Post Nascar Seasonal Depression Is Added As Newest Psychiatric Disorder

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) today confirmed a new diagnosis which will be added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV).  This diagnosis is an Axis I Clinical Disorder, signally a disorder that does need treatment intervention.

The newest diagnosis to be added to the DSM IV is Post NASCAR Seasonal Depression (PNSD).  It is fitting that the Association announced this disorder today as this is the first official day of racing's off season.

The new diagnosis will help mental health clinicians to properly identify the warning signs and symptoms of PNSD.  The Manual will also provide the prescribed treatment for the disorder.

The signs and symptomsof PNSD are as follows:

*Persistent sadness and an "empty" mood.

*Feelings of anxiety, especially beginning from Fridays to Sundays, when race festivities from qualifying to the race usually occurred.

*Continuous sitting on the couch with a favorite beverage and snacks on Sunday afternoons in front of a blank television screen.

*Persistent pain in the remote clicking finger flipping between the Speed Channel and ESPN 2 looking for race re-runs.

*Loss of interest in any other hobbies or activities other than marking off the calendar, counting the days until the Daytona 500.

If you or anyone that you love is experiencing more than three of these five symptoms, the American Psychiatric Association affirms that the probably diagnosis is PNSD.  The Association urges anyone with these symptoms to seek help immediately.

The treatment options for Post NASCAR Seasonal Depression are as follows:

*For mild cases of PNSD, watching the upcoming NASCAR Championship banquet and three re-runs of Talladega Nights should alleviate the symptoms.

*For those suffering from more serious PNSD, clinicians recommend that they should find a local short track offering Turkey Trot or Thanksgiving races to attend.  They can also alleviate the more serious symptoms by doing donuts and burning rubber with the family car in their driveways.

*For the most serious or chronic PNSD, support groups, one group being Friends of Brian France and the other being Friends of Mike Helton, are now being formed.  These groups are totally anonymous and free of charge to anyone willing to accept this type of help.

*Medication made by NASCAR sponsors, such as Tylenol Rapid Release Gels and Goody's Headache Powders, are also very helpful in conjunction with individual or group psychotherapy. 

The prognosis for the illness is poor for the next several months, but symptoms should be alleviated by Feb. 7, when the Budweiser Shoot Out is scheduled in Daytona, Florida.

To locate help for PNSD, contact your nearest mental health clinic or visit the APA or the National Institute of Mental Health Web site, as well as NASCAR.com.