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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Seasonal Affective Disorder Can Lead to Major Depression

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is actually a sort of depressive disorder that lots of people encounter throughout the winter season, especially in the Upper Hemisphere.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is described by signs and symptoms of major depression, presenting decreased social connection and intellectual capacity. The condition is actually a major depressive condition which has been associated with chemical substance modifications in the brain as a result of reduced time of natural light. It continues to be a phenomenon which has been noticed for more than a century; however it has not been right up until 1984 that it was clinically determined as being a specific condition. The condition can also be occasionally referred to as winter major depression or winter blues. Seasonal affective disorder is associated with modifications in the quantity of sunshine which changes with all the seasons. On northern locations, natural light could be considerably reduced throughout the winter season.

The Disorder

This particular problem has an effect on a predicted 35 million Americans to different levels. Of those, a minimum of 10 million encounter a critical interruption of their lifestyles. It is often believed that 75 to 80 % of people who are afflicted by seasonal affective disorder are usually females; the largest part of ladies suffering from SAD is more than 30 years old. It is believed, that as much as 25 % of those who reside in the upper area may go through seasonal affective disorder at some point of their existences.

SAD - seasonal affective disorder

SAD is connected with irregularities in the amounts of serotonin and also other chemicals inside the brain. The most important therapy of option presently will be contact with full spectrum lighting. Specific "light boxes", workplace lamps and floor lights have already been developed, and these make use of distinctive light bulbs. These are referred to as "full-spectrum" bulbs. The particular light bulbs have this kind of naming simply because they generate light that very strongly looks like real natural light, the lack of which causes the SAD affliction. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) lights must be used each day throughout the periods in which this particular condition comes around.

Treatments

Light box therapy successfully gets rid of most of the signs and symptoms of SAD. As a absence of sunlight leads to SAD, it seems sensible that treatment using lighting will be the favored therapy. Light box therapy raises light towards the brain over the retina in the eye. Treatments for seasonal affective disorder using light box therapy works well for from 60 to 80 % of sufferers, with many victims observing substantial advancement within just 4 to 5 days. Anti-depressant medicines can also be put to use.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of SAD include things like sleepiness, major depression, social drawback, and work problems. Some other signs and symptoms observed are troubles getting out of bed each morning, inclination to oversleep and even to eat way too much, and particularly a craving for carbs, that leads to extra weight. Signs and symptoms start in the autumn, peak during the cold months in most cases remedy in the springtime.

Don't let depression overwhelm you! Fight it with the help of your love ones and also the help of natural supplements available. Learn more about what seasonal affective disorder can do to you, an also how to deal with it!

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