's phone away if you suspect drama. In most situations, it's best to work with your teen around social media expectations.

Relatedly, don't just take your teen's phone away if you suspect drama. Doing so won't get to the heart of the social issue at play - and it could potentially make your teen more upset by separating her from her friends and other aspects of digital media she enjoys.

However, as a family, you can also set screen-free times - whether it's every evening after 9 p.m., on the car ride to school, an occasional screen-free weekend, or longer stretches over vacations and camps. "Many teens say they appreciate" these chances, says education writer Anya Kamenetz, whose upcoming book The Art of Screen Time: How Your Family Can Balance Digital Media and Real Life explores these issues in-depth.

A significant part of your teen's phone habits may be related to her parents, too. " Be good role models in your own use of tech," advises Kamenetz. That means being mindful of your own distracted habit of reaching for your cell, but it also means rejecting the isolation that screen time can generate. Make digital media an opportunity for real-life social opportunities, she says. Share some media activities with your teenager - playing games, watching YouTube clips, or reading up on mutual interests together.

And in most situations, it's best to work with your teen to set social media expectations. "You want to build consensus and get their buy-in," says Kamenetz. Constant surveillance or control won't build trust. Make it an open, mutual discussion.

You want to get teens to put their devices down on their own, says Weinstein, "so that you're helping them build their ability to manage their interactions with and through technology." And that's increasingly looking like a key life skill that we'll all need to develop, now and into the future.

Illustration: Wilhelmina Peragine
We're in a moment where anxiety is running rampant, spreading like an epidemic among adolescents. What can we do? In a series of pieces, we look at how to help teenagers face their fears, build resilience, and grapple with the pressure to achieve - on the road to college and beyond. Read more at What Do Anxious Teens Need?

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How parents can help their kids navigate the pressures of their digital lives - without pulling the plug on the positives As adults witness the rising tides of teenaged anxiety, it's tough not to notice a common thread that runs through the epidemic - something that past generations never dealt with.

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Schizophrenia Symptoms : What Is Schizophrenia?

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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that causes repeated unwanted thoughts or sensations (obsessions). It also can give you an urge to do something over and over again (compulsions). Some people have both obsessions and compulsions.

OCD isn't about habits like biting your nails or thinking negative thoughts. An obsessive thought might be that certain numbers or colors are "good" or "bad." A compulsive habit might be to wash your hands seven times after touching something that could be dirty. Although you may not want to think or do these things, you feel like you can't stop.

Everyone has habits or thoughts that repeat sometimes. People with OCD have thoughts or actions that:

Take up at least an hour a day

Are beyond your control

Aren't enjoyable

Interfere with work, your social life, or another part of life

OCD comes in many forms, but most cases fall into at least one of four general categories:

Checking, such as locks, alarm systems, ovens, or light switches, or thinking you have a medical condition like pregnancy or schizophrenia.

Contamination, a fear of things that might be dirty or a having a compulsion to clean (you may hear this called "obsessive cleanliness disorder"). Mental contamination involves feeling like you've been treated like dirt.

Symmetry and ordering, the need to have things lined up in a certain way.

Ruminations and intrusive thoughts, an obsession with a line of thought. Some of these thoughts might be violent or disturbing.

[Self-Test] Do You Have Symptoms of OCD?

Many people who have OCD know that their thoughts and habits don't make sense. They don't do them because they enjoy them, but because they can't quit. And if they stop, they feel so bad that they start again.

Obsessive thoughts can include:

Worries about yourself or other people getting hurt

Constant awareness of blinking, breathing, or other body sensations

Suspicion that a partner is unfaithful with no reason to believe it

Worries about germs and dirt touching your body

Compulsive habits can include:

Doing tasks in a specific order every time or a certain "good" number of times

Needing to count things, like steps or bottles

Fear of touching doorknobs, using public toilets, or shaking hands

Rituals of washing and cleaning

Doctors aren't sure why some people have OCD. Stress can make symptoms worse.

It's a bit more common in women than in men. Symptoms often appear in teens or young adults.

