‘Tis The Season For SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

If you or someone you know has been feeling moody, tired, depressed, anxious, the autumn blahs or winter blues, you or they could be experiencing SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). SAD is a type of anxiety, sadness or depression that occurs at the same time of the year on a recurring basis. Symptoms often begin in the fall as the daylight hours shorten (often in October or November) and continue into the winter months (ending in January or February). Less frequently, SAD can be experienced by some in the spring with the lengthening of daylight hours (around April) and continues through the summer.

Symptoms of Fall/Winter SAD may include the following:

Feeling depressed, sad, anxious, moody, lacking energy Sleeping more and still feeling tired Loss of interest in usual activities Craving for carbohydrates like pasta and bread Weight gain or loss Difficulty concentrating and processing information at work or school Factors that may be related to SAD: Your biological clock (circadian rhythm). Having less sunlight in fall and winter may confuse your body’s internal clock, which signals when you should be awake or asleep. This disruption of your circadian rhythm may lead to feelings of depression. Melatonin levels. The change in season can disrupt the balance of the natural hormone melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood. Serotonin levels. Reduced levels of sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin, a neurotransmitter that affects mood. Too little serotonin can cause depression and anxiety.Risk factors that may increase your risk of SAD include: Being female. Some studies show that SAD is diagnosed more often in women than in men, but that men may have more severe symptoms. Living far from the equator. SAD appears to be more common among people who live far north or south of the equator. This may be due to decreased sunlight during the winter and the longer days of summer. Family history/environment.  Depression and anxiety syndromes (including SAD) can run in families. Genetics is believed to play a role in some and environmental factors also can be a huge factor. During fall and winter months there are more family gatherings due to holidays (Thanksgiving, Hanukah, and Christmas) and severe weather can cause more confinement of families indoors for extended periods of time.  Family can be supportive and positive- or some family members can be negative and draining (Energy Vampires). We can buy into the negative energy of the people around us; or we can choose to transform the negativity and rise above it (this is what our Shift book series SHIFT: 12 Keys to Shift Your Life and Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation was designed to assist with).Treatments for SAD: 1. Exercises For The Mind and Body: Move! Walk, run, bike, or go to the gym. Practice yoga, tai chi, or qigong. Dance around the room in figure 8’s, and/or wave your arms and move your hips in figure 8’s. Do the ‘3 Thumps’ every morning. Use EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) to tap for your symptoms of sadness or anxiety (watch our free EFT demonstration video if you need a refresher in the procedure or tapping points). Meditate or use guided imagery (our guided meditation CDs are designed to assist) to diminish sense of abandonment, powerlessness, feeling unlovable, fear of the unknown, heartache, guilt, shame, anger or resentment. Any physical activity should help move your energy (externally and internally) and the more often you get off the sofa or chair the better. Massage therapy or acupuncture to free stuck or excess energy in your meridians can also be helpful. 2. Light therapy: In light therapy, also called phototherapy, you either go outside during bright daylight hours or sit a few feet from a specialized light therapy box or full spectrum plant light, so that you’re exposed to bright light that mimics sunlight. Artificial light therapy mimics outdoor light (must include a full spectrum of light) and appears to cause a change in brain chemicals linked to mood by stimulating the pineal gland. This treatment is easy to use and seems to have few side effects. Dawn simulation is another light treatment, a dim light goes on in the morning while you sleep, and it gets brighter over time, like a sunrise. Certain hardware stores such as Lowes or Home Depot have full light spectrum lamps in the garden section. You don’t have to spend a fortune… to feel or see the light. 3. Medications: Some people with seasonal affective disorder benefit from treatment with antidepressants, especially if symptoms are severe. They include: Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Antidepressants. Antidepressants commonly used to treat seasonal affective disorder include paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro). SSRI medications address the symptoms of depression and anxiety with associated insomnia, excessive worry, and decreased appetite. Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (NRI) Antidepressants (Bupropion). An extended-release version of the antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin SR or XL) may help prevent depressive episodes in people with a history of seasonal affective disorder. NRI medication is helpful for depressive symptoms with associated low energy level, poor motivation, and increased sleep. Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake (SNRI) Antidepressants. Medications in this class include venlafaxine (Effexor, Effexor XR), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq).  SNRI medications address the symptoms of depression and anxiety with associated excessive worry, low energy level, and poor motivation.4. Counseling: Counseling (individual, marital or family) is another option to treat SAD. Psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral, insight-oriented, brief solution-oriented) can help you identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors that may be contributing to depression or anxiety. You can also learn healthy ways to cope with SAD and manage stress. 5. Nutritional and dietary supplements used to treat mild depression/anxiety or poor concentration/focus symptoms of SAD include: St. John’s wort. This herb has traditionally been used to treat mild depression and anxiety. Be sure you are taking a pharmaceutical grade and that it does not conflict with medications you may be taking. SAMe. This is a synthetic form of a chemical that occurs naturally in the body. SAMe hasn’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat depression in the United States. However, it is used in Europe as a prescription drug to treat depression. Melatonin. This natural hormone helps regulate mood. A change in the season may change the level of melatonin in your body. Some people try taking melatonin supplements, but discuss this with your health care provider first before doing so as it may be contraindicated with certain medications. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements have been shown to relieve mild depression or anxiety symptoms in some studies. Sources of omega-3s include fatty, cold-water fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring. Flaxseed, flax oil and walnuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids, and small amounts are found in soybean and canola oils. Huperzine. Huperzine-A is a plant alkaloid derived from the Chinese club moss plant, Huperzia serrata (a member of the Lycopodium species). In China, huperzine extract has been used for centuries to treat various ailments such as swelling, fever and blood disorders. During the past few years, Huperzine has been studied extensively for its potential in treating dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease. By reducing the activity of acetylcholinesterase, Huperzine A may help to reduce the breakdown of acetylcholine and may help preserve or even restore memory. While recent studies have shown that taking Huperzine A may help to relieve dementia symptoms and appears to enhance general mental functioning (poor concentration and focus) when it was taken consistently for as little as one month; more research is needed before Huperzine A can be recommended for either dementia or general memory improvement.Additional tools and techniques (specific meditations, energy medicine techniques, qigong exercises, stress reduction tips, etc) for transforming SAD or other obstacles, situations or circumstances which might be causing you to feel ’stuck’ can be found in our latest best-selling book titled Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation by Tracy Latz, M.D. and Marion Ross, Ph.D. (available on Amazon).  In short, you do not have to silently suffer with SAD.  It is important to know that SAD is a real, defined issue for a large number of people and that professional help is available and should be consulted if you become suicidal or consistently feel that life is not worth living.  Severe depression should be taken seriously as it can be a life-threatening illness. Help is available if you find your self in a deep dark hole from which you cannot escape- contact your primary care physician, local mental health center, local hospital, therapist, psychiatrist, or pastoral counselor for further assistance. About the authors: Tracy Latz, M.D, M.S. is a highly respected Integrative Psychiatrist with over 19 years of clinical experience in treating SAD, depression, anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Dr. Latz is a gifted speaker, seminar leader, author, medical intuitive, and is on associate clinical faculty with the Department of Psychiatry at the Wake Forest University Medical School. She is Board-Certified in General Psychiatry, holds a Mind-Body Medicine certification from NICABM and is currently in private practice in Mooresville, North Carolina. Marion Ross, Ph.D, Mh.D. is a transpersonal psychologist, metaphysician, holistic healer, author, and holds a Mind-Body Medicine certification from NICABM. She has successful private practices in France and the U.S. Dr.’s Latz and Ross have co-authored 2 books in the field of Personal Transformation and have been teaching seminars for the past 7 years in the U.S. and in Europe. To learn more about the authors go to their website and other blog at: http://www.12keystoshift.com or http://shiftyourlife.wordpress.com

