S.A.D.

As the calendar moves on, and Christmas approaches once again, the days in Australia grow hotter and longer. Conversely of course, in the northern hemisphere the opposite is true. The days shorten, and in many countries of the north daylight becomes a fleeting phenomenon. This massive change in the amount of daylight, either more or less of it, affects human beings quite intensely. Short days and small amounts of daylight can induce depression; during the long summer days in such places as here in tropical Queensland, we have what many know quaintly as 'Mango Season'. Here in the tropics and sub tropics, people can be affected in the opposite way to depression, that is, mania.

The short day/winter form of SAD symptoms always start in the the autumn or early winter. The illness generally lasts for between five to seven months until spring, when the days grow significantly longer, and the symptoms disappear, leaving the sufferer perfectly healthy until the following autumn. Many of these people will also feel an increase in energy at the onset of spring.

Dr. Shila Mathew, a board certified psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente Health system suggested that there are four classic symptoms shown by her patients who had been diagnosed as having SAD. These are:

• Increased desire to sleep
• Extreme lethargy
• Depression
• Increased appetite which often leads to weight gain

According to Dr. Mathew, winter depressions can be very very severe in some patients. It affects the way you function and, in some cases, interfere with your personal relationships. Mood certainly changes. Some people become sadder, to the point of experiencing real grief at times. Many of them become very irritable, some become very anxious. Sometimes the irritability can lead to feelings of violence. Many feel drowsy throughout the day. They cannot get "enough of sleep". Some increases their sleep by as much as two hours or more per day. They may fall asleep early in the evening or have a tough time getting out of their bed in the morning, showing all signs of sleep deprivation.

Many experience a severe lack of energy which may manifest as inability to concentrate at work and a lack of vitality. To compensate for this lack of energy, many will go on an eating binge. Many crave foods which are high in carbohydrates. As a result of this overeating, many will put on weight during the winter months anywhere from 9 pounds to 30 pounds. Many find that they have no control on this excessive eating. (At spring and summer months, their eating habits will return to normal and most of them will lose the extra weight they have gained in winter only to gain them back in the next winter.)

Perhaps, the most important symptom of SAD is that all SAD sufferers feel depressed. They feel guilty for the lack of energy and the overeating. They sense a loss of self esteem, hopelessness and despair. Many find it hard to work. The number of "sick days" taken by the SAD sufferers in winter goes up dramatically. Many SAD sufferers will withdraw from the world and avoid social contacts.

The following symptoms are shown by some SAD sufferers; but not all.

• Anxiety: Tension, inability to tolerate stress, phobias.
• Social problems: Irritability, loss of pleasure in being with others and a desire to avoid contact, which could even turn to unwillingness to leave the home or bed.
• Loss of libido: Decreased interest in sex.
• Sleep problems: Tendency to sleep for longer periods. The sleep is restless and less satisfying. They wake up during the night.
• Mood swings: In the spring when SAD lifts, some sufferers experience a dramatic swing in mood and a short period of hypomania, a sudden surge of energy and enthusiasm which brings problems of its own.
• Menstrual difficulties: During the winter premenstrual tension may be worse than in other seasons, bringing irritability, sleep problems, appetite changes and low energy levels.
• Hopelessness: Feelings of desperation and hopelessness, which sometimes lead to over-dependence on relationships, work, home.
• Excessive eating and drinking: Carbohydrate foods, alcohol, coffee.
• Increased sensitivity to pain: Headaches, muscle and joint pain.
• Other physical ailments: Constipation, diarrhea, palpitations.

SAD shows no discrimination. It affects everyone without any regard to class, race or occupation. It gets worse in countries which are far from the equator where there is a substantial difference in the length of day from summer to winter.

SAD affects both sexes. But it was found to affect women more than men. Typically, the disorder starts manifesting when the patient is 20-40 years of age. It, however, had been found in some children and some older adults.

SAD may be hereditary. Many SAD sufferers come from a family where a parent or a close relative suffer from SAD.

It is estimated that ten percent of the population in the USA suffer from SAD. In U.K., Australia and Canada, doctors estimate that five percent of the population suffer from SAD. The variation between the countries may be due to the difference in awareness level of the population of the readiness of the population to seek treatment for the disorder.

