Let the Sun Shine In

By Denise Humphrey, Ph.D., www.DeniseHumphrey.com

Spring is a time of renewal. The trees begin to sprout new growth. Flowering buds appear on shrubbery and perennials. And we begin to crave the outdoors. The sun is out, the weather is warming and there is a subtle sense of joy about simply being outside.

If you suffer from depression, or perhaps seasonal depression, the springtime can be a natural catalyst for seeking professional treatment along with other activities that will boost your mood and sense of well-being.

What is depression?

While it is perfectly natural to experience emotional and mental lulls, it is not natural to have a persistent, lingering sadness that prevents normal daily activities. Depression is a mood disorder that affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks and processes information. And while depression is not a natural state of being, it is not uncommon. Approximately 18.8 million American adults, or about 9.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year, suffer from depression.

Symptoms of Depression

A person suffering from depression will feel a sense of sadness or perhaps a loss of interest in life in general. Depression causes a person to lose interest in activities she once enjoyed. Oftentimes, an individual suffering from depression will feel a sense of guilt, a lack of hope and may even have thoughts of suicide. Depression does not just affect a person’s state of mind, it is also affects the physical body. About 65 percent of depression suffers report physical symptoms of pain such as headaches, back pain, tender muscles, and sore joints. Fatigue, dizziness and sleeping too much or too little are also common physical symptoms.

Seasonal Depression

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a term used to describe a type of depression that is directly influenced by the weather. Individuals who suffer from this form of depression may feel sad when the weather is dark, cold and “gloomy” and happy when the sun is shining and the weather is bright and warm. The onset of SAD usually occurs in the late fall and early winter, as the daylight hours are decreased. SAD affects up to 3 percent of the U.S. population (about 9 million people).

Treatment for Depression

Talk therapy has a high success rate for treating depression. There are three types of talk therapy: cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy and problem solving therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on a person’s thoughts and behaviors that may be contributing to depression. Interpersonal therapy is based on the belief that interpersonal factors may contribute heavily to psychological problems. This type of therapy is focused on identifying how relationships affect mood. Problem solving therapy assists the depressed individual in identifying solutions to specific problems that may be affecting their mood.

Let the Sun Shine In

Light therapy treatment is an effective form of treatment for all individuals of who suffer from depression, not just those suffering from seasonal affective disorder. Light therapy involves sitting in front of a specially designed light box that provides either a bright or dim light for a prescribed amount of time each day. Light therapy has become a popular form of therapy for pregnant women who suffer from depression but do not want to take medication. Light therapy is often used with talk therapy as well as anti-depressant medications. Spending time outdoors in the sunshine, especially during the spring and summer, will also provide an additional immune and mood boost. Pair that time in the sun with social activity or time with a pet and experience an additional boost.

Denise Humphrey, Ph.D
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Humphrey today! 972-239-2490

CREDENTIALS
•    Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology:  Fielding Graduate University
•    Master of Music in Piano Performance:  University of Notre Dame
•    Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance:  Southern Methodist University
•    License No. and State: 32345 Texas
•    Board of Trustees, Dallas Foundation for Psychoanalysis
•    Chair, Arts Committee for the Dallas Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology
•    Member, National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology