Seasonal Affective
Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal Affective Disorder During winter, the days are shorter and there are fewer hours of sunshine. As the level of sunlight drops our mood can fall as well. The winter blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mental health condition where people who have a normal mood for most of the year experience depressive symptoms in winter. It is estimated that up to 10% of the population experience persistent low mood over the dreary winter months, significantly disrupting their lives. People experiencing SAD may sleep more than usual, have difficulty waking up, experience poor concentration and have little energy. Personal relationships are affected as well, with people spending less time with family and friends. The condition can also affect the appetite, with people craving carbohydrates, leading some to put on significant weight and further exacerbating their low mood. Treatments that have been successful in reducing the impact of the condition include light therapy with sunlight or bright lights (best in the morning), antidepressant medication, cognitive-behavioural therapy, ionized-air administration, and carefully timed supplementation of the hormone melatonin. It is natural during winter to feel withdrawn and in a low mood as a reaction to the persistent cold and dreary weather. Wintery conditions often mean that people have reduced opportunities to interact with the community as the cold keeps many indoors, reluctant to leave their warm cocoons. If you suspect that SAD is impacting on your mood there are a number of things you can do to pick yourself up: 1. Get as much sunlight as possible, even if it is just sitting at the window on a sunny morning. 2. Seek out warm opportunities for social interaction: invite friends and family over for a movie night, or catch up with friends over a warm hot chocolate. 3. Venture out to the cinema and warm up over a giant bucket of popcorn. If you feel that you need a bit more support to overcome the winter blues, we recommend that you seek formal and informal supports through your family and your medical team. To access or find out more about our psychology services, please call 1300 704 456. 14 Independence Australia
Featured Product TENA Flex A design breakthrough for wearers and carers Changing traditional continence products can be a challenge for both wearers and carers alike, whereby many older-style products are cumbersome and not quick or easy to change. The good news is that TENA Flex is making changing easier than ever before. Tenille Taylor, TENA Healthcare Marketing Manager, explains… Many people may not realise there have been significant improvements to the form and function of continence products, with modern designs such as TENA Flex delivering significant improvements in changing, skin integrity, odour control and leakage. Benefits for wearers • Easy to apply thanks to the unique belted design and absence of excess bulk around the hips. • Improved skin integrity featuring FeelDry technology to draw urine quickly away from the skin, as well as material that allows the skin to breathe. • More comfortable to wear with double leg cuff elastics for maximum comfort 80% 25% reduction in reduction in skin rashes 2 leakages 1 15 “The unique belted design of TENA Flex gives those who are able to self-change the ability to do so – which is just not the case with many other bulky, more traditional continence products. For carers, it makes changing a breeze, and protects their back by reducing the need to lift the wearer onto the pad. For any carers who have experienced back strain, this is simply game-changing.” With people staying at home longer, who may have more complex care needs, it’s now commonplace for those at home who are both active and mobile, or bedbound, to need a product that is both easy to change and less cumbersome. 1 TENA Flex Clinical Trial, Sarah Wollett, New Zealand, December 2009 – vs all-in-one or two-piece products. 2 TENA Flex Clinical Trial, Sarah Wollett, Australia, February 2011 – vs all-in-one or two-piece products. Benefits for carers • Minimises lifting during changing, which has proven to reduce the risk of back strain. • Makes changes less intrusive thanks to the belted design. • The easy belt and tabs makes it simpler to toilet where possible. and protection against leakage. • Extensive range of 12 products across absorbencies and sizes small to extra large. Belt extension also available. Shop online at store.independenceaustralia.com To request a free sample, call Independence Australia on 1300 788 855 or email customerservice@independenceaustralia.com Inform – Spring 2017