Children may be affected too it seems, as many of the known SAD sufferers suggested that they were suffering from these symptoms since their childhood. Six percent of children surveyed in a Minnesota school claimed to experience extreme mood variations during the winter. One percent reported feeling depressed in winter. In a study conducted with 2267 middle and high school students in a suburb or Washington, D.C.. 3.3 percent of the responding students showed symptoms of SAD. The rate of SAD was found to be higher in post pubertal girls. The study concluded that between 1.7 percent and 5.5 percent of children between the ages 9-19 years may have SAD. They also have speculated that there is a relationship between SAD and puberty.

SAD Children (no pun intended) often suffer from fatigue and irritability, but not necessarily depression. They are generally aware that something is wrong, very often, they will blame their problem on external factors such as someone is "picking on them" Usually, these symptoms are thought to be the result of the onset of puberty or of adolescence. Keep an eye on your children to see whether they experience a seasonal decline in academic achievement, activity or mood.

Almost all children with SAD suffer the following symptoms during the autumn and/or winter months:

• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Irritability

Some will show symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Sleep problems, disturbed sleep, tendency to fall asleep during the day
• Increase in appetite
• Carbohydrate or junk food cravings
• Headaches

Keep an eye for the following tell-tale signs of the performance at school:

• Decline in academic achievements
• Loss of desire to take part in activities, especially sports
• Memory impairment
• Poor organizational skills
• Difficulty in writing

Children suffering from SAD may also show behavioral difficulties such as:

• Withdrawal from family and friends
• Crying spells
• Temper tantrums
• Tendency to watch a lot of television without retaining what is seen
• In springtime become hypomanic with feelings of elation, talkativeness, sleepless nights and hyperactivity.

Isn't it amazing when we take a close look at ourselves as human beings. We are indeed very delicate creatures. Who would have thought that simple sunlight, or lack of it, could create physical and mental aberrations?

Once again, this phenomenon highlights that mind - body link that we are more aware of now than we were some years ago. Our body is affected by the way we think, and our mind is affected by the way we feel.

It is critical then, to not only be aware that we are beings who need to live healthy lives physically, but also mentally. We really do need to care for our minds. Hypnotherapy is one of the finest ways of doing that; look upon it as a 'mind massage'.

Many people see me professionally for pure and simple relaxation. It helps them to be healthier, its as simple as that. As the old Latin phrase goes: 'Mens Sana in Corpore Sano'. A 'healthy mind in a healthy body' (if I can remember my Latin correctly!)

Colours, Cigarette Packs and Controversy ....

If the government in Australia has it's way (depending on who wins the Federal Election of course!), there is a plan afoot to change the colour of cigarette packets. To quote 'The Age' newspaper: "..... all cigarettes will have to be sold in plain packets by the start of 2012 under a radical government plan to remove one of the remaining forms of tobacco advertising". This is part of an ongoing attempt to dissuade people from buying tobacco products.

I have no idea what colour they intend to sell them in, but many of us are unaware of the power of colour in marketing and advertising of goods. Think about it, rarely will you see a cigarette packet which is a combination of black and yellow. We instinctively know that these two colours (when together) mean DANGER! It's the tint of a hornet or a bumble bee.

Colour is powerful. It can directly affect our autonomic nervous system. For instance, red can elevate our heart rate and blood pressure, blue can sooth and calm us. It is not by coincidence that sporty cars were, and sometimes still are, red in colour. Conversely, most people would not paint the walls and ceiling of their bedroom bright red!

Here are a few examples of the way in which we are influenced daily by colour:

Black

Black is the colour of authority and power, stability and strength. It is also the colour associated with intelligence (doctorate in black robe; black horn rimmed glasses, etc.) Black clothes make people appear thinner. It's a somber colour sometimes associated with evil (the cowboy in the black hat was almost always the "bad guy"). In the western hemisphere black is associated with grieving. Black is a serious colour that evokes strong emotions; it is easy to overwhelm people with too much black.

