Seasonal Affective Disorder 

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, occurs to individuals who show seasonal changes of mood and/or behavior. The most common of these mood changes is depression. The majority of sufferers have symptoms any time between September and May. Other names for SAD are "Winter Depression" or "the Winter Blues". Obviously because the condition occurs in the winter months.

The exact causes of SAD are unknown. One of the theories has to do with the pineal gland that secretes a chemical known as melatonin at night when there is a lack of light. This is a normal phenomenon and is what puts us in the mood to sleep. When dawn breaks the light turns off the production of melatonin. This is what wakes us up. SAD sufferers appear to have something wrong with their internal body clock.

There are three things that may lead to symptoms of SAD. 1) genetic vulnerability. 2) lack of light. 3) stress. Individuals with SAD who live in the northern US are more affected than those living in the southern US or any other country for that matter. Sufferers beware however, you may also experience symptoms during very cloudy summers or when spending large amounts of time in a windowless or badly lit environment or if you have an eye condition which reduce the amount of light entering the eyes, eg., cataracts.  

SAD probably accounts for about 1 in 3 cases of depression. SAD usually starts between twenty and forty years of age. Women appear to be slightly more vulnerable than men. However, men, children, adolescents, middle-aged and elderly people suffer also.

If you think that you may be affected, ask yourself these questions. If you can answer them positively, then you may have SAD.

When the Seasons Change, Do You……

• Have less energy than usual?
• Feel less productive or creative?
• Need more sleep?
• Feel down or depressed?
• Have less control over your appetite?

Some ask whether SAD is a mental illness? The literature says no. Although depression is a major, and very unpleasant, symptom of SAD, the scientific community believes that it is a disorder of the body's clock and therefore it is a physical illness.

Are you confused? Are you thinking that SAD and clinical depression are the same? Well, the obvious makes SAD different from depression. First off, individuals suffering from clinical depression show no seasonal pattern. They tend to prefer the dark. "Happy events" seldom cheer them up.

SAD sufferers do well in lighted environments. SAD sufferers are often "light hungry" and instinctively light their homes well or gravitate towards light sources. There is a comparatively low suicide and work absentee rate amongst SAD sufferers. "Happy events" and a period of sunny weather will lift their spirits. However, these are generalizations - there are plenty of SAD sufferers whose symptoms look like clinical depression rather than SAD and sufferers do commit suicide.

I know that many are asking if there is a cure for SAD. The only thing that you can do is to move on or near the equator within 30degrees. This will give your maximum exposure to the light of the day.

How do you treat SAD? The first-line treatment for seasonal affective disorder is phototherapy or light thereapy. The most commonly used phototherapy equipment is a portable lighting device known as a light box. The box may be mounted upright to a wall, or slanted downward toward a table. The individual sits in front of the box for a pre-prescribed period of time (anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours). Some individuals may have to undergo light therapy sessions two or three times daily, while others only once. The time of day and the number of times treatment is administered depend on the physical needs and lifestyle of the patient. Light therapy treatment for SAD typically begins in the fall months as the days begin to shorten, and continues throughout the winter and possibly the early spring.

Light therapy appears to be safe for most people. However, it can cause side effects of eyestrain, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, sunburn, and dry eyes and nose in some patients. Most of these effects can be managed by adjusting the timing and duration of light therapy sessions. A strong sun block and eye and nose drops can help prevent or alleviate the others.

Are there other ways that I could help myself?

It is important to look after yourself. Try to avoid stress as it is a major trigger for SAD. Light your home well. Sit near a window, and decorate in light reflective colors. Push yourself to get up early so you get lots of daylight. Aerobic exercise appears important, especially outdoors such as long walks or runs during the bright of the day. Eat properly. Also, some people find vitamin B12 helpful. Try a sunshine or ski holiday in late winter.