Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder

So bear with me here, I’m going to draw some gray lines…since Summer SAD has been linked, however loosely, to Bipolar Disorder–also a mood based disorder with manic episodes–I am always piqued when I see something in the news about Bipolar.

The New York Times recently ran an article, “The Bipolar Puzzle”   which focuses mainly on the development of the disorder in children.  It discusses attempts to catch the disease early, because researchers think that once you have a manic episode, it’s more likely the brain will have another.

“Some scientists say that a kindling process may happen with mania, too — that simply experiencing a manic episode could make it more likely that a particular brain will continue to do so. They say this explains why, once a person has had a manic episode, there is a 90 percent chance that he will have another.

Kiki Chang, director of the pediatric bipolar-disorders program at Stanford, has embraced the kindling theory. “We are interested in looking at medication not just to treat and prevent future episodes, but also to get in early and — this is the controversial part — to prevent the manic episode,” he told me. “Once you’ve had a manic episode, you’ve already crossed the threshold, you’ve jumped off the bridge: it’s done. The chances that you’re going to have another episode are extremely high.””

I wonder if this happens to some people with Summer SAD, too.  I noticed that now I’ve had a few “manic” type episodes, my mood swinging amazingly with the weather, the onset of an ‘episode’ is so much more distinct to me.  Even with the Autumn Equinox this year, I could sense something different, something better, and it was like I’d taken a dose of happy pills.  I can feel the changes in my mood coming almost before it happens.  And when it happens, it’s a much stronger, palpable feeling, than in when I first developed this.  Part of it might be because I’m simply more aware of my condition–who knows.  And even though I’ve moved to a cooler climate, I still have this.  Luckily it’s not strong enough to get me depressed, but yet it’s still there!

 I just thought I’d throw this out there in case anyone was interested, or had had similar/different experiences…..

In my dreams……( I just hope those aren’t bats coming to get her!)

I found the picture here

I feel different this morning–like my body has been projecting out of itself all summer, and now it’s stepping back in (I should clarify…’projecting out’ as in I have not been “in” myself or my body…like my sense of self  has been hovering around like a ghost, shadowing myself, and lost in purgatory!).  I don’t think it’s a coincidence that today marks the Autumn Equinox.  Thank-the-rotation-of-Earth, peace is here again!

Does anyone else feel the change?

I’m totally thrilled with the interview! They even have a four picture slide show of me, and the entire transcript! Here is the transcript of the interview and there is a link to the podcast.

http://weekendamerica.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/05/22/seasons/

I just got back from the Frank Stanton Studios in downtown Los Angeles where Marketplace/Weekend America/SCPR/KPCC are partially produced or taped. I met with the engineer Tim Bomba, who was wonderful and brought me a cup of tea. Tim had even investigated my name, and discovered that ironically Saskia might mean “valley of light”, haha! Tim was also kind enough to take the picture of me posted below!

They set me up with earphones and sat me in front of the mic, where I was introduced to Desiree Cooper, one of the familiar voices of NPR (and a Winter SAD sufferer!). We actually spent a long time talking about Summer SAD, and of course they had me do a few runs of “goodbye” and “hello,” and repeat a few answers. Of course in true Saskia fashion I rambled on a bit, so I’m sure they can dig out one or two good sound clips! I don’t know that much about radio but from my experience today it seems like a fun job to have.

The piece will probably only be a few minutes long, and should air this weekend on “Weekend America” at 1pm on Saturday on your local public radio station. I’m hoping I’ll be able to post the podcast or even better just the segment clip–I’ll see what I can do. Although I cringe at the idea of hearing myself on the radio, I’m very excited to hear how they put everything together!

Weekend America just contacted me and some other Summer SAD bloggers (http://community.livejournal.com/summer_s_a_d/) about being interviewed for a short segment they’re running this weekend about Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder. Coolio!! It’s supposed to be just a short 2-3 minute bit but hopefully it will raise more awareness. The link to the live journal website also has more information.

It sounds strange, but Nature recently ran an article called Thyrotropin Triggers Birdsong, which details how TSH (a thyroid precursor hormone) may influence seasonal reproductive behavior in birds. Basically, there may be a cellular explanation for light induced behaviors!

