Published 20:50 4 Sep 2024 GMT+1
Doctor warns people of the seven signs that could indicate you suffer from seasonal depression
Seasonal affective disorder can cause a wide range of symptoms
Joshua Nair
A doctor has explained the seven signs that you're not just feeling down about the end of summer, and might have 'seasonal depression'.
As we continue down the path to the autumn and winter months, more layers get put on when we go outside, the sun is seen less often and the weather gets more and more miserable. Not to dampen the mood or anything.
But the fact of the matter is, as our daylight hours decrease, so do our moods - you may notice yourself feeling sadder or with a higher tendency of feeling down after the clocks go back.
This isn't a coincidence though, and it's more than just missing the sun or summer activities, it could be a mental health issue that is worth paying attention to.
It's almost that time of the year (Getty Stock Photo)What is seasonal affective disorder?
Something that is often referred to as seasonal depression, but officially known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasonal pattern.
The symptoms of the condition are usually more serious during the colder months, though some of those with SAD may feel it the other way around.
It is unclear on what the exact cause of SAD is, but it has been linked to less exposure to sunlight, according to the NHS, as days get shorter in colder months.
In theory, this will affect the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps you feel sleepy and serotonin, a hormone that can affect your mood, appetite and sleep.
Your body clock may also be affected by it, but there are a few sure-fire signs to tell if you are suffering from SAD, according to a clinical psychologist with over 586,000 followers on her social media accounts.
Dr Kirren took to TikTok to highlight the seven ways that can reveal if you're suffering from SAD ahead of the autumn and winter months.
The medical expert called the condition 'winter depression', and later added: "These symptoms will usually happen during the autumn and winter months when it's darker.
"As spring and summer approaches, these symptoms improve or disappear."
A feeling of hopelessness
Dr Kirren explains that if 'you feel sad and hopeless with an emptiness', or feel down more often than normal for no particular reason, it may be a sign that you are suffering from SAD.
Constant fatigue
"Even after a full night sleep, you feel fatigued, tired and have very little energy," she highlighted as a sign of the disorder.
This is often a concern if you still feel drained while going through your day, having very little energy and being more tired than normal.
You may even find yourself sleeping longer and struggling to wake up in the morning, which also contributes to fatigue.
Craving carbs
If you have an increased need to snack as the days go on, and in particular, wanting 'to eat lots of comfort food', you should try to control that urge, as it may bring on the dreaded winter weight that many try to avoid.
Increased irritability
Getting annoyed more easily or finding yourself getting irritated at the smallest things during the winter period can indicate that you have SAD.
If you find yourself feeling more tired, irritable or inclined to snack in the next few months, you could have SAD (Getty Stock Photo)Difficulty in concentrating
Dr Kirren explained that if 'it's become more difficult to concentrate
and make decisions', it could be a sign of seasonal depression as your brain could find it more difficult to concentrate on simple everyday tasks.
No desire to socialise
if you have 'lost the motivation to do things that interest you', or hobbies in general as the cold sets in, it can be a sign of SAD, while the decreased desire to go and see friends and family can also indicate that you have the condition.
Physical problems
Finally, if you find yourself with more headaches, muscle aches and stomach problems than normal, or if you are consistently experiencing any of the problems above, you might want to see a GP to assess your mental health.
The main ways to treat SAD are to get as much natural sunlight as you can, exercise regularly and monitor your stress levels.
The use of a light box can be used for light therapy, simulating exposure to sunlight, though some may prefer talking therapies such as counselling to combat their SAD.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photos
Topics: Mental Health, Weather, NHS, Social Media, TikTok
Joshua Nair
Published 15:24 3 Sep 2024 GMT+1
Doctor warns of seven common foods you should never eat that are 'basically poison'
"These foods are promoted as healthy but in reality, behind the scenes, they are not healthy at all"
Stefania Sarrubba
A doctor has warned people against consuming certain foods that are normally perceived as healthy but may, in fact, pose a risk to one's health.
Dr. Eric Berg, from the US, has listed seven foods that are 'basically poison' and that are better off being removed from our diets.
It's worth noting that Dr. Berg is presumably referring to food marketed in the US, as those products have different production processes and regulations to those available in other countries - especially here in the UK.
"These foods are promoted as healthy but in reality, behind the scenes, they are not healthy at all," he said in a recent YouTube video. "In fact, they're gonna make you sick."
So, what are these common foods that we probably should start avoiding?
We'd all like to think we make the effort to be healthy in our diets, right? (Getty Stock Image)Granola bars
A quick look at the packaging of a popular granola bar brand confirmed that they contain 'bioengineered food ingredients'.
"It means that they have GMO ingredients," Dr. Berg clarified, adding: "They have levels of glyphosate," which is a herbicide, 'a weed killer which is linked to cancer'.