White

For most of the world this is the colour associated with purity (wedding dresses); cleanliness (doctors in white coats) and the safety of bright light (things go bump in the night ... not the bright sunshine!). It is also used to project the absence of colour, or neutrality. In some eastern parts of the world, white is associated with mourning. White associated with creativity (white boards, blank slates). It is a compression of all the colours in the colour spectrum.

Gray

Gray is most associated with the practical, timeless, middle-of-the-road, solid things in life. Too much gray leads to feeling mostly nothing; but a bit of gray will add that rock solid feeling to your product. Some shades of gray are associated with old age, death, taxes, depression or a lost sense of direction. Silver is an off-shoot of gray and often associated with giving a helping hand, strong character (sterling in-fact!).

Red

If you want to draw attention, use red. It is often where the eye looks first. Red is the colour of energy. It's associated with movement and excitement. People surrounded by red find their heart beating a little faster and often report feeling a bit out of breath. It's absolute the wrong colour for a baby's room but perfect to get people excited. Wearing red clothes will make you appear a bit heavier and certainly more noticeable. (Some studies show red cars get more tickets but that maybe because the red car owners drive faster or the ticket giver notices the movement of the red car more prominently). Red is not a good colour to over use but using a spot of red in just the right place is smart in some cases (one red accent in a otherwise neutral room draws the eye; a red tie with a navy blue suit and white shirts adds just the right amount of energy to draw the eye (no wonder it's the "uniform of the day" at the seats of government). Red is the symbol of life (red blooded life!) and, for this reason, it's the colour worn by brides in China. Red is used at holidays that are about love and giving (red roses, Valentines hearts, Christmas, etc.) but the true colour of love is pink. Pink is the most calming of all colors -- often our most dangerous criminals are housed in pink cells as studies show that colour drains the energy and calms aggression. Think of pink as the color of romance, love, and gentle feelings, to be in the pink is to be soothed.

Blue

Ask people their favorite colour and a clear majority will say blue. Much of the world is blue (skies, seas). Seeing the colour blue actually causes the body to produce chemicals that are calming; but that isn't true of all shades of blue. Some shades (or too much blue) can send a cold and uncaring message. Many bedrooms are blue because it's calm, restful color. Over the ages blue has become associated with steadfastness, dependability, wisdom and loyalty (note how many uniforms are blue). People tend to be more productive in a blue room because they are calm and focused on the task at hand. Some studies are showing that weight lifters can lift more weight in a blue gym - in fact, nearly all sports are enhanced in blue surroundings.

Green

The colour of growth, nature, and money. A calming colour also that's very pleasing to the senses. Dark forest green is associated with terms like conservative, masculine and wealth. Hospitals use light green rooms because they too are found to be calming to patients. It is also the colour associated with envy, good luck, generosity and fertility. It is the traditional colour of peace, harmony, comfortable nurturing, support and well paced energy.

Yellow

Cheerful yellow the colour of the sun, associated with laughter, happiness and good times. A person surrounded by yellow feels optimistic because the brain actually releases more seratonin (feel good chemical in the brain) when around this color. It is the colour associated with optimism but be careful with yellow, when intense, it is the color of flames and studies show babies cry more in (bright) yellow rooms and tempers flare more around that color too. It has the power to speed up our metabolism and bring out some creative thoughts (legal tablets are yellow for good reason!). Yellow can be quickly overpowering if over-used, but used sparingly in the just the right place it can be an effective tool in marketing to greater sales. Some shades of yellow are associated with cowardice; but the more golden shades with the promise of better times.

Orange

The most flamboyant colour on the planet! It's the colour tied most this fun times, happy and energetic days, warmth and organic products. It is also associated with ambition. There is nothing even remotely calm associated with this colour. Orange is associated with a new dawn in attitude.

Purple

What colour were the robes of kings and queens? Yes, they were purple, our most royal colour that is associated with wealth, prosperity, rich sophistication. This color stimulates the brain activity used in problem solving. However, when overused in a common setting it is associated with putting on airs and being artificial. Use purple most carefully to lend an air of mystery, wisdom, and respect. Young adolescent girls are most likely to select nearly all shades of purple as their favorite colour.

