S.a.d Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder, also known as winter blues and winter depression.
For anyone suffering from this very real, unpleasant illness, wintertime can become very miserable.
Seasonal affective disorder, also known as winter blues and winter depression.
For anyone suffering from this very real, unpleasant illness, wintertime can become very miserable.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms usually appear during autumn and disappear in the spring. However some people have been known to get the summer blue, this starts with the onset of spring and continues into summer but the symptoms are much the same. The symptoms can start out mild but turn into full blown clinical depression.
WINTER
- Depression
- Hopelessness
- Anxiety
- Social withdrawal
- Oversleeping
- Over eating, usually craving carbohydrates
- Loss of interest in anything you used to like
- Not being able to concentrate or pass on information
SUMMER
- Anxiety
- Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- Irritability
- Grumpiness
- Weight loss
- No interest in food
- Increased sex drive
It is normal to have days of feeling down but if it starts to take over your life you are advised to seek medical help from your doctor.
WHO DOES IT AFFECT?
More women than men suffer with S.A.D, children and teens can also be badly affected. People who live further away from the equator are more likely to be affected but less people if there is snow on the ground.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
The reduction of natural daylight, the nights getting longer.
Our brains or the nerves in our brains control our moods, our moods are stimulated by the light that enters our brain. When the night starts to come our pineal glands produce a substance called melatonin, which tells the body it is time for sleep but with the days in winter being dark and gloomy and the mornings not bright enough to trigger the waking up process, you fall into a state of S.A.D The lightness of the day also is linked with serotonin, a neurotransmitter and it is thought the levels of serotonin increase when exposed to bright light. Low levels of serotonin of found present in people with depression.
IS THERE ANY TREATMENT?
The first thing you must do is go and talk to your doctor and get a clear diagnosis of s.a.d.
After this you must try to be in bright light everyday. If you work shifts for example ask your employers if you can have the shifts where you are not travelling to work in the morning dark and back home again at night in the dark. If this is not possible try to get out in your lunch hour and absorb the sunlight (if there is any) into your eyes. Failing that you can buy special s.a.d lights that are at least 2500lux, you don’t have to stare at the lights just have them on around you, when you are doing the cooking, watching TV or reading and even when you are exercising in your home. The level of light has to be as bright as a bright clear, sunny, spring morning, you would need around 30/40 minutes of light box treatment. Your doctor may give you the hormone melatonin or suggest negative air ionization and antidepressants are sometimes prescribed.
Liked it
alc | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Great article! Love the format! Thanks for the share!
Themax | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
another great article about SAD thanks
cutedrishti8 | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
thanks for the post
Francois Hagnere | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Very informative and clearly explained. Very good job!
diamondpoet | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the information, good write.
Teves | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Nice post…
redmail99 | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
interesting, very interesting, that can justify my sudden depression
Mystify | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Very wonderful insight into this horrible disorder Lilly! I sometimes get down from the lack of light and find if I go outside I feel a lot better about myself. Excellent work as always and a very enjoyable read!
Frances Lawrence | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
A very interesting read
Sn0W1310 | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
Nice article, I think its important that people realise how dangerous s.a.d. can be and come to recognise the symptoms. I have a very close friend who suffers from this at least every other winter doing night shift work just doesn’t help!
shanthu | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
thanks for the info
jimbob1 | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
Hey Miss L…Another unique and interesting subject. We find that we get hit hardest with SAD during the long cold days of mid-to-late February into March…we’ve had our fill of ice, snow and bitter cold and cabin fever is starting to take its toll. Summer symptoms are interesting “Grumpiness” and “Increased sex drive” is the “grumpiness” due to unresolved issues with respect to “Increased sex drive”??? Another research project for you!!! Thanks.
lillyrose | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
I did try to find more information on summer SAD but came up with nothing, it seams it is very rare but does display a lot of symptoms of manic depression. I think I had that last summer!
Christine Ramsay | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
A very interesting and informative read. I must say I hate the darkness of the winter.
Christine
Papa Sparks | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
I’ve been reading about this a lot these days; this was interesting to read.
Jane Jane | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
Very informational article.
PhoenixRox | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
I didn’t know about this. I get to learn so much here! Thanks Lilly. This was very interesting
CaSundara | Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
Great article, very informative. I’ve thought I’ve had this for years, but wasn’t aware you could be properly diagnosed. I want to buy some of those light-bulbs this year, because I’m fed up with months of feeling low.
deep blue | Nov 7, 2009 | Reply
Really a S.A.D. experience. Glad I don’t have that.
jaysland | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
Lilly, I suffer from this and its the real deal. I can empathize with those who suffer from this. I do the bright light thing and it seems to help alot! ~Jay
STEVE666 | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
I could get this summer S.A.D. simply because we don’t get a summer!