Two Doctors Hit Amazon’s Bestseller List with Ancient but Revolutionary Techniques to Shift Consciousness

New York, NY – September 30, 2009 (pressreleasepoint) – Over 110 top authors, mentors, teachers and coaches came together this week to support the launch of the new book, Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation by Tracy Latz, M.D. and Marion Ross, Ph.D. which rapidly became a #1 Bestseller on Amazon.

This book is a manual for personal transformation that “will empower you and radically change your life.” Dr.’s Latz and Ross define the 12 Keys – the biggest obstacles we all need to overcome to become present, aware and able to create with new perspectives in our lives.

Dr. Bernie Siegel, who wrote the foreword says, “The lessons to be learned from this book are age old but reframed in ways that are easy to incorporate and appropriate to our lifestyle today. They ring true for me because of my experience with cancer patients who display a survivor personality, exceed expectations and more often survive when no one gives them any hope.”

Jack Canfield, co-author of The Success Principles and founder of the Transformational Leadership Council says, “This is more than your usual book. This is a manual for personal transformation. If you actually do the exercises and meditations in this book, you will radically improve your life. I highly recommend it. “

This book gives profound and genuine practices that help support the reader in transforming their lives. It helps people become aware of where their stress originates. Dr.’s Latz and Ross give bulleted, targeted recommendations at the end of each chapter to show how to most rapidly dissolve the obstacles in one’s life along with real-life examples of how others have shifted their lives with their tools.