Brown

This colour is most associated with reliability, stability, and friendship. More are more likely to select this as their favorite color. It's the colour of the earth itself "terra firma" and what could represent stability better. It too is associated with things being natural or organic. Caution however, for in India it is the color of mourning.

Well, there you go! Next time you're tempted to purchase something, be it a bag of sugar, or a new car, check out the colour, and maybe analyze just why you are doing so!

Prescribed drug withdrawal process ...

Medications for depression and anxiety are amongst the most commonly prescribed within the Western World. For some people, there comes a time when they feel the need to withdraw from the usage of whatever their medical expert has recommended.

Dependence of such medications can create within the individual, who have overcome their original mental health issue, a frustrating, drawn out process.

Let me emphasise that withdrawal from a drug in this ilk is not to be taken lightly. Severe side effects can develop if the process is not followed correctly under expert supervision. I would never, under any circumstance advise any of my clients to simply quit 'cold turkey'. There is a specific process of withdrawal, best guided by a medical supervisor.

There are a few websites however which do offer sound advice, and if followed carefully, they can be most helpful. It would be prudent to consult your own health practitioner before beginning the process, but the following site gives some excellent pointers to the correct process:

http://www.theroadback.org/default.aspx

Combine this with a process of erudite hypnotherapy and you may find yourself well on the way back to where you wish to be, rather than where you are.

Good luck.

Hypnosis ... myths and truths

Questions that clients have asked over the years prompted me to Blog some answers ..... there are many myths about hypnosis out there, so let's dispel a few right now ...

The Hypnotist will be able to control my mind.
No one can control your mind, unless you let them. Your Hypnotherapist will give you suggestions that you want to be given, based on the Pre-Hypnotic Interview. At no point during your session will you lose control of your mind. If you hear a suggestion that you don't agree with, or don't understand, your subconscious mind will automatically reject it.


I will be made to perform embarrassing acts, such as bark like a dog, or walk like a duck.

This assumption is based on Stage Hypnotism and Hollywood fiction. The truth is, these people volunteer to act on stage, and they allow themselves to participate in these suggestions. Hypnotherapy is a serious process of self-improvement, not entertainment.


Hypnosis comes from "Black Magic" or is "Supernatural".

Hypnosis is a natural state that has been studied scientifically. Hypnotherapists are not Psychics or Palm Readers with "special powers". Hypnotherapy is based on many years of clinical research by famous psychologists such Milton Erickson and Ernest Rossi.


If I become Hypnotised, I may not be able to snap out of it, maybe Hypnosis is dangerous?

Hypnosis is very safe and is in fact, a state of hyper-awareness. Any time there is an emergency, a person would naturally be able to come out of the Hypnotic state by opening their eyes, and stretching or speaking.


I have never been in Hypnosis before.

Every person naturally enters a state of hypnosis at least twice everyday: just before falling asleep at night, and upon awaking every morning. Most people easily enter "Environmental Hypnosis" while at the movies, watching TV, driving on the highway, or while reading a good book.


Hypnosis is a "Miracle Cure".

While Hypnosis is a relatively quick method of making permanent improvements, there is no such thing as a one-time "Hypno-Miracle"! Every individual makes progress at his or her own rate. Be weary of those who make wild claims of overnight success.


Hypnosis is a great tool to get someone to "confess".

Hypnotherapy sessions are kept private and cannot be used for court testimony (usually). It is not an alternative to a lie detector test. Hypnosis cannot force anyone to "tell the truth" or to confess.


When Hypnotised, I will lose all sense of my surroundings, and will have no memory of the session.

Hypnosis is not an unconscious state of sleep. In fact, most people report having a heightened sense of awareness, concentration and focus, and can even hear more acutely during a session.


I can't be hypnotised because my mind is too strong, only weak minded persons can be hypnotised.

Basically anyone can be hypnotized as long as they do not belong to the following groups of people:
- people who are severely mentally challenged;
- people who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol;
- people who are unwilling to be hypnotised.