OCD risk factors include:

A parent, sibling, or child with OCD

Physical differences in certain parts of your brain

Depression, anxiety, or tics

Experience with trauma

A history of physical or sexual abuse as a child

Sometimes, a child might have OCD after a streptococcal infection. This is called pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, or PANDAS.

What Causes the Compulsion to Wash?

Experts believe OCD is caused by an abnormality in the brain's circuitry. Brain scans show brain activity is different in people with OCD. There's probably a genetic component too, especially when OCD begins in childhood. Of all adults with OCD, 1/3 to 1/2 say their illness started in childhood or adolescence.

Why is someone with the disease compelled to wash, as opposed to check or count or hoard? That's not known. It's true that with all types of OCD, you may act out a compulsion to relieve anxiety produced by an obsessive, intrusive thought.

Your doctor may do a physical exam and blood tests to make sure something else isn't causing your symptoms. They will also talk with you about your feelings, thoughts, and habits.

There's no cure for OCD. But you may be able to manage how your symptoms affect your life through medicine, therapy, or a combination of treatments.

Treatments include:

Psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help change your thinking patterns. In a form called exposure and response prevention, your doctor will put you in a situation designed to create anxiety or set off compulsions. You'll learn to lessen and then stop your OCD thoughts or actions.

Relaxation. Simple things like meditation, yoga, and massage can help with stressful OCD symptoms.

Medication. Psychiatric drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors help many people control obsessions and compulsions. They might take 2 to 4 months to start working. Common ones include citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft). If you still have symptoms, your doctor might give you antipsychotic drugs like aripiprazole (Abilify) or risperidone (Risperdal).

Neuromodulation. In rare cases, when therapy and medication aren't making enough of a difference, your doctor might talk to you about devices that change the electrical activity in a certain area of your brain. One kind, transcranial magnetic stimulation, is FDA-approved for OCD treatment. It uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells. A more complicated procedure, deep brain stimulation, uses electrodes that are implanted in your head.

The Role of Family Members

Families often make the mistake of enabling loved ones with OCD. For instance, a person who sees their partner cleaning the house 3 or 4 hours a day may at first think they've got the world's greatest partner.

But that same person may later see their partner is irritable, exhausted, and their cleaning patterns are bizarre. So they may ask whether they think there's an issue. The partner may agree to get treatment because the person spoke up.

In this way, family members can play an important role in supporting a person with OCD. They may steer a loved one toward a diagnosis or help with treatment. They may participate in therapy. There are also support groups for people who have a loved one with OCD.

Some separate conditions are similar to OCD. They involve obsessions with things like:

Your looks (body dysmorphic disorder)

Collecting, arranging, or ordering things(hoarding disorder)

Pulling out/eating your hair(trichotillomania)

Picking at your skin (excoriation)

Worrying about your physical health (hypochondriasis)

Body odor or how you smell (olfactory reference syndrome)

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Unwanted thoughts or habits that stand in the way of everyday life may be obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Learn about its symptoms and treatment.

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"What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do." -Bob Dylan

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"What's money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do." -Bob Dylan

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“PTSD: It's not the person refusing to let go of the past, but the past refusing to let go of the person. When we feel weak, we drop our heads on the shoulders of others.”

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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BYxmbw3zMPO0vViEiKpk9vRtoHE3ORVQ-jmOdxX5EpE/edit?usp=sharing

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Overview

Tourette (too-RET) syndrome is a disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds (tics) that can't be easily controlled. For instance, you might repeatedly blink your eyes, shrug your shoulders or blurt out unusual sounds or offensive words.

Tics typically show up between ages 2 and 15, with the average being around 6 years of age. Males are about three to four times more likely than females to develop Tourette syndrome.

Although there's no cure for Tourette syndrome, treatments are available. Many people with Tourette syndrome don't need treatment when symptoms aren't troublesome. Tics often lessen or become controlled after the teen years.

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Symptoms

Tics - sudden, brief, intermittent movements or sounds - are the hallmark sign of Tourette syndrome. They can range from mild to severe. Severe symptoms might significantly interfere with communication, daily functioning and quality of life.