These bars also tend to contain beet sugar, 'which is GMO', 'not very healthy' sunflower oil - it can cause 'a lot of problems on the inside of your body', according to Dr. Berg - and rice flour, which is high in starch.
"When you're dealing with starch, you're really dealing with sugar," the doctore said.
"That's what starch is, it's a group of sugar molecules connected together," he continued, saying that "one serving size [of granola bars] equals just under seven teaspoons of sugar."
It turns out granola bars aren't as healthy as we thought (Getty Stock Image)Agave syrup
"It sounds very natural but, every time they make a product into a syrup, especially agave, you're going to create more fructose," Dr Berg said.
"Agave syrup is literally 85 percent fructose," he added, explaining that that has an impact on the liver.
"Your liver treats fructose like it does alcohol, like a toxin," he said, explaining it can be linked to diabetes and obesity.
Flavoured yoghurts
"Yoghurts have more sugar than a candy bar," he said, adding that they can include thickeners, modified corn starch, and monosodium glutamate.
Dr. Berg advises people to opt for kefir as that has 'way more friendly bacteria' than yoghurt.
Flavoured yogurts contain a lot of sugar (Getty Stock Image)Non-dairy creamers
"There is a lot of crap in these things," he said, listing high-fructose corn syrup or glucose syrup, maltodextrin and 'hidden' trans fat that can be rounded up to zero and thus omitted from the label as their content is low.
Soy milk
Dr. Berg expressed his confusion over how soy milk is even considered a milk in the first place, saying you can get a lot of 'estrogenic effects' from consuming it - which basically means the production of estrogen.
He went on to say the way in which soy products - including the milk - are produced is not healthy in the slightest, and doesn't understand how soy milk is considered to be cleaner and healthier than organic dairy milk.
Who knew that soy milk is potentially worse for you than dairy milk? (Getty Stock Image)Fast food salads/lettuce
Dr. Berg says the kinds of salads that contain lettuce usually come with dressings, which contain seed oil and trans fat - 'another chemical cocktail'.
These salads also contain chemical preservatives to prevent the lettuce from going brown.
Puffed cereals
Dr. Berg cited a study that once looked at the reaction of rats when they consumed puffed cereal, which sadly saw the animals die.
He decided to recreate this study for himself, and he was shocked to find the rats who were being fed puffed cereals began to suffer from red, bulging eyes and start prematurely dying. This is why Dr. Berg refuses to now eat any type of puffed cereal.Featured Image Credit: Youtube/Dr. Eric Berg DC / Natasha Breen/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Topics: Food And Drink, Health, YouTube
Stefania SarrubbaAdvert
Updated 10:01 23 Aug 2024 GMT+1Published 09:58 23 Aug 2024 GMT+1
Experts explain how people can stop ‘tossing’ that could be a sign you have ADHD
Psychology experts have revealed four ways that you can stop 'tossing', a potential sign of ADHD
Joshua Nair
A psychotherapist has revealed exactly how people can stop their 'tossing' habit, which could also be a sign of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
We can thank social media for coining the phrase, but 'tossing' has become more common among people in recent times as some became aware of it through a TikTok trend that went viral last year.
The term 'tossing' came to light after something called a DOOM pile also did the rounds, with the acronym meaning 'didn't organise, only moved' according to ADDitude - with several people relating to it that you'd imagine.
It's easy to let things - like clothes - pile up. (Getty Stock Photo)What is 'tossing'?
No, it's nothing sexual and yes, it seems to have a link to those with ADHD, according to several experts.
A DOOM pile can consist of a number of things, whether it be bills and receipts that you've put off sorting out, clothes you need to fold, or some things that you need to put away, it can build up to the point of you not wanting to sort it out.
But this is where the link with ADHD-ers come in, as they are more likely to become overwhelmed with tasks piling up and getting harder around them - which results in them 'tossing'.
This basically means that you end up throwing everything out, tossing it in the rubbish without going through it and doing what you need to do.
Author and ADHD advocate and educator, Cate Osborn spoke on the subject to Huffington Post, admitting that she has 'tossed' before, while revealing that she struggles with task prioritisation and time management, resulting in choice paralysis as she ends up asking: “What should I keep? What if I need it? What if it’s useful later on.”
The main cause behind a growing DOOM pile is someone feeling overwhelmed. (Getty Stock Photo)Psychologist Madison Perry said it is similar to opening to many internet tabs at once, explaining that 'people with ADHD have too many mental tabs open at once', which can result in feeling overwhelmed.
Psychotherapist Oliver Drakeford also describes tossing as an 'automatic, reactive behaviour that helps people avoid feelings of uncertainty, anxiety and overwhelm'.
So, how do you stop this habit if you are a 'tosser' yourself?