Well, there we go. If you have any further questions, please ask. I'm a hypnotist, so this is merely a suggestion ;-)

Hypnosis Cuts Hot Flashes for Breast Cancer Survivors

From an article by Steven Reinberg

(HealthDay News) -- Breast cancer survivors who suffer from hot flashes can reduce these attacks significantly with hypnosis, a new study finds.

Hot flashes are a problem for many women who survive breast cancer. Not only do they cause discomfort, but they interrupt sleep, cause anxiety and affect a woman's quality of life.

"This is a very encouraging study of hypnosis as a treatment for hot flashes in breast cancer survivors," said Dr. Ted Gansler, director of Medical Content at the American Cancer Society, who was not involved in the study. "This is an important topic because of the high prevalence of these symptoms in breast cancer survivors, and because few other treatment options are both safe and effective for this population," he added.

There have been some other studies of hypnosis and cancer that indicate that the treatment is useful, but currently underutilized, Gansler noted.

The report was published in the September issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

For the study, researchers led by Gary Elkins, a professor of psychology at Baylor University, randomly assigned 60 breast cancer survivors who suffered from hot flashes to five weekly sessions of either hypnosis or no treatment.

During each session of hypnosis, women were given mental imagery and suggestions for relaxation and coolness. They were also told to disassociate themselves from hot flashes. In addition, they were taught to use positive suggestions and imagery during self-hypnosis.

Women who underwent hypnosis had an average 68 percent decrease in the frequency and severity of hot flashes, the researchers found. In addition, these women said they experienced less anxiety and depression. They also had significant improvements in sleep and their ability to perform daily activities, compared with women who received no treatment.

"Women are interested in alternatives to traditional hormone therapy and pharmacologic interventions, and this study demonstrates the feasibility and potential effectiveness of hypnosis as an alternative treatment," the researchers concluded.

But since the control group received no treatment, it's difficult to say whether some or even all of the improvement represents a "placebo effect," Gansler noted. "However, the researchers reasonably suggest that the improvement is so substantial that it is unlikely to be due entirely to a placebo effect," he said.

Nancy E. Avis, a professor in the department of social sciences and health policy at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and author of an accompanying journal editorial, agreed that hot flashes are a symptom of cancer treatment that needs to be paid attention to.

"We don't have good interventions for hot flashes," Avis said. "We know that hormone therapy treats hot flashes, but women who have had breast cancer don't want to take hormone therapy," she said.

Many mind-body approaches are promising, Avis said. "The hypnosis study has impressive results, but we need more research," she said. "Based on these small studies, we are not ready to say they work."

Avis believes alternative approaches such as hypnosis are appealing to a lot of women. Many other approaches such as meditation and yoga are available at cancer centers, she noted.

"There is no reason to think they are not safe," Avis said. "The advice is -- try it -- there is no harm in trying. As long as you do it with somebody who knows what they're doing, there are no downsides," she said.

Internet addiction linked to self harm?

From an article by Nick Miller .......

Internet addiction has been linked to double the normal levels of self harm among high school students, in a new study published this morning. However the researchers say it is not clear that the addiction led to self-injury - both behaviours may be symptoms of a deeper problem, a lack of self control.

Researchers from the University of Sydney and Notre Dame surveyed 1618 students aged 13 to 18 in Guangzhou in China.

About one in six reported some form of self-injury in the previous six months such as hitting, burning or cutting themselves.

Just over one in ten reported moderate or severe internet addiction: admitting to feeling depressed or moody when 'off-line', and fantasising about the internet when away from a computer.

When the results were compared, the researchers found that students were twice as likely to report high levels of self-harm (more than five episodes in the previous six months) if they also showed signs of internet addiction.

There was a much less clear link between internet addiction and an increase in lower levels of self-harm.

The authors said self-injury was a complicated adolescent behaviour that did not necessarily involve the intent to kill yourself.

Previous studies had noted a link between self harm and other addictive behaviour.

"In recent years, with the greater availability of the internet in most Asian countries, internet addiction has become an increasing mental problem among adolescents," the study authors wrote.

"Many studies have reported associations between internet addiction, psychiatric symptoms and depression among adolescents."

They said their results suggested a "strong and significant" association between internet addiction and self-injurious behaviour in adolescence.