Tics are classified as:

Simple tics. These sudden, brief and repetitive tics involve a limited number of muscle groups.

Complex tics. These distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involve several muscle groups.

Tics can also involve movement (motor tics) or sounds (vocal tics). Motor tics usually begin before vocal tics do. But the spectrum of tics that people experience is diverse.

In addition, tics can:

Vary in type, frequency and severity

Worsen if you're ill, stressed, anxious, tired or excited

Occur during sleep

Change over time

Worsen in the early teenage years and improve during the transition into adulthood

Before the onset of motor or vocal tics, you'll likely experience an uncomfortable bodily sensation (premonitory urge) such as an itch, a tingle or tension. Expression of the tic brings relief. With great effort, some people with Tourette syndrome can temporarily stop or hold back a tic.

When to see a doctor

See your child's pediatrician if you notice your child displaying involuntary movements or sounds.

Not all tics indicate Tourette syndrome. Many children develop tics that go away on their own after a few weeks or months. But whenever a child shows unusual behavior, it's important to identify the cause and rule out serious health problems.

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Causes

The exact cause of Tourette syndrome isn't known. It's a complex disorder likely caused by a combination of inherited (genetic) and environmental factors. Chemicals in the brain that transmit nerve impulses (neurotransmitters), including dopamine and serotonin, might play a role.

Risk factors

Risk factors for Tourette syndrome include:

Family history. Having a family history of Tourette syndrome or other tic disorders might increase the risk of developing Tourette syndrome.

Sex. Males are about three to four times more likely than females to develop Tourette syndrome.

Complications

People with Tourette syndrome often lead healthy, active lives. However, Tourette syndrome frequently involves behavioral and social challenges that can harm your self-image.

Conditions often associated with Tourette syndrome include:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Autism spectrum disorder

Learning disabilities

Sleep disorders

Depression

Anxiety disorders

Pain related to tics, especially headaches

Anger-management problems

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Tourette (too-RET) syndrome is a disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds (tics) that can't be easily controlled. For instance, you might repeatedly blink your eyes, shrug your shoulders or blurt out unusual sounds or offensive words. Tics typically show up between ages 2 and 15, with the average being around 6 years of age.

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Overview

Anorexia (an-o-REK-see-uh) nervosa - often simply called anorexia - is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of weight. People with anorexia place a high value on controlling their weight and shape, using extreme efforts that tend to significantly interfere with their lives.

To prevent weight gain or to continue losing weight, people with anorexia usually severely restrict the amount of food they eat. They may control calorie intake by vomiting after eating or by misusing laxatives, diet aids, diuretics or enemas. They may also try to lose weight by exercising excessively. No matter how much weight is lost, the person continues to fear weight gain.

Anorexia isn't really about food. It's an extremely unhealthy and sometimes life-threatening way to try to cope with emotional problems. When you have anorexia, you often equate thinness with self-worth.

Anorexia, like other eating disorders, can take over your life and can be very difficult to overcome. But with treatment, you can gain a better sense of who you are, return to healthier eating habits and reverse some of anorexia's serious complications.

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Symptoms

The physical signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa are related to starvation. Anorexia also includes emotional and behavioral issues involving an unrealistic perception of body weight and an extremely strong fear of gaining weight or becoming fat.

It may be difficult to notice signs and symptoms because what is considered a low body weight is different for each person, and some individuals may not appear extremely thin. Also, people with anorexia often disguise their thinness, eating habits or physical problems.

Physical symptoms

Physical signs and symptoms of anorexia may include:

Extreme weight loss or not making expected developmental weight gains

Thin appearance

Abnormal blood counts

Fatigue

Insomnia

Dizziness or fainting

Bluish discoloration of the fingers

Hair that thins, breaks or falls out

Soft, downy hair covering the body

Absence of menstruation

Constipation and abdominal pain

Dry or yellowish skin

Intolerance of cold

Irregular heart rhythms

Low blood pressure

Dehydration

Swelling of arms or legs

Eroded teeth and calluses on the knuckles from induced vomiting

Some people who have anorexia binge and purge, similar to individuals who have bulimia. But people with anorexia generally struggle with an abnormally low body weight, while individuals with bulimia typically are normal to above normal weight.

