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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jrbecker76 on April 25, 2014, at 22:37:29
This topic doesnt belong here in Babble as it isnt med related, but neither does it neatly fit into other boards' topics either (perhaps it should have been posted on Social), however, Im hoping this might be an important enough of an issue to be able to discuss here.For years, mid to late Spring has always been my worst time of year. Winters are long and hard here in Chicago and the lack of sunlight and cold climate definitely impacts my mood and functioning. However, the winter pales in comparison to what I have waiting for me every April and May. My usual melancholic depression turns more anxious and dysphoric, my energy is sapped to the level of exhaustion, and my thoughts can often times even trend towards considering self-harm. In recent years, I began finally picking up on this pattern. After reading more about the interplays of depression and pollen allergies, I began tracking the correlation between daily tree pollen counts and my mood. Sure enough, Ive found a very strong positive association between worsening mood and a higher tree pollen count. On days when there is a rain and the pollen count is diminished, my mood is substantially better. By around early June, Im usually on the upswing again, and in recent years Ive tracked this remission and have correlated it with waning tree pollen activity in my area.
Whats unusual is that I dont always show a lot of typical signs of allergic rhinitis such as nasal congestion during these periods. In terms of treatment, Claritin and Zyrtec actually make me irritable and worsen my mood on their own, but Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) does seem to help take the extra edge of the depressive symptoms. Obviously, using a sedating antihistamine daily has its tradeoffs though.
Now Im sure some of you are already aware of the current research relating pollen allergies and depression, but if youre not, you might be surprised to know that the peak rates of suicide during the year match the tree pollen season (with a nadir in April and May). Other research finds that bipolar sufferers more than MDD sufferers are prone to pollen's effects on mood. Id thought Id paste some of the related research Ive found on the subject. Id be curious to hear from you all on whether you have noticed similar patterns.
Research:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22329476
http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/v10/n3/full/4001620a.html
http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/5/e002462.long
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2592251/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1949487/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17458322
Popular press discussions
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/04/20/allergies.depression.moods/
Peer discussions:
http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/3806/7762/spring/
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040308/msgs/323727.html
Pollen count tracker by regional area: http://www.aaaai.org/global/nab-pollen-counts.aspx
Pollen forecast by zip: http://www.pollen.com/allergy-forecast.asp?zip=60601&affiliateid=6899
Posted by klein on April 26, 2014, at 2:56:44
In reply to Springtime Depression Tree Pollen Allergies, posted by jrbecker76 on April 25, 2014, at 22:37:29
>
> This topic doesnt belong here in Babble as it isnt med related, but neither does it neatly fit into other boards' topics either (perhaps it should have been posted on Social), however, Im hoping this might be an important enough of an issue to be able to discuss here.
>
> For years, mid to late Spring has always been my worst time of year. Winters are long and hard here in Chicago and the lack of sunlight and cold climate definitely impacts my mood and functioning. However, the winter pales in comparison to what I have waiting for me every April and May. My usual melancholic depression turns more anxious and dysphoric, my energy is sapped to the level of exhaustion, and my thoughts can often times even trend towards considering self-harm. In recent years, I began finally picking up on this pattern. After reading more about the interplays of depression and pollen allergies, I began tracking the correlation between daily tree pollen counts and my mood. Sure enough, Ive found a very strong positive association between worsening mood and a higher tree pollen count. On days when there is a rain and the pollen count is diminished, my mood is substantially better. By around early June, Im usually on the upswing again, and in recent years Ive tracked this remission and have correlated it with waning tree pollen activity in my area.
>
> Whats unusual is that I dont always show a lot of typical signs of allergic rhinitis such as nasal congestion during these periods. In terms of treatment, Claritin and Zyrtec actually make me irritable and worsen my mood on their own, but Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) does seem to help take the extra edge of the depressive symptoms. Obviously, using a sedating antihistamine daily has its tradeoffs though.