However they warned it was too early to conclude that one could be caused by the other.

"Internet addiction and self-injurious behaviour can both be considered as part of the spectrum of impulse control disorders," they said. "All these behaviours may be rooted in some common ... factors that require further exploration."

The research, led by Dr Lawrence Lam of the University of Sydney's faculty of medicine, was published today in the journal Injury Prevention.

Mmmm thats an interesting one indeed .... all the best to you .... Dan

Mmmm gimme gimme gimme ..... from the New York Times

Materialism is bad for you, studies say

By Carey Goldberg

(what do you think?)

As a Lexington, Massachusetts, psychologist and couples therapist, Aline Zoldbrod is all too familiar with this picture: A husband and wife no longer connect.

They are so exhausted from the pursuit of "nice things" - a big house, private school for the kids, fancy cars - that they are time-starved and depleted. Life is luxurious but unsatisfying and simply no fun.

Zoldbrod said it is not only her clinical experience that tells her such clients are on the wrong track. It's a growing body of research.

Using statistics and psychological tests, researchers are nailing down what clerics and philosophers have preached for millennia: Materialism is bad for the soul. Only, in the new formulation, materialism is bad for your emotional well-being.

In recent years, researchers have reported an ever-growing list of downsides to getting and spending - damage to relationships and self-esteem, a heightened risk of depression and anxiety, less time for what the research indicates truly makes people happy, like family, friendship and engaging work. And maybe even headaches.

"Consumer culture is continually bombarding us with the message that materialism will make us happy," said Tim Kasser, a psychology professor at Knox College in Illinois who has led some of the recent work. "What this research shows is that that's not true."

The research is more nuanced than that, of course. For people who are living paycheck to paycheck, more money unquestionably brings greater well-being. And for the comfortable, a raise or a new purchase can certainly feel good - for a little while, anyway. Also, economic research indicates that a hunger for money can motivate people to perform better and even more creatively.

There is also a question of cause and effect. Feelings of insecurity incline people toward materialist values, the research suggests, and that insecurity can also lead to relationship troubles and other problems associated with a materialistic lifestyle.

But Kasser argues that when people turn to material things to feel better, they compound the problem, because they seek experiences that "don't do a very good job of meeting their psychological needs."

Ed Diener, a University of Illinois psychology professor and happiness expert, said in an e-mail that he has found that "those who value material success more than they value happiness are likely to experience almost as many negative moods as positive moods, whereas those who value happiness over material success are likely to experience considerably more pleasant moods and emotions than unpleasant moods and emotions."

Studies show that poor people who emphasize materialistic goals are especially likely to be unhappy, while in some studies, materialistic rich people show fewer ill effects, presumably because they are meeting more of their goals. But even for the better-off, materialism can create a nagging appetite that can never be satisfied.

Materialism becomes "a more difficult goal than many," Diener said, "because it is open-ended and goes on forever - we can always want more, which is usually not true of other goals such as friendship. With friends, we have them and enjoy them but usually are not taught that we keep needing more."

There's also an opportunity cost to chasing the wrong goals, said Daniel Gilbert, a Harvard psychology professor who focuses on people's flawed ability to predict their emotional reactions. When people spend their effort pursuing material goods in the belief that they will bring happiness, he said, they're ignoring other, more effective routes to happiness.

So why is materialism so common? The trouble is that the error is subtle.

"If it were the case that money made us totally miserable, we'd figure out we were wrong" to pursue it, Gilbert said. But "it's wrong in a more nuanced way. We think money will bring lots of happiness for a long time, and actually it brings a little happiness for a short time."

Whether warnings from social scientists will make a dent in popular consuming values remains to be seen. Kasser compared the expanding pool of data on the potential harm of materialism to the data on lung cancer caused by smoking. Preachers had long called smoking "the devil's work," he said, but it was only when the cancer connection was proved scientifically that smoking really began to wane.

Gilbert of Harvard, however, is skeptical. "Let's try. Let's give them the data. Let's shout it from the mountaintops," he said. "But let's not be too surprised when all the people in the valley nod their heads knowingly and then go on to covet a Porsche and a new home and tickets to the Super Bowl."