Seasonal Affective Disorder is a particular type of depression that is dependent on the changes of the seasons. SAD sufferers typically experience deep depression during the winter months while remaining perfectly normal during the rest of the year.
SAD is different from other forms of depression or mood disorders because it is solely dependent on the changing of the seasons.
During the winter, seasonal affective disorder patients will find difficulty getting up from bed, feel lethargic, lose interest in things that formerly excite them and show other typical symptoms of depression.
When spring approaches these same people will regain their energy and become excited about life again as their life returns to normal.
Oddly enough, sometimes this drastic behavioral change does not occur to afflicted SAD person that they are suffering from a psychological condition related to the changing of the seasons.
SAD is a recent discovery, having only been documented by psychiatrists since the mid 80's. Since it is a newly recognized disorder, many health care professionals may not yet recognize the full symptoms of SAD.
Typical symptoms experienced only during winter months include:
- chronic sadness
- excessive sleep
- lost of energy
- deep regret
- loss of motivation
- lack of interest in friends and family
- excessive weight gain
- no motivation
Like any other mood disorder the causes can be complex and there may be more than one method for resolving the problem.
The encouraging news is that there are cures for SAD. In fact there are multiple ways to alleviate SAD and bring energy and light back into your life.
Some methods are:
Cognitive Therapy
Taking active control over your thoughts and behavior, recognizing negative ones and forcibly changing them in a healthy way.
Light Therapy
Using safe high intensity lights that simulate sunlight to trick the body into thinking it is experiencing more daylight than it actually is during the winter months. Light boxes or SAD lamp enclosures are often used for a short period of time daily.
Diet
Changing bad eating patterns and paying attention to foods that may affect your mood and energy levels.
Often times, weight gain, carbohydrate cravings and lethargy associated with SAD can be due to diet preferences. Changing diet positively can improve SAD.
Drugs
Many varieties of antidepressant drugs are available for treating SAD with varying degrees of side effects.
With so many treatments you should not be discouraged if the first one or two methods you try do not work. With the proper SAD treatment you no longer need to continue to live with its' effects every time the leaves change.
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