Emotional and behavioral symptoms

Behavioral symptoms of anorexia may include attempts to lose weight by:

Severely restricting food intake through dieting or fasting

Exercising excessively

Bingeing and self-induced vomiting to get rid of food, which may include the use of laxatives, enemas, diet aids or herbal products

Emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms may include:

Preoccupation with food, which sometimes includes cooking elaborate meals for others but not eating them

Frequently skipping meals or refusing to eat

Denial of hunger or making excuses for not eating

Eating only a few certain "safe" foods, usually those low in fat and calories

Adopting rigid meal or eating rituals, such as spitting food out after chewing

Not wanting to eat in public

Lying about how much food has been eaten

Fear of gaining weight that may include repeated weighing or measuring the body

Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws

Complaining about being fat or having parts of the body that are fat

Covering up in layers of clothing

Flat mood (lack of emotion)

Social withdrawal

Irritability

Insomnia

Reduced interest in sex

When to see a doctor

Unfortunately, many people with anorexia don't want treatment, at least initially. Their desire to remain thin overrides concerns about their health. If you have a loved one you're worried about, urge her or him to talk to a doctor.

If you're experiencing any of the problems listed above, or if you think you may have an eating disorder, get help. If you're hiding your anorexia from loved ones, try to find a person you trust to talk to about what's going on.

Causes

The exact cause of anorexia is unknown. As with many diseases, it's probably a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors.

Biological. Although it's not yet clear which genes are involved, there may be genetic changes that make some people at higher risk of developing anorexia. Some people may have a genetic tendency toward perfectionism, sensitivity and perseverance - all traits associated with anorexia.

Psychological. Some people with anorexia may have obsessive-compulsive personality traits that make it easier to stick to strict diets and forgo food despite being hungry. They may have an extreme drive for perfectionism, which causes them to think they're never thin enough. And they may have high levels of anxiety and engage in restrictive eating to reduce it.

Environmental. Modern Western culture emphasizes thinness. Success and worth are often equated with being thin. Peer pressure may help fuel the desire to be thin, particularly among young girls.

Risk factors

Anorexia is more common in girls and women. However, boys and men have increasingly developed eating disorders, possibly related to growing social pressures.

Anorexia is also more common among teenagers. Still, people of any age can develop this eating disorder, though it's rare in those over 40. Teens may be more at risk because of all the changes their bodies go through during puberty. They may also face increased peer pressure and be more sensitive to criticism or even casual comments about weight or body shape.

Certain factors increase the risk of anorexia, including:

Genetics. Changes in specific genes may put certain people at higher risk of anorexia. Those with a first-degree relative - a parent, sibling or child - who had the disorder have a much higher risk of anorexia.

Dieting and starvation. Dieting is a risk factor for developing an eating disorder. There is strong evidence that many of the symptoms of anorexia are actually symptoms of starvation. Starvation affects the brain and influences mood changes, rigidity in thinking, anxiety and reduction in appetite. Starvation and weight loss may change the way the brain works in vulnerable individuals, which may perpetuate restrictive eating behaviors and make it difficult to return to normal eating habits.

Transitions. Whether it's a new school, home or job; a relationship breakup; or the death or illness of a loved one, change can bring emotional stress and increase the risk of anorexia.

Complications

Anorexia can have numerous complications. At its most severe, it can be fatal. Death may occur suddenly - even when someone is not severely underweight. This may result from abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) or an imbalance of electrolytes - minerals such as sodium, potassium and calcium that maintain the balance of fluids in your body.

