What to Do If You Have Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that many people experience during the winter months, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. Seasonal Affective Disorder is manifested by symptoms of clinical depression, with impaired social interaction and cognitive ability. The disorder is a major depressive disorder that has been linked to chemical changes in the brain due to diminished hours of sunlight. It has been a phenomenon that has been observed for over 100 years, but it was not until 1984 that it was diagnosed as a distinct disorder. The disorder is also sometimes called winter depression or winter blues. Seasonal affective disorder is related to changes in the amount of daylight that fluctuates with the seasons. In northern areas, sunlight may be significantly diminished during the winter months.

Disorder

This disorder affects an estimated 35 million Americans to varying degrees. Of these, at least 10 million experience a serious disruption in their lives. It has been estimated that 75 to 80 percent of those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder are women; the majority of women affected by SAD are over age 30. It's estimated, that as many as 25 percent of the people who live in the northern region may experience seasonal affective disorder at some time in their lives.

SAD

SAD is associated with abnormalities in the levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain. The main treatment of choice currently is exposure to full spectrum light. Special "light boxes", desk lamps and floor lamps have been created that utilize unique light bulbs. They are known as "full-spectrum" bulbs. The bulbs have this designation because they produce light which very closely resembles actual sunlight, the absence of which induces the SAD syndrome. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) lamps should be used everyday during the peak seasons in which this disorder occurs.

Therapy

Light therapy effectively removes many of the symptoms of SAD. Because a lack of sun causes SAD, it makes sense that therapy with lights is the preferred treatment. Light therapy increases light to the brain through the retina of the eye. Treatment of seasonal affective disorder with light therapy is effective for from 60 to 80 percent of patients, with most patients noticing significant improvement within four to five days. Anti-depressant medications are also used.

Symptoms

Symptoms of SAD include lethargy, depression, social withdrawal, and work difficulties. Other symptoms seen are difficulty waking up in the morning, tendency to oversleep as well as to overeat, and especially a craving for carbohydrates, which leads to weight gain. Symptoms begin in the fall, peak in the winter and usually resolve in the spring.

Interventions

There are a large number of anti-depressant medications available to treat this disorder. Exercise, socializing with friends and getting as much natural sunlight as possible in combination with light box therapy appears to be a good regimen to reduce the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Please be aware that the information provided here is for general information only and is not intended to replace the advice of your health-care provider with whom you should consult in the event of depressive symptoms.

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