Have these last two weeks without sun affected your mood? Some people suffer from symptoms of depression during the winter months, with their symptoms disappearing during the spring and summer. These symptoms may be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder or otherwise known as SAD. SAD is a mood disorder associated with depression episodes and is related to seasonal variations of light. The most difficult months for SAD sufferers are January and February, and younger persons and women are at higher risk.
Symptoms of SAD Include:
regularly occurring symptoms of depression (excessive eating and sleeping, weight gain) during the fall or winter months.
full remission from depression in the spring and summer months.
regularly occurring symptoms in the past two years, without symptoms in the spring and summer.
ongoing cravings for sugary and/or starchy foods.
There are a few ways to reduce the effects of SAD. Phototherapy or bright light therapy has been shown to suppress the brain’s secretion of melatonin. Although, there have been no research findings to definitely link this therapy with an antidepressant effect, many people respond to this treatment. The device most often used today is a bank of white fluorescent lights on a metal reflector and shield with a plastic screen. For mild symptoms, spending time outdoors during the day or arranging homes and workplaces to receive more sunlight may be helpful. One study found that an hour’s walk in winter sunlight was as effective as two and a half hours under bright artificial light.
If phototherapy doesn’t work, an antidepressant drug may prove effective in reducing or eliminating SAD symptoms, but there may be unwanted side effects to consider. Discuss your symptoms thoroughly with your family doctor and/or mental health professional.
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