Seasonal Affective Disorder
When I first saw a physician about my depression, she suggested Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). As the days get shorter in the late fall & early winter, people may develop more depressive feelings, known as SAD. The lack of daylight can result in feelings of hoplessness, sadness, a drop in energy levels, fatigue, irritability, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite, sleeping for long periods of time, and even an avoidance of certain social situations.
To me, the most interesting thing about SAD is that the symptoms tend to reoccur at the same time every year (one of the major pointers of SAD, actually). 4 to 6 patients who are seen for their symptoms are diagnosed with SAD, particularly women and younger people. Six percent of those diagnosed even require hospitalization. Due to the small amount of light in the Northern states & countries, this disorder appears more comment the further North you travel.
While experts don’t fully understand the cause of SAD, some speculate that the hormone melatonin, which helps regulate your body’s sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm), plays a role. The main treatment “of choice” includes Bright Light Therapy where a patient is exposed to white light (or light with the entire spectrum of colors) that match the sensation of right after sunrise or right before sunset. The length of exposure time can range from 15 minutes to three hours even.
If you suspect you may be living with SAD, please read more about it and contact your doctor with your concerns.
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