Seasonal Affective Disorder

Some people experience a serious mood change when the seasons change. They may sleep too much, have little energy, and crave sweets and starchy foods. They may also feel depressed. Though symptoms can be severe, they usually clear up. This condition is seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It usually happens during the winter. A less common type of SAD happens in the summer.

What causes SAD? Some experts think it's a lack of sunlight during winter, when the days are shorter. In the United States, it is much more common in northern states. Light therapy, in which patients expose themselves to a special type of light for 30 minutes every day often helps. Other treatments include

Medicines
Changes in diet
Learning to manage stress
Going to a sunny climate during the cold months

Seasonal Affective Disorder on Wikipedia

'''Seasonal affective disorder''', or '''SAD''', is an affective disorder , or mood mental illness . Most SAD sufferers experience normal mental health throughout most of the year, but experience depression (mood) symptoms in the winter. SAD is rare, if existent at all, in the tropics, but is measurably present at latitudes of 30°N (or S) and higher.

Cause and treatment

Connections between human mood, as well as energy levels, and the seasons are well-documented, even in normal humans. Particularly in high latitudes (50°N or S) it is common for people to experience lower energy levels during the winter. Common cold and flu also peak during this time, and most people get less outdoor exercise than in the summer. Seasonal mood variations are believed to be related mostly to daylight, not temperature. For this reason, SAD is prevalent even in mid-latitude places with mild winters, such as Seattle. Prolonged periods of overcast weather can also exacerbate SAD. Normal "winter blues" can usually be dampened or extinguished by exercise and increased outdoor activity, particularly on sunny days, resulting in increased sun exposure. SAD, however, is a more serious disorder, sometimes triggering dysthymia or clinical depression. It may require hospitalization. Various etiology have been suggested.² One possibility is that SAD is related to a lack of serotonin and that exposure to full-spectrum artificial light may improve the condition by stimulating serotonin production although this has been disputed.^{3, 4} Another theory is that melatonin produced in the pineal gland is the primary cause.^{5, 6} There are direct connections between the retina and the pineal gland however some studies show that melatonin levels do not appear to differ between those with and without SAD. Light therapy appears to be effective ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Light For Health - Full spectrum light for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), PMS, winter blahs, and general lighting.

Stress Reduction Systems - Light boxes for seasonal affective disorder, Tempur-Pedic pillows.

The Light Therapy Center - Light therapy devices and equipment for use in treating migraines, seasonal affective disorder, pre-menstrual syndrome, and pain management. Includes expected benefits for various conditions.

Alaska Northern Lights - Information on Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD) and the North Star 10,000 light box used to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Bio Light - Light therapy for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), winter depression or winter blues.

Natural Lighting - Full spectrum lighting by Vita-Lite. Ergonomic desk lamps, energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. Used for seasonal affective disorder and ADD students.

Sunnex Biotechnologies - Low intensity light therapy for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder or winter depression. Educational information on light therapy, SAD and potential risk of eye damage from bright-light therapy.

Apollo Light Systems - Relief from SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Winter Blues through 10,000 lux, light therapy, shift circadian rhythms.

ETA Lighting Systems - Light therapy products for mood disorders and seasonal affective disorder.

Morning Starlight Light Therapy - System that provides featureless white light for treating symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.

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Bipolar Disorder
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder