EP259: Dr. Norman Rosenthal - SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, the Man who Named It

Health Coach Conversations

Do you feel really down or unmotivated to work in particular months? This is something millions of people worldwide experience, which is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. We have Dr. Norman Rosenthal on the show today, the person who named this condition. Dr. Norman discusses his decades of research on SAD, how he discovered light therapy as an effective treatment for SAD and more.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Dr. Norman’s book about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

• SAD and its treatment with light therapy

• Symptoms of SAD, like bad mood and low energy

• Ways to maximise the usage of light boxes at home or anywhere to improve mood

• Importance of getting enough sleep when dealing with SAD

• An example of how light therapy helped one of his patients feel much better

Memorable Quotes

• “SAD is one of those conditions that you could easily miss if you’re not aware of it. You’ve got August, September; people are doing well, and then gradually, they begin to lose their functioning. They’re slower, they’re sleeping more, and they’re eating more. And it doesn’t just announce itself one day; it’s a gentle transition into what can end up being a very disabling condition.”

• “When I say suffering, you may be slacking off on your job… If you’re an actress, you may not generate the kind of buzz needed to galvanise the audience. Whatever it is, you’re probably not going to do it well because it takes some kind of interpersonal pizzazz to get people engaged, and it’s very hard to muster when you have SAD.”

BIO:

Norman E. Rosenthal is a world-renowned psychiatrist, public speaker, and best-selling author who is known for his innovative research and inspirational writings. He is currently Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine and is listed as one of the Best Doctors in America. Dr. Rosenthal has practiced psychiatry for over three decades, treating people with all manner of psychiatric and emotional health issues. He is also a motivational speaker and a personal and professional coach, working with people from all walks of life including CEOs, top athletes, and performing artists.

Rosenthal was born and raised in South Africa and did his medical training at the University of Witwatersrand, where he graduated with high honors. He immigrated to the US and did his psychiatric residency at Columbia in NYC before going to the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, where he began his research career in earnest. His first major research contribution was to describe and name Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and to develop light therapy as a treatment for this novel condition. SAD – and its milder variant, the Winter Blues – are now known to affect millions of people worldwide, many of whom have benefited from the light therapy that Dr. Rosenthal pioneered.

Dr. Rosenthal is a highly cited researcher who has written over 300 scholarly articles, and authored or co-authored eight popular books. These include Winter Blues, the New York Times bestseller Transcendence, and the Los Angeles Times bestseller The Gift of Adversity. Rosenthal has conducted numerous clinical trials of medications and alternative treatments, such as Transcendental Meditation for psychiatric disorders, and the treatment of depression with Botox. He and his work have been featured on Good Morning America, The Today Show, NPR and other national media.

Mentioned In This Episode:

https://www.amazon.com/Defeating-SAD-Happiness-Through-Seasons-ebook/dp/B0B69L999S/

https://www.amazon.com/Poetry-RX-Inspiring-Poems-Bring/dp/1722505060/

Dr. Norman Rosenthal Website: https://www.normanrosenthal.com/

Links to resources:

Health Coach Group Website https://www.thehealthcoachgroup.com/ Use the code HCC50 to save $50 on our website

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