Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that affects some people during the winter months. Most of us feel better on a bright, sunny day - and would admit to wanting to stay tucked up indoors on very cold, miserable days. But seasonal Affective Disorder is diagnosed when symptoms seem directly related to the reduced hours of daylight.

SAD is a reaction to lack of sunlight. Typically, mild or major depression starts in the autumn and finishes in the spring months. The incidence of SAD increases in line with the distance from the equator.

Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

But why does light - or the lack of it affect mood? when light hits the back of the eye - the retina it helps messages to pass the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that governs sleep, appetite, mood, sex drive, and how active we are. Reduced levels of light can slow us down in all these areas, yet the exact cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder is still not fully understood.

Low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin and higher than normal levels of the hormone melatonin are also possible factors in Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter.

The SAD Association estimates that SAD affects around half a million people every year between september and april. Around 20 percent of people with seasonal affective disorder suffer a mild form of illness, and this is called subsyndromal SAD and the winter blues. For others, SAD is a more disabling illness and requires treatment.

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Typically symptoms of SAD include

depression,
low levels of energy,
an increased need to sleep
feeling lethargic
poor concentration
irritability
low motivation
anxiety
loss of libido and
mood changes

According to SAD Association, you are more likely to start getting SAD between the ages of 18 and 30 - but it can affect anyone. However in some people the effect of S.A.D. can be quite severe, and bring about symptoms of depression that interfere with normal daily functioning.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Treatment

Most people with SAD probably never seek treatment and may only be vaguely aware that they feel down during the winter months. A small number of people experience symptoms so severe that they find it difficult to function properly without treatment.

Diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can normally be made if person suffers symptoms for 3 or more consecutive winter. Ironically it may be the partners of people with SAD (or others close to them) who spot the patterns of symptoms and their connection with the time of year, long before the person who has the disorder.

Seasonal Affective Disorder- light therapy : Fortunately, it has been shown that light therapy - regular daily exposure to full spectrum light via a special a light box during the winter months can improve symptoms for approximately 85% of those with SAD and the results are rapid. Many people see improvement within 3-4 days. Light therapy involves being exposed to a very bright light - about 10 times the intensity of normal domestic lighting - for between 1 and 4 hours a day. The person with SAD can carry normal activities such as reading or eating while in front of the box. In the U. K. boxes are not available on the NHS and have to be purchased from the retailers.

SAD Association believes that antidepressant drugs like tricyclic's are not always helpful for those with SAD.

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