Other complications of anorexia include:

Anemia

Heart problems, such as mitral valve prolapse, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure

Bone loss (osteoporosis), increasing the risk of fractures

Loss of muscle

In females, absence of a period

In males, decreased testosterone

Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, bloating or nausea

Electrolyte abnormalities, such as low blood potassium, sodium and chloride

Kidney problems

If a person with anorexia becomes severely malnourished, every organ in the body can be damaged, including the brain, heart and kidneys. This damage may not be fully reversible, even when the anorexia is under control.

In addition to the host of physical complications, people with anorexia also commonly have other mental health disorders as well. They may include:

Depression, anxiety and other mood disorders

Personality disorders

Obsessive-compulsive disorders

Alcohol and substance misuse

Self-injury, suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts

Prevention

There's no guaranteed way to prevent anorexia nervosa. Primary care physicians (pediatricians, family physicians and internists) may be in a good position to identify early indicators of anorexia and prevent the development of full-blown illness. For instance, they can ask questions about eating habits and satisfaction with appearance during routine medical appointments.

If you notice that a family member or friend has low self-esteem, severe dieting habits and dissatisfaction with appearance, consider talking to him or her about these issues. Although you may not be able to prevent an eating disorder from developing, you can talk about healthier behavior or treatment options.

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Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of body weight.

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In honor of Tourette Syndrome Awareness month, here are 20 facts about Tourette Syndrome courtesy of the Iowa Tourette Syndrome Association group:

1. One in 100 children have some form of Tourette Syndrome. That is the same amount as children with autism.

2. Less than 10 percent of people with TS swear, which is known as coprolalia.

3. TS is an inherited neurological disorder named after Gilles De La Tourette.

4. TS causes people to have tics. Tics are sudden twitches, movements or sounds that they do repeatedly. People with TS cannot stop these tics.

5. No two people with TS will have the same tics. Each person with TS is as different as every snowflake.

6. More than 79 percent of people with TS also have co-morbid conditions - ADD, ADHD, OCD, anxiety disorders, sensory processing disorder (SPD) and dysgraphia, just to name a few.

7. There are two types of tics, motor and vocal. Motor tics are movements of the body, such as blinking, shrugging of shoulders, limb movements, etc. Vocal tics are sounds people make, such as barking, sniffing, throat clearning, random words, etc.

8. Tics can be simple or complex. Simple tics involve just a few body parts, such as eye blinking or sniffing. Complex tics involve several parts of the body and can have a set pattern, such as bobbing head while jerking arms, then finishing with a jump.

9. Tics wax and wane and can increase and decrease and change throughout a person's lifetime. Tics a person has an a young child could be different and at a different severity than when they are a teenager.

10. Tics usually start around the age of 5 to 10 years old. The first tics are usually motor tics.

11. Tics are usually worse during times of stress or excitement. They tend to improve when a person is calm and focused on an activity.

12. Even though symptoms can change or appear or disappear, the condition is chronic.

13. TS effects males 3 to 4 times more than females.

14. There is no cure for TS, and there is currently no drug out there specifically made for TS.

15. A misconception is that people can learn to stop their tics. They can, at times, hold them in (suppression), but eventually have to release them. Holding them in often results in tension and/or physical exhaustion.

16. Individuals with TS are aware of an urge to time, similar to that of a sneeze or an itch. They describe it as a build up of tension, pressure or energy. The actual tic is a means of releasing or relieving this tension.

17. TS is believed to result from a dysfunction of the thalamus, basil ganglia and frontal cortex regions of the brain. They believe there is a failure in the circuits connecting the brains cortex and subcortex.

18. TS does not affect the intellegence of a person. In fact, most children with TS have above normal to high intellegence levels.

19. Knowledge, education and understanding are very important for people with TS. Educating the patient, family, school and community are key in the treatment of TS.

20. Children who try to suppress their tics while at school have a hard time focusing on what the teacher is teaching. Suppression of tics is physically exhausting, making it hard for them to live up to their potential at school.

