Psychology

Monday, March 3
I. Visit the following blog posts and links:
S.A.D.
http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2007/11/seasonal-affective-disorder.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195/DSECTION=10
What tips can you incorporate into your daily life to manage the effects of S.A.D.? (Which suggestions could you realistically incorporate into your life today?)
Extra Credit: (Choose one of two options)
Option #1) See the link below on the research behind exercise and depression:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-02-18-brain-spark_N.htm
Go for a 20 minute walk outside. In the comments section, tell me the date and time of your walk and if your mood improved after the walk.
Option #2) See the link below for reasearch on the "Helpers High":
http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2007/10/helpers-high.html
Volunteer for a worthy cause (environmental, children's, animal rights, etc.) In the comments section, tell me what you did and when you did it. Do you think the research is right? Did you feel the "helpers high"?
Here are some links to inspire you:
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2401445845131091225&postID=8672382646946865192
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2401445845131091225&postID=688326274131973305
http://www.freerice.com/
http://www.epa.gov/teachers/community-svc-projects.htm
http://charityguide.org/volunteer/fewhours.htm
Postpartum Depression
http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2007/12/mood-disorders-post-partum-depression.html

(What preventative measures can expectant and new mothers and their loved-ones take to deal with P.P.D.?)

Post your responses in the comments section.

II. Go here:
http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2008/02/psychology.html and take the "True Colors" Personality Test.

Comments

Campbell 3 said…
Going outside and running will help me if I am feeling down. Getting light and being alone just thinking what has happened can help me.
Anonymous said…
Mothers could just make sure they have help with taking care of thier baby.. if they have people keeping they up to date so they dont get too stressed out, I think it would help out new mothers greatly.

(my S.A.D. post is on the Nov. 26th post)
wilson3 said…
One way that I would try to prevent myself from getting S.A.D. is by getting outside and walking on nice days in the winter. I personally have no problem with the cold so I would not mind this. I also would get to the gym and work out during the winter just to keep myself occupied. I would spend my time worrying about other things than the winter and how miserable it is.
Being outside and doing things that make yourself feel good and happy are great things to do durring this time of year. Even though it sometimes takes alot of energy to go out and do anything it will make you feel better in the long run,
ckupsh3 said…
To treat PPD, the new mother should get as much rest as possible, accept help from family and friends, and connect with other new mothers, because just talking to people who know what you're going through helps a lot. Counseling and medication can also help a lot if the mother doesn't think that anything else is working.
To treat SAD, the best thing to do is exercise, because it just makes you feel better generally, and if you exercise in the sun, you get endorphins and time in the sun, which will make you happier. If you have SAD, you should also let as much light into your house as possible. It's also a good idea to keep socializing with your friend and family, because when you're depressed, you need as much uplifting as you can get. The website also suggested taking a vacation, but I think that a lot of people that have SAD probably don't have the time or the money to do that.
corcoran3 said…
To treat PPD, new mothers can receive counseling, use antidepressants, and shock therapy. Some antidepressants have a risk of harming the baby because it gets into the milk, so they have to be careful with what they are using. Also having support from family and help with caring for the baby might take some stress away from the new mother.
Beranek said…
Things I can incorporate into my daily life to prevent depression include: going outside whanever I get a chance, exercise regularily, rest and eat a balanced diet, and take time to relax.
gander3 said…
Heyy! Mrs.H-G! this is Kim Gander and Paige Schneider...

S.A.D- we can get excercise, get out doors whenever we can on sunny days, be around our loved ones, or take time to take care of ourselves! other wise a more expensive route would be to get therapy or go on a vacation where its sunny and warmer!
ryan3 said…
I think that a couple of times a week, some of our classes should go outside, or somewhere that there's not artificial lighting, like in the commons. Even being in the sunlight makes me feel better. For PPD, the moms should have help available whenever, and get enough sleep.
Palmer2 said…
You could try and exercise, get sun light, go on walks, get therapy and try to spend time outdoors.
P.P.D should fade in a few days, or weeks, but if it doesn't you need to get help. You could get counseling, Antidepressants, hormone therapy, Antipsychotic agents, Lithium and electroconvulsive therapy to help wiht P.P.D
TravelTheWorld said…
Going outside and exercising, doing things like playing basketball in the park with friends. Also making sure i eat healthy will help me along with socializing and taking vacations with family and friends. Mothers should get counseling if they're worried about P.P.D. or they could get antidepressants or hormone therapy but i think counseling is probably the best. Mothers with P.P.P. need to talk with Antipsychotic agents, take lithium, or resort to electorconvulsive therapy.
noble said…
If I suffered from S.A.D. I would probably try to be outside on sunny days because sunlight would make me feel better. I would also go outside and run or maybe go for a drive or work out. I would try to stay busy to keep my mind off of the winter season.
To treat PPD, a new or expecting mother should talk to other moms who have already had kids on how they kept themselves from feeling the effects of PPD. They should also get plenty of rest (if thats possible with a newborn child), and try to stay on a healthy meal plan. If they do experience PPD, they should talk to family and friends to help them get through it. There is also medication you can take if the mother feels like nothing else is working.
allbaugh3 said…
Ways to prevent S.A.D. include going outside to get fresh air, taking a walk or going for a hike, excercising, and just spending time outside to get plenty of light. Keeping yourself occupied and stress free is the best way to prevent S.A.D.
Beranek said…
Mothers with P.P.D. can seek treatment by going to a counselor who will help her find ways to cope with her feelings and solve problems. She can talk with her doctor to find the best treatment for her, such as an anti-depressant. Mothers can make healthy life style choices such as resting, exercising, and eating a healthy diet. She can take time for herself by leaving the house and visiting a friend or spending time with her partner.
gander3 said…
Heyy! Mrs.H-G! this is Kim Gander and Paige Schneider...

P.P.D- as a mother if you realize that P.P.D. is happening to you, you could contact a psychologist and your doctor to get help. If you had this problem previously with your first born child and are expecting again you should have it on your mind that it’s a very big possibility for your second child effect you the same way. If your feeling fatigued and having low self-esteem you could also have your husband help out with caring for the baby to give you some time of rest.
wilson3 said…
To prevent P.P.D. I think that new mothers should accept as much help as possible. That is from counselors with the depression part and accept help from family and friends with the responsibility and stress associated with a new born.
allbaugh3 said…
To prevent P.P.D. mothers should get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy balanced diet, go through therapy, and use antidepressants. Another way mothers can prevent P.P.D. is by having the support of their families to help them be stress free and happy.
kait08 said…
For SAD I think that just opening the blinds every morning to keep the sunlight coming in and trying to get outside at least once a day can be one of the best forms of personal treatment that you can find. And it's very inexpensive. And for PPD, to me one of the best forms of treatment is just someone to talk to that will keep you in check and give you a break from your kids. Also trying to get into a routine and get things back to normal as soon as possible can be an intense therapy and treatment for PPD.
Campbell 3 said…
TO help with P.P.D. in think that you should get lots of help from poeple. but they say that you can get shock therapy, antidepressants( but you need to be careful with them), and get some counseling.