What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
With dropping temperatures and shorter
days, some may notice their mood can hit a record low of its own. This
could be seasonal affective disorder, with the fitting acronym,
SAD. This disorder has mood changes that correlate with the seasons and
happen the same time every year and It is also called seasonal
depression.
What are the Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Symptoms may include low energy,
anxiety, feelings of sadness or grumpiness, little motivation to do fun
things and excessive sleep. People often have an increased appetite with
a craving for carbohydrates. SAD normally occurs in the fall and winter
months and is rare in the spring and summer months.
What are the Risk Factors for SAD?
There is no known direct cause of SAD.
However, a drop in sunlight exposure is related to lower serotonin
levels. Here are some facts about the trends seen in SAD. It is more
common in:
- Women
- People between the ages 15-55. Symptoms get better with age
- The months of January and February when the days are the shortest
- People with a relative who has SAD
- People who live in areas where the amount of sunlight changes drastically with the seasons
It can be easy to brush these feelings
off as “winter blues” or “holiday depression”. The truth is that these
feelings can become as severe as clinical depression. Relationships,
jobs and even physical health can be affected. A diagnosis of SAD is
made when the depressive symptoms completely go away when the season
changes (this is in the spring for most) and are present for at least 2
years. It is estimated that 6% of Americans have a diagnosis of SAD.
How is SAD Treated?
The treatment of light exposure has shown
excellent results. Light therapy can improve a patient’s mood as
quickly as a week after starting treatment. The patient purchases a
light box and is advised to sit in front of it for at least 30 minutes
daily (usually in the morning). It is a mood booster and the closest
thing to actual sunlight. It is important to purchase a high quality
light box (2,500 – 10,000 lux) and use it daily to guarantee the best results. If not used consistently, depressive symptoms may soon return.
Other effective treatment options include
antidepressants and counseling. Also, natural sunlight will always
have a positive impact. Those precious times when the sun is shining are
not to be taken for granted. Taking walks outside or opening the blinds
on a sunny day can work wonders. With the right treatment, those with
SAD can expect a bright mood forecast ahead (pun intended).
About the Author
Dion Short Metzger, MD is
a board certified psychiatrist who emphasizes the importance of the
recognition of psychiatric disorders among patients and their families.
She has a passion for assisting those who suffer from mental illness
while trying to dispel the stigma attached to such labels. She believes
that education is the most powerful tool at her disposal to make that
possible.
Source: rxeconsult
