HEALTHY LIVING Fix Your. . . Blues


EVERYDAY BLUES VERSUS DEPRESSION: Everyday blues usually pass, but when they are persistent and interfere with your daily life, you may have depression. Symptoms include feelings of sadness and hopelessness, loss of interest in normal activities, insomnia, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, and thoughts of suicide.


WHY YOU ARE DEPRESSED Medical problems. Chronic illnesses


such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and arthritis can cause depression. The pain that can accompany chronic disease is also a factor. Seasonal aff ective disorder (SAD). If


you start feeling moody in the fall, but cheer up with the coming of spring, you may suff er from seasonal aff ective disorder, or SAD. The lack of sunlight in winter can shift your biological clock as well as reduce the amount of serotonin your body makes. Major life changes.


The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, a major move, a divorce, or retiring can all trigger depression. It diff ers from grief in that it involves other symptoms, such as low self-worth and thoughts of suicide. Genetics. If you have a family history of


depression, you may be at increased risk. Age. Seniors have higher odds of


depression, which can be aggravated by the lack of supportive friends and relatives. Medications. Some medications, including corticosteroids, opioids, the antiviral drug interferon-alpha, and the acne drug isotretinoin, can increase the risk of depression. Beta blockers used to control blood pressure have also been implicated.


WHAT TO DO Use light therapy. If your depression is caused by SAD, try light therapy. Work or


92 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | SEPTEMBER 2023


sit for 30 minutes every morning near a light box that emits specifi c wavelengths to help compensate for the lack of natural sunlight. Stay connected. Reach out to family, friends, and spiritual advisers for encouragement and advice. Exercise. “Feel good” chemicals


called endorphins are released during exercise. A study at Duke University found that 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise three times a week was as eff ective at easing depression as antidepressants. Try SAMe: Naturally


found throughout the body, SAMe aff ects several neurotransmitters in the brain and may reduce symptoms of depression. One


study found SAMe supplements were as eff ective as conventional antidepressants. Eat a healthy diet and don’t skip meals.


Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and tuna, and folic acid, such as spinach and avocado, can ease the blues. Regular meals reduce mood swings by keeping blood sugar levels stable.


IF ALL ELSE FAILS If your depression hangs on, see a healthcare professional who may recommend medication, talk therapy, or a combination of the two. If you feel suicidal, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.


Sources: WebMD; Mayo Clinic; healthline.com; clevelandclinic.org; Medical News Today; mentalhealthamerica.org; mountsinai.org


SAINT Nolan Williams demonstrates the magnetic brain stimulation therapy he and his colleagues developed on Deirdre Lehman, a participant in a previous study of the treatment.


Magnetic Brain Stimulation Treats Depression


A


double-blind study conducted at Stanford


University School of Medicine found that an intensive, individualized form of transcranial brain stimulation, dubbed SAINT (Stanford accelerated intelligent neuromodulation therapy), caused remission of severe depression in 79% of patients. In the study, remission occurred within days and lasted months with only temporary fatigue and headaches as side eff ects. The only transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment currently approved by the FDA involves six weeks of daily sessions, and only about half of patients improve. The SAINT protocol takes just one day, using 1,800 pulses per session instead of 600, in 10 10-minute intervals with 50-minute breaks in between. Within four weeks of treatment, 79% of the SAINT participants met FDA standards for remission compared to about 13% of the control group, who received a sham treatment. “It works well, it works quickly, and it’s noninvasive,” said Nolan Williams, M.D. “It could be a game-changer.”


WOMAN/GROUND PICTURE/SHUTTERSTOCK / SAINT/COURTESY OF STANFORD MEDICINE/STEVE FISCH


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