Well firstly, get your mind out of the gutter - and secondly, follow these four bullet points outlined by the experts that aims to change people's perspectives on the bad habit.
Think about why you toss
It may seem obvious, but Drakeford says that becoming aware of your emotions that drive your actions is the first step.
“If you’re not conscious of feelings like anxiety, uncertainty, or stress, you’re more likely to operate on autopilot and resort to tossing things impulsively,” he explained.
Recognising your emotional state means that you can address these feelings you may get while tossing and carry it out in a more thoughtful and mindful way.
Don't be afraid to throw clutter away
Some things are good to toss, such as take-away containers or old receipts, but Osborn explains that it's important to distinguish whether you're keeping it there 'just cause', or if it adds something to your everyday life.
“I think as people with ADHD it’s important to try to avoid being wasteful and contributing to piles of plastic in our landfills, but sometimes, taking ownership of our space means making hard choices and having to decide where we draw the line,” she said.
Osborn says that if it is impacting your quality of life, it's time to toss.
The two-minute rule can stop sights like this from being a regular occurrence. (Getty Stock Photo)The '10 Things Game'
An ADHD brain will think that it needs to do everything all in one go, often causing stress and anxiety - the root cause of a DOOM pile.
But Drakeford suggests trying the '10 Things Game' as a method of carrying out tasks, explaining: “For example, instead of tackling an entire stack of bills, start by opening just 10.
“Or instead of cleaning the whole kitchen, begin with washing 10 dishes. Completing these small tasks often feels manageable, and if it does, you can always do 10 more.”
He then added that you should have a two-minute rule - where if something takes you less than two minutes to complete - do it now to avoid putting things off.
Be nice to yourself
It may seem difficult, but it's crucial that you make yourself feel nice while trying to improve on your bad habits.
Osborn highlighted that there are a lot of harsh comments directed to those with ADHD, which is often accusations of being lazy or immature for putting things off.
“It’s not that we aren’t trying hard enough, it’s not that we’re lazy, it’s that our brains literally process information differently, and those differences really show up in situations like this,” she explained.
"When you’re talking about ADHD, you’re not talking about a couple of easy steps like 'sit down, go through the box, donate'...
“It’s not fun to feel so overwhelmed by a pile of stuff you throw it in the trash. When we do that, it’s because it’s a last resort." the expert highlighted.
“While you’re working through this, remember to be kind to yourself.”Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photos
Topics: Mental Health, ADHD, Social Media, Lifestyle
Joshua NairAdvert
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Published 17:23 22 Aug 2024 GMT+1
Expert explains what ‘tossing’ is and how it could be a sign that you have ADHD
A lot of people 'toss' and it could be an indicator of ADHD if you do it regularly
Joshua Nair
An expert has revealed what 'tossing' is, how it could be linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and what you can do to stop it.
The beauty of the modern age is just how much knowledge and information we can take in over a single day, all thanks to social media and the internet.
But sometimes, it's hard to keep up, with words such as 'tossing' coming into play recently and no, it's nothing sexual so get your mind out of the gutter.
What actually is 'tossing'?
It's all to do with a TikTok trend that went viral, something to do with the DOOM pile, with the acronym standing for 'didn't organise, only moved', and more people had it than you'd think.
Do you have a DOOM pile? (Getty Stock Photo)A DOOM pile could consist of receipts and bills, or just general clutter that you've procrastinated putting away - the possibilities are endless.
But it looks like there may be a link between this and people with ADHD, who can easily get overwhelmed with things around them piling up, and it results in one thing: Tossing.
It essentially means what it says, you end up throwing everything out, tossing it in the rubbish without going through it and doing what you need to do.
What do the experts say?
Author and ADHD advocate and educator, Cate Osborn, has admitted that she too has 'tossed' in the past. She explained: “I do know what it’s like to be so completely overwhelmed that it’s easier to say ‘you know what, I don’t need any of this’ and just throw everything away.”
The podcast host admitted that she struggles with task prioritisation and time management, adding that when she does get to organising it, she has choice paralysis, asking questions like: “What should I keep? What if I need it? What if it’s useful later on.”
Putting off a task over and over again could be a sign of ADHD. (Getty Stock Photo)“It absolutely makes sense that a person with ADHD would get overwhelmed and say, ‘I don’t have the time, space or energy to go through this process, I’m just going to toss the entire box and be free of the clutter,’” Osborn admitted.
Madison Perry, a psychologist, compares it to opening numerous internet browsers at once, saying: “Similarly, people with ADHD have too many mental tabs open at once,
“They can become overwhelmed and have to find a way to exit out of a tab or two. Throwing something away takes maintaining that item or finding its rightful storage space off of the overwhelming to-do list,” she revealed, later highlighting that it's important to avoid accidentally throwing away important items.