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20 facts about Tourette Syndrome you may or may not know

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In honor of Tourette Syndrome Awareness month, here are 20 facts about Tourette Syndrome courtesy of the Iowa Tourette Syndrome Association group: One in 100 children have some form of Tourette Syndrome. That is the same amount as children with autism. Less than 10 percent of people with TS swear

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Moms Talk About Their Postpartum Depression

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What is seasonal affective disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is type of depression. It happens during certain seasons of the year-most often fall or winter. It is thought that shorter days and less daylight may trigger a chemical change in the brain leading to symptoms of depression. Light therapy and antidepressants can help treat SAD.

Five Facts About Depression

Depression is different from feeling sad or unhappy. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away.

Get help. If you think you may be depressed, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Women are affected more often than men.

Without treatment, depression can last weeks, months or years, but most people respond well to medication, therapy or a combination of the two.

Most people with clinical depression who seek treatment see improvement, usually within weeks.

Who is at risk for SAD?

SAD usually starts during adulthood. The risk of SAD increases with age. It's rare in people under age 20. Women are affected more often than men.

What causes SAD?

Less sunlight and shorter days are thought to be linked to a chemical change in the brain and may be part of the cause of SAD.

Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone, also has been linked to SAD. The body naturally makes more melatonin when it's dark. So, when the days are shorter and darker, more melatonin is made.

What are the symptoms of SAD?

There are two types of SAD:

1. Fall-onset. This is also called "winter depression." Symptoms of depression begin in the late fall to early winter months and ease during the summer months.

2. Spring-onset. This is also called "summer depression." Symptoms of depression begin in late spring to early summer. This type is much less common.

The following are the most common symptoms of SAD:

Increased sleep and daytime drowsiness

Loss of interest and pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed

Social withdrawal and increased sensitivity to rejection

Irritability and anxiety

Feelings of guilt and hopelessness

Fatigue, or low energy level

Decreased sex drive

Decreased ability to focus or concentrate

Trouble thinking clearly

Increased appetite, especially for sweets and carbohydrates

Weight gain

Physical problems, such as headaches

Symptoms tend to come back and then improve at about the same times every year.

The symptoms of SAD may look like other mental health conditions. Always see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is SAD diagnosed?

Depression often happens with other conditions, such as heart disease or cancer. It may also happen with other mood disorders, such as substance abuse or anxiety. For these reasons, early diagnosis and treatment is key to recovery.

A diagnosis of SAD may be made after a careful mental health exam and medical history done by a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

How is SAD treated?

The treatments for "winter depression" and "summer depression" often differ, and may include any, or a combination, of the following:

Exposure to sunlight. Spending time outside or near a window can help relieve symptoms.

Light therapy. If increasing sunlight is not possible, exposure to a special light for a specific amount of time each day may help.

Psychotherapy. Cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy helps change the distorted views you may have of yourself and the environment around you. It can help you improve interpersonal relationship skills, and identifying things that cause you stress as well as how to manage them.

Antidepressants. These prescription medicines can help correct the chemical imbalance that may lead to SAD.

There are also things you can do for yourself to help relieve symptoms:

Get help. If you think you may be depressed, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Set realistic goals in light of the depression. Don't take on too much. Break large tasks into small ones, set priorities, and do what you can as you can.

Try to be with other people and confide in someone. It is usually better than being alone and secretive.

Do things that make you feel better. Going to a movie, gardening, or taking part in religious, social, or other activities may help. Doing something nice for someone else can also help you feel better.

Get regular exercise.

Expect your mood to get better slowly, not right away. Feeling better takes time.

Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.

Stay away from alcohol and drugs. These can make depression worse.

Delay big decisions until the depression has lifted. Before deciding to make a significant transition-change jobs, get married or divorced-discuss it with others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation.

Remember: People rarely "snap out of" a depression. But they can feel a little better day-by-day.

Try to be patient and focus on the positives. This may help replace the negative thinking that is part of the depression. The negative thoughts will disappear as your depression responds to treatment.

Let your family and friends help you.

Key points about SAD

SAD is a type of depression that happens during a certain season of the year-most often fall and winter.

There is no clear cause of SAD. Less sunlight and shorter days are thought to be linked to a chemical change in the brain and may be part of the cause of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone, also may be linked to SAD.