>
> Now Im sure some of you are already aware of the current research relating pollen allergies and depression, but if youre not, you might be surprised to know that the peak rates of suicide during the year match the tree pollen season (with a nadir in April and May). Other research finds that bipolar sufferers more than MDD sufferers are prone to pollen's effects on mood. Id thought Id paste some of the related research Ive found on the subject. Id be curious to hear from you all on whether you have noticed similar patterns.
>I most definitely feel for you. Chicago is extreme. This isn't really what you're asking, but I'm a fall/winter person... not for the cold, but because I love shorter days and long nights.
Summertime -hot weather and humidity- absolutely drains all my energy, too oppressive, I feel miserable. And spring is even worse because I dread the coming months. Seasons definitely affect my mood. To top it all off, a few years ago I began suffering from pollen allergies.
Have you tried Vistaril or Atarax (hydroxyzine)? It's a really good choice, it's moderately effective for rhinitis but its main benefit is that it has very good anxiolytic and even mood uplifting properties.
Posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2014, at 9:54:47
In reply to Re: Springtime Depression Tree Pollen Allergies » jrbecker76, posted by klein on April 26, 2014, at 2:56:44
This is the first year ever I've found that pollen seems to effects me. I have been getting headaches and as I write I can't really see as the sun is so bright out. But I normally love the Spring and Summer months. I do use saline eye drops and wear sunglasses. Usually impacts my mood the warmer sunnier weather in a positive way. Hoping that as the day goes on I again adjust to the brightness as have been waiting for months for the spring and summer. Phillipa
Posted by kribensis on April 27, 2014, at 10:26:25
In reply to Springtime Depression Tree Pollen Allergies, posted by jrbecker76 on April 25, 2014, at 22:37:29
THANK YOU for posting this. YES this is ME too!
I had severe allergies this time of year as a kid (runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, etc) and while I seem to be mostly free of those symptoms now in my 40's, I get much more depressed each year from about late Feb- late May. Here I am trying different antidepressants and last year in March was also in the dr's office asking for an antidepressant (that I didn't end up taking and then was "okay" until same time this year when I couldn't stand it anymore).
I have noticed that it is the worst time of year for me. Antihistamines always made me feel worse. I also gain (unwanted) weight at this time each year even though I am making sure I am exercising as normal and eating as normal. Even doing a 'cleanse' doesn't seem to help that much. I then lose the weight in summer/fall without doing anything different. It is like my whole body totally slows down, depression etc.
I also live in a climate where there is lots of rain during the winter/not that much sun but I feel much better during the winter than in the Spring. Everyone else is always happy this time of year when the sun starts to come out and I feel like crap.
Posted by Sheilac on May 9, 2014, at 12:43:34
In reply to Re: Springtime Depression Tree Pollen Allergies, posted by kribensis on April 27, 2014, at 10:26:25
I suffer terribly from pollen & mold & grass allergies. It puts me in a funk where I can't think straight and does indeed cause me worsening depression. I've known this for years and the only thing that usually helps me through besides Zyrtec & Claritin is Adderall so I can stay alert and clear minded.
I'm currently trying immunotherapy (allergy shots). So far I get 4 shots a week and I think they are helping my allergies. I do feel very tired for 48 hours after getting the shots.
So, yes, yes, yes, I totally know for sure there is a correlation between bad allergies and depression and ability to function.
Posted by Snell on May 15, 2014, at 6:55:48
In reply to Springtime Depression Tree Pollen Allergies, posted by jrbecker76 on April 25, 2014, at 22:37:29
I am allergic to "everything" (trees, grasses, dust mites, molds, crab, lobster) and I definitely see a connection between times of the year when I am tolerating a higher than usual "allergic load."
One happy thing for me is that Benadryl (diphenhydramine) does not make me sleepy. Perhaps this is because I've been taking it practically since I was born. So I am able to beat back the allergies with 50 mg Benadryl three times a day. That's much more effective than those second-generation things such as Allegra, Zyrtec, or Claritin, in my experience anyway.
This is the end of the thread.
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