Tossing is linked to executive dysfunction, which is a behavioural symptom that interferes with ADHD-ers abilities to start tasks and understand what's required to complete them, according to American psychotherapist Oliver Drakeford.
He explained to Huffington Post: “It’s not just impulsive decluttering; for many people with ADHD, it’s an automatic, reactive behaviour that helps people avoid feelings of uncertainty, anxiety and overwhelm that arises when the brain is overstimulated by a big pile of clutter or mess.”
If this is a familiar sight, you might want to adopt the two-minute rule. (Getty Stock Photo)Drakeford says that it can be linked with experiential avoidance, which are basically attempts to avoid thoughts, feelings, memories, physical sensations and other internal experiences in the short-term, possibly causing a bigger problem in the long-term.
He continued: “For example, rather than uncertainty and anxiety generated when you look at the pile of letters and bills that have accumulated, you avoid ― hopefully momentarily ― but throwing them all in a draw until you’re ready to look through them one by one.
“In the long run, tossing doesn’t really help develop distress tolerance for these uncomfortable feelings, nor does it help develop healthier ADHD management skills,” he concluded.
But how do you resist the urge to 'toss'?
Well firstly, it's important to give some thought to why you 'toss', and if it's linked to your emotional state.
Next, don't be afraid to throw things away that should be gotten rid of, and to take ownership of your space.
For ADHD-ers, try the 10 Things game, where instead of dealing with all the items from your DOOM pile at once, start with 10, as small tasks often feel more manageable.
You'll also want to have a 'two-minute rule', where if something takes you less than two minutes to complete, do it now to avoid putting things off.
Finally, it's crucial to be kind to yourself, stop putting yourself down and be productive with your comments. Don't let the DOOM pile win!Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Pawel Wewiorski via Getty Images
Topics: ADHD, Mental Health, Social Media, TikTok, Viral
Joshua NairAdvert
Published 14:34 22 Aug 2024 GMT+1
Chef warns the one part of a restaurant menu you should never order from
Florida-based kitchen whizz Dennis Chan revealed there's one part of the menu you want to avoid at all costs
Olivia Burke
There's nothing quite like sitting back and browsing through the menu when you are ready to wolf down a slap-up meal, is there?
A sharing platter to start things off? Absolutely. Followed by a few of those fancy sounding sides? Why not.
But according to this chef, there's one part of the menu which you want to avoid at all costs when dining out.
Dennis Chan is a whizz in the kitchen who boasts a culinary arts degree from The Culinary Institute of America, has a cookbook under his belt and now runs his own eatery in Jacksonville, Florida, so he knows his stuff.
And generously, the executive chef - who owns pan-asian restaurant Blue Bamboo - enjoys sharing the tips and tricks he has learned along the way on social media with us lucky lot too.
So even though Dennis did all the legwork, we all get to benefit from his inside knowledge. Happy days.
Dennis Chan warned diners that they might want to avoid one certain part of the menu. (TikTok/@chefdennischan)In one of his TikTok videos, rather than detailing a tasty new recipe, the chef decided to enlighten us about what protocols people in the food industry tend to follow while eating out themselves.
As I'm sure you can deduce, it's a bit of a busman's holiday for a chef when he visits a restaurant.
And this is why, according to Dennis, that chefs tend to follow a few cardinal rules when eating elsewhere.
For example, the Florida-based foodie never orders a steak in a restaurant simply because he is 'great at making' one himself, so he sees it as a waste.
Dennis also made a great point when he explained that chefs will never order seafood in the middle of a country either, adding: "We don't know where it comes from, and it can't be local!"
"We never order grilled chicken," he continued. "First of all, it's not good value. Second, it's a fine line between being cooked perfectly and being overcooked."
The chef shared his inside knowledge with social media users. (Getty Stock Image)He went on to warn diners never to order anything Alfredo as well, explaining that unless you're in Italy, the sauce has most likely 'come out of a bag'. Yum.
But the most shocking revelation which Dennis made is about what chefs consider dodgy territory on the menu - as they know the real reason behind why that dish has been put there.
He explained: "We never order the chef's special.
"We know that the chef's special is something that the chef has to get rid of."
So when you're weighing up the options, just know that the dishes listed under the 'chef's specials' probably aren't specifically recommended or highlighted by the person cooking it like you might have presumed.
Dennis explained that his video was tongue-in-cheek and he does still order all of these things when he's out, but the purpose of the clip was to enlighten others who aren't armed with the same information he is.
Gordon Ramsay previously dropped some advice about how to navigate a menu too, warning that 'suspicious boasts' and lengthy lists of specials are immediate red flags to him.
But between Dennis and Gordon, I'm sure we will all be well-versed in which bits of the menu not to touch with a barge pole soon enough.