In general, nearly everyone with depression has ongoing feelings of sadness, and may feel helpless, hopeless, and irritable.

SAD may be diagnosed after a careful mental health exam and medical history done by a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

Depression is most often treated with light therapy, therapy, and in some cases antidepressants.

Depression and Sleep: Understanding the Connection

Depression and insomnia often go hand in hand. Know the connection between the two, and learn how to recognize symptoms and get treatment for both.

Depression: What You Need to Know as You Age

Get the help you or a loved one needs, and learn the latest expert insights on coping and preventing this mood disorder.

Seasonal Affective Disorder: What You Should Know

The bright lights of the holiday season aren't just for decoration: They can also help regulate your mood. Learn about SAD, which affects an estimated 10 to 20 percent of the population.

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What You Need to Know About Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

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Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is type of depression. It happens during certain seasons of the year-most often fall or winter. It is thought that shorter days and less daylight may trigger a chemical change in the brain leading to symptoms of depression. Light therapy and antidepressants can help treat SAD.

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You will never see social anxiety the same after watching this

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"Bulimia Nervosa is a psychological and severe life-threatening eating disorder described by the ingestion of an abnormally large amount of food in short time period, followed by an attempt to avoid gaining weight by purging what was consumed." - eatingdisorderhope.com

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Anxiety Treatment Center is located in Farmington, CT

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

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Anorexia is a devastating disease with the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric illnesses. Anorexia is not only harmful to the sufferer but to those closest to them. If you have a friend who is suffering from Anorexia, you may have been the first one to notice that something did not seem right.

Perhaps your friend has become less and less social, avoiding activities that you once enjoyed together. Or maybe you have noticed that your friend appears to be more lethargic, less energetic, or frequently tired. You may pick up on behaviors around meal time, such as food rituals, restricting certain foods, fear or anxiety around eating, or avoidant of eating with you all together.

Discerning Anorexia Changes in Your Friend

Whatever the red flags that you have picked up on, friends are often able to discern when things have changed in someone they care for, such as personality shifts or mood disorders. Anorexia is a very complex disease, and the changes that may occur may happen gradually over a period of time.

As your friend struggles with this eating disorder, you may find an increased strain on your own relationship. Your friend may appear standoffish, closed off, or unable to share in the friendship you once had.

Helping a Friend When You Feel Helpless

Watching someone close to you suffer from Anorexia can be painstaking and overwhelming, to say the least. How do you help your friend in need when you feel helpless or uncertain about how to approach such a complicated situation?

Perhaps one of the best perspectives in these types of situations is to know your limitations while not underestimating the power of love and support. This idea may seem counterproductive but it may be a helpful way to approach your friend who is struggling with Anorexia:

Know Your Limitations:

One important thing to understand about Anorexia is that it is a biologically based illness. A common misconception about Anorexia is that it is a disease of "vanity". You may think that your friend simply wants to lose weight or is looking for attention through changes in their appearance.

This could not be farther from the truth. Research has shown that Anorexia is predetermined by biological factors, and these are aspects that a person does not have any control over. Because of these complexities, overcoming Anorexia requires professional treatment.

If you feel concerned about your friend but are unsure what to do, confide in a trusted adult, like a mentor, teacher, or health professional. Professional intervention is necessary to promote healing. The best thing you can do is direct your friend to the help they need while being supportive in the recovery journey.

Offer Love and Support:

Watching your friend struggling with a life-threatening disease can bring out many emotions: fear, distress, anger, resentment, guilt and more. Try to remember the friend you love and care for through all of it.

Standing by them through thick and thin will be an invaluable part of their recovery. Be a voice of encouragement, a listening ear, or just simply staying present. All these things can be helpful during while facing Anorexia.
Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on February 8, 2018
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com

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Anorexia and Friendship: How Do I Help My Friend?

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Anorexia is a devastating disease with the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric illnesses. Anorexia is not only harmful to the sufferer but to those closest to them. If you have a friend who is suffering from Anorexia, you may have been the first one to notice that something did not seem right.

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