Seasonal Affective Disorder

By Kathy Schlossmacher

For some people the feeling associated with the cold and dark can become something more than just a couple of days of low energy. Sometimes this feeling of sadness can become something bigger. While not the same as major depression, the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder are very similar.

Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mood disorder affecting how someone perceives or acts during a particular time of year. More frequently experienced in the winter, SAD can also show up during the summer, but is much rarer. According to the website familydoctor.org, SAD affects an estimated half million sufferers and is more common in women than in men.

Symptoms of SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder is characterized by serious mood changes that manifest themselves similarly to chronic depression. People who suffer from this disorder report depressive feelings, a desire to sleep more often and for longer periods, little energy and a craving for sweet and starchy foods.

Diagnostic criteria include a sense of depression at a particular time of year that goes into a remission and that can be characterized by mania at the opposite time of year. For diagnostic purposes this depression/remission cycle should occur over two years and the depressive feelings should exist longer than other depressive experiences in a person's life.

Treatment

SAD is treatable by a variety of different methods. Some people are given anti-depressant drugs such as Prozac and Wellbutrin to combat the depressive symptoms. Some providers have reported excellent results with light therapy. This therapy requires that the patient spend some time in front of a light box mechanism exposing him or her to white spectrum light over 30 to 40 minutes each day, usually in the morning. This absorption of light helps the person who often suffers from SAD due to the lack of sunlight during the fall/winter months.

Also successful has been negative air ionization which sends charged particles into the air while a patient sleeps. These particles help the patient's perception of light/dark making better use of the limited natural light that exists.

Some professionals recommend behavior therapy which helps the patient change the negative behaviors of eating starchy foods or sleeping all the time by getting the person to go outside during the lightest part of the day. Outdoor exercise is also recommended to take advantage of the natural light that exists during the winter as well as to help the patient feel better.

It is important for those who suffer from SAD to attempt to act opposite to their inclination to stay inside, sleep and withdraw. Key to successfully navigating the disorder is to stick to routines, sleeping appropriately, eating well and not giving in to the need to stay inside.

SAD Can be Debilitating

This disorder needs to be taken seriously since as in all depression there is a chance of suicidal behavior. While this is not true for all sufferers, it is indeed the case and sufferers need to be aware of this and seek emergency help if necessary.

Don't Give Up

The most important message to sufferers is to not give up. There is help out there. As a recognized psychological condition there are treatments and help to be had. Don't minimize the feelings of sadness; if these feelings are becoming overwhelming then professional help can provide what is needed to develop the coping strategies needed to deal with the illness.