This book can be used as an intensive personal healing journey during which the reader shifts his or her situation for a jump start in life; or it can be used as a reference guide to be consulted one chapter at a time whenever a specific issue or challenge arises and stalls forward momentum in life. For anyone truly serious about changing any long-established habits of emotional pattern or thoughts that have them stuck, Shift is the answer. Find out more: http://shiftbooklaunch.homestead.com/bookpromo.htm….

Tracy Latz, M.D., is a practicing integrative psychiatrist in Mooresville, N.C. Marion Ross, Ph.D. is an international business entrepreneur and transpersonal psychologist practicing in New York and Paris. Both Latz and Ross have used the techniques featured in SHIFT to transform both their own lives and the lives of their patients.

Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation also has two companion meditation CD’s available. For more information, visit www.12keystoshift.com

“Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation” Becomes #1 Bestseller on Amazon!

Check out our New Press Release after becoming a #1 Bestseller at Amazon on Tuesday 9/29/2009!!

Two Doctors Hit Amazon’s Bestseller List with Ancient but Revolutionary Techniques to Shift Consciousness

Dr. Arlene Taveroff Reviews ‘Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation’ for Wisdom a la Carte

The following is a direct excerpt of the book review done by Dr. Arlene Taveroff from Wisdom a la Carte on September 23, 2009:

The Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation

Sep 23rd, 2009 | By Arlene | Category: Featured Articles

a new book by Dr. Tracy Latz & Dr. Marion Ross reviewed by Dr. Arlene Taveroff…

Have you ever felt stuck, like your feet were in cement and you wanted to move forward, but couldn’t?

Drs. Tracy Latz and Marion Ross are here to help. Between them, they have expertise in psychiatry, EFT, Reiki, Transpersonal psychology and more. In their new book entitled Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation, they examine the 10 most common obstacles in women’s lives: feeling unloved, guilt and shame, abandonment, anger and resentment, self-definition, lack of self-love, powerlessness, heartache, fear of the unknown and stress. For each, they start by creating an awareness of what the issue is about, and then give you the tools to get past them and get unstuck. Stories of real people overcoming each obstacle inspire and show how it really can be done.

The tools and techniques are easy to use and well explained. They include meditation, guided imagery, mindfulness exercises, EFT tapping techniques, chi gong, and more: a library of tools that appeal to the kinesthetic, the visual and the auditory. Something for all learning styles! I loved a lot of the mindfulness exercises: they were so positive! One had me becoming aware of my true qualities. Wow! I have the results of that one up on my bulletin board! The guided imagery meditations were my favorite, though. They transported me to the most beautiful places and helped me feel so absolutely wonderful!

And so that the book is not just about problems and obstacles, the authors end the book with two additional keys to remain centered and create your life positively and powerfully. I loved the chapter on consciously creating: it was so much what the whole book led up to for me! The explanation of creating was eye opening, and as for the exercises – I can’t wait to Release my Shadow Characters and get into the Garden of Creation, then create an Intention Poster!

There is something for everyone here, folks! The Shift can happen to you. Get those feet out of the cement. Get unstuck!

Click on the picture of the book above to take you directly to Amazon!

About the Authors:
Tracy Latz, M.D., M.S. is an Integrative Psychiatrist, and Medical Intuitive with over 18 years of clinical experience in shifting lives. Marion Ross, Ph.D. holds doctorates in Holistic Healing, Metaphysics, and Transpersonal Psychology with successful practices in Paris, France and New York City. Over the past 6 years, they have taught classes and seminars in personal transformation. More at http://www.12keystoshift.com

Distance Healing Reiki Photo Sent to me By a Friend

Reiki Distance Healing Photo

Free Distance Reiki Healing

Many thanks to my friend Alaa Abo El Hassan from Cairo, Egypt who is a holistic healer and Reiki practitioner and who created this powerful free distance Reiki healing photo. The above link will take you to his site at http://www.healing-heaven.co.cc where you can find out more about what he does. Thanks Alaa! You are indeed a Lightbringer!!

Loads of Light to you as well!

Tracy Latz, M.D.

Join Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D. on Wisdom Wide Open Radio

Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation : The 12 Keys

WISDOM WIDE OPEN

Date / Time: 8/30/2009 6:00 PM

JOURNEY with Susie Bonham-Craig and special featured guests, MARION ROSS Mh.D. Ph.D and TRACY LATZ M.D.,M.S. in PART 1 of our NEW AUTHOR SERIES. Marion & Tracy are co-authors of the book “SHIFT – A Women’s Guide to Transformation”

Tracy Latz, M.D., M.S. is an Integrative Psychiatrist, Medical Intuitive with over 18 years of clinical experience in shifting lives. Marion Ross, Ph.D. holds doctorates in Holistic Healing, Metaphysics, and Transpersonal Psychology with successful practices in Paris, France and New York City.

