AboutPatricia A. Schafer, Ph.D. Expertise I specialize in various forms of depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and also stress, phobias, life changes, grief, women's issues, men's issues, etc. My licenses are: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor -Supervisor(LPCC-S) and Licensed Professional Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC) in the state of Ohio and a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Experience 12 years experience counseling substance abusers, families of alcoholics/drug addictions, and those with codependency issues. I also specialize in social phobia; stress; anxieties; women`s issues; grief and adjustments to life changes. Some therapeutic techniques used are: CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behaviorial Therapy)REBT (Rational Emotive), SFT (Solution Focused) and 12-Step, etc. If you live in the Cleveland area, you can contact me at my office for an appointment at: 440-349-4521. I am on various insurance panels and EAP programs.
Organizations ACA, OCA, NCC, OMHCA
Education/Credentials Ph.D. In counseling
MA In Counseling
BS In Psychology
Question Hi Dr.
I am male, 50.
Until a couple years ago, I looked young for my age-people thought I was 40 or less.
I dont smoke or drink and eat healthy, and I am a regular jogger.
In the last few months however my aging seems to have sped up. People I havent seen for a while dont recognise me. I am greying quickly and losing hair, and developing a large belly although actually eating less and being more active.
The only change in my life is changing jobs. I went from a 'soft' job to more lucrative and rewarding although stressfull (at least for the first year) job. I actually developed hypertension.Also I developed very rapid macular degeneration (my eye doctor mentioned this) and now wear glasses which make me look older. Two years ago people my age marveled that I could read fine print.
Also, my wife thinks I now have S.A.D. because I work late shifts in the winter and dont see much sun-I used to have day shifts and summers off.
My stress level has slowly gone down and I feel better, but I wish I could look better.
Do you think that it was the new job that did this, or was it genetic?
Can you reccomend anything, such as a food or vitamin or supplement? I already have a healthy lifestyle but would consider any new reccomendations.
Thanks!
Answer Hi Van:
Changing a job to a more stressful one that is more demanding of your time and also pressures for decision making, time limitations, etc. can make one look more stressed. That is, looking stressed can be more wrinkles on the fore head, around the eyes, which can make you look older. Also, the late shifts can be more stressful adjusting to the time and lack of sun might have something to do with it. If you have SAD, you would feel depressed, down, and it is harder to push yourself to do your job, therefore, that is more stressful.
I don't know if genetics has anything to do with it. First, think back to your side of the family, your parents, and grandparents. Did they look young for quite a while and then age caught up with them early - like in their 50's? If so, it might be genetic for you or it could be both - the job and genetics.
There are vitamins for those over 50 that you could research on the web. And you might want to look into vitamin or mineral supplement that help with energy levels and some that say help aging. You could check vitamin web sites such as Vitaminshoppe.com or Prohealth.com and other sites to get an idea of what is out there. I've heard some say that DHEA has helped them. So, there are choices out there. See what catches your interest and read about it before you buy.
On the internet, the prices can be cheaper at one internet store versus the other. So, check around.