It has been known for over 40 years that day length triggers the Spring breeding season in birds, and the mating songs we all enjoy (well in the case of my local mockingbird, not so!). No one knew how this was happening, until recently when two researchers discovered a cellular explanation that TSH functions not only as a thyroid stimulating hormone, but also in the birds as an indirect signal for the pituitary gland to secrete sex organ hormones. This is mainly via discovering that an area called the pars tuberalis, on the surface of the hypothalamus, also produces TSH.

All of us with thyroid disease know that TSH is produced by the pituitary to make T3 and T4, which is what is in those thyroid tablets we depend on. T3 and T4 are known to be involved in metabolism and thermogenesis (heat generation). But the researchers discovered they could induce breeding conditions in birds by injecting TSH into their brains, concluding that the thyroid hormones are like a shot of a summer’s day length of light.

The researchers concluded that since humans also produce TSH in the pars tuberalis, it might also affect us as it does birds but manifesting in human concerns such as seasonal affective disorder and even infertility problems.  This is of course not necessarily to say that by injecting TSH into a human’s hypothalamus would stimulate our sex hormones (who knows!) but it could have developed other pathways in our brain, triggering different behaviors.

But still, it’s fun to speculate: Winter SAD prescriptions for shots of a speciality TSH blend to give you that “summer feeling”, lol! But I think Summer SAD people are more complex……unfortunately, we still don’t know the why, who, what, etc.

Now, I have to say I have central hypothyroidism (dysfunction of pituitary, hypothalamus, or hypothalamic-pituitary). It wouldn’t surprise me at all to learn that something in my brain is messed up in terms of light signals stimulating a cellular response, whether it be over or under-stimulation. Who knows! But it seems like science is slowly starting to unravel some potential answers/therapies to SAD.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v452/n7185/abs/nature06738.html;jsessionid=60B791215798BC06D1A5704C74A4E97D

Ack! Wordpress just lost my post, so here it goes again.

So this second hot-as-sin heatwave in Los Angeles has nudged me into accepting that, yes, summer is here once again. Time to dust off the old Summer SAD website and make all the improvements I’ve been talking about! More information, more tips on how to cope, an improved forum/bulletin board, and maybe a chat room that actually works!

It has been nearly one year since I started the site, coinciding with the LA Times article about Summer SAD. While I didn’t do everything I wanted with the site, I did feel like it was successful in helping some people, including myself! I’ve just had another journalist inquire about Summer SAD in Britain, so word about the disorder seems to be still gaining interest–any Brits with Summer SAD email me and I’ll put you in touch with her–she might feature you in an article!

I’ve learned a lot over the past year, and want to re-write a few of my thoughts on Summer SAD. So it’s time to wipe the sweat off the brow, crank up the a/c, and get to work!!

So my blood tests say there is something wrong with me. I’ve been slapped with the label of “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”. In the past I’ve embraced a diagnosis, so why am I so ambivalent about CFS? It’s hard for me to accept the blood tests actually say there is something wrong with me. Is this really my life?

I’m hoping righting these will put me back on my feet, but deep down I wonder how much my Summer SAD has to do with developing this. If I moved, would I be happier, and then find my health improve. How much does the environment affect my health? and my happiness?

I’ve had a rough 10 years and maybe my body is just done taking the punches. Perhaps the Summer SAD just pushed me over the edge? I’m only 31, but feel like I’m 91! Does anyone out there with Summer SAD have CFS? I really resisted the diagnosis, you know, as ten years ago they tried to say I had it (among other bogus things like “a woman’s psychological problems”, and yes my jaw dropped when the imbecile doctor said that) when it was actually Celiac Disease.  But now they’re saying CFS again because I have very low thyroid, insufficient adrenals, and low progesterone and pregnenolone.  I guess I’ll have to wait and see once they get these hormonal levels back up to see if my symptoms all go away.

Anyway, I suppose I’m just posting this to get it out there. By writing it out, I’m forced to confront it! A bit like an AA meeting where you announce it to everyone, I suppose. I guess I should just treat this as a journey. You know that is an encouraging idea to me…so I’ll leave it at that!

All I want to do lately is go on long hikes, play tennis, go swimming outdoors…I even spent part of Saturday bathing (nekkid!) in a pool of light on my bed..it felt wonderful and restorative.  It’s nice to reconsider my relationship with the sun, and with light.

I also read that exposure to sunlight is important in combating P.M.S. so we’ll see if it helps!