Why exactly did a psychiatrist and an international business entrepreneur get together to write this book? Both Marion and Tracy felt there was a need to create a book that would assist others who also felt stuck in their lives. During their years of training, they learned that we create powerfully every day with our thoughts and feelings. We create obstacles in our lives when we are unaware. They wanted to assist others with learning what they know. Once you understand these age old, easy to incorporate concepts, you will realize how extremely important it is to identify and cull out negative thoughts and transform feelings of anger, resentment, fear and anxiety that limit your ability to create joy and peace. Whenever you experience disappointment, stress, betrayal, grief, loss, or heartbreak from your life experiences, you are at risk of forming such limiting thoughts.

It is time to step out of the box you have created over and over and paint a new canvas of your life. Tracy & Marion are ready to “Shift Your Life Now!” Are You Ready?

CALL IN on 718-305-6584

Shift Your Life – Marion Ross Ph.D. and Tracy Latz M.D. on The Mary Jones Show

This Saturday August 29th tune in to the Mary Jones Show either on WDRC-AM, WMMW-AM, WWCO-AM or WSNG-AM. We will be on the air from 1:30 pm EST until 1:45 pm discussing our new book Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation.
Don’t miss it!

The Mary Jones Show

Shift Your Life With Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D. On Exceptional Wisdom Radio

Tracy & Marion will appear on the Facing Magic in Midlife show with Kat Tansey & Nancy Marriott on Exceptional Wisdom Radio at 6pm Eastern Time TONIGHT on Thursday August 27th, 2009. We will be talking about our new book: Shift: A Woman’s Guide To Transformation

www.exceptionalwisdomradio.com

Is Happiness Knocking at Your Door?

What's knocking at your door?

What is the key to happiness? Is it already at our door and we just don’t recognize it? Is it a frame of mind, a stage in life, an unreachable goal?

The keys to experiencing happiness are not really such a mystery- but it takes some honesty with one’s self and a willingness to shift one’s perceptions or patterns. Here are a few tips that assist with experiencing an increase in your joy & happiness:

1. Live in the moment- When we are constantly focusing on what happened in the past or worrying about what might occur in the future, we do not even leave a space for happiness to enter. When we worry about “being hurt again” or “the worst case scenario” that might occur in the future, we are living our lives from a place of fear. Fear and happiness are incompatible states of being. Fear/stress also takes a lot of energy and drains our body’s endocrine system and immune system- it accounts for the increasingly diagnosed Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome.

2. Practice less judgment and more acceptance- Recall that we are reflections of one another.  When we judge another, we also judge our self. When we are in a place of judgment, we have difficulty accepting what is occurring in our own lives and thus we resist the only opportunity for transformation (acceptance, forgiveness of self/others & creating anew from a place of empowerment).

3. Practice gratitude- When we focus on the positive in our life, our world, our body, our relationships, we create an opening for more positivity, joy, love and happiness in our lives. When we live from a perception of lack and futility, we can only see more lack and futility on a daily basis. We limit our own experiences.

4. Beware of distractions from painful experiences-  Excessive food, alcohol, substances, shopping, sex, gambling, internet, gaming, etc can be usedwittingly or unwittingly to numb one’s self to overwhelming internal emotions. However, it prevents us from moving forward and creating joy. When we numb an emotion (fear, anger, guilt, shame, anxiety), we numb ALL emotions, including joy, wonder, and love. We can become numb to everything and everyone. We lose our passion and can become disconnected from our Purpose.

5. Be aware of and choose the emotions you dance in- We are a victim of no one and no thing. Nobody truly makes us angry, afraid, guilty, or sad. We choose to become angry (or whatever) because of what we believe it means about us that someone did or said whatever they did. Our emotions are the most powerful substance that exists in humanity for creation in our lives- what will you choose to propel the creations in your life with? Anger? Fear? Or Love & Compassion? Choose wisely!

6. Examine your internal belief systems and become aware of which ones are limiting beliefs and no longer creating what you desire in your life- We all tend to live our lives from the perception of our own ‘reality boxes’. It is important to intermittently step back, examine the box (dogma) you have been living from, and choose to step out of the box to expand your perceptions and horizons.  This is what emotional and spiritual growth is all about.

7. Create your self and your life anew- Create differently! Take action! Insanity is doing the same thing over and over yet expecting a different outcome. If you haven’t been experiencing as much joy and happiness as you would like, isn’t it time to make a change?

If you need assistance in transforming the obstacles that are keeping you stuck form experiencing all the joy & happiness you desire in your life, you might find out books helpful: “SHIFT: 12 Keys to Shift Your Life” or “Shift: A Woman’s Guide to Transformation”. We are available via our Facebook fan page for questions and discussions.

Much Light and Happiness to you all!

Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.

New Facebook Fan Page for Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.

Come see our new Facebook Fan Page for Tracy & Marion!

Facebook Fan Page for Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.