Sometimes, the weather outside is frightful but our lives are not so delightful. During the winter months, we become susceptible to low moods and depressive modes that are easy to fall into, and very difficult to climb out of. If you are feeling these symptoms often during the fall and winter months, you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder.
SAD SYMPTOMS
Seasonal Affective Disorder is characterized by several symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms include a significant lack in energy, feeling lethargic or constantly needing sleep. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is also characterized by an increase in appetite, followed by weight gain.
Some symptoms are more mental than physical. People with SAD can feel intense anxiety, and have increased desires to be alone and withdraw from friends and family. It can even become difficult to focus on tasks and concentrate. For women, Premenstrual Syndrome symptoms can increase. Women, in fact, are much more likely to contract Seasonal Affective Disorder than men. Around 70 to 80% of those who suffer from SAD are women.
Some typical SAD symptoms include:
* mood problems only occur during the fall and winter; disappears in spring and summer
* chronic sadness
* excessive sleep
* loss of energy
* deep regret
* loss of motivation
* lack of interest in friends and family
* excessive weight gain
* no motivation
SAD, being a mood disorder can have complicated causes and there may be more than one treatment for seasonal depression.
Geography can also play a factor in contracting this disorder. People who live in extreme northern areas or extreme southern areas are more likely to contract SAD than others. Long winters and lack of light can contribute. Light therapy can be used to help those with SAD cope with the symptoms and achieve a normal lifestyle.
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER QUESTIONNAIRE
Do you have SAD? If you are curious of you suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), ask yourself a few questions:
1. Are your feelings about the weather actively inhibiting your life?
2. Are you so unhappy that you’re unable to perform basic tasks?
3. Are you sleeping significantly more hours per night, and do you still have trouble waking in the morning?
4. Has your spouse or your boss complained about your change in behavior?
4. Has your spouse or your boss complained about your change in behavior?
5. Do you feel seriously depressed only in fall and winter (as opposed to simply grumpy or out of sorts)?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, it’s possible what you’re experiencing is SAD. The encouraging news is that there are cures for SAD. In fact there are multiple ways to alleviate SAD and bring energy and light back into your life.
LIGHT THERAPY FOR TREATING SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)
Treatments include psychotherapy, drugs and SAD light therapy. One of the most effective and least invasive treatment for SAD found thus far is light therapy, which is thankfully both affordable and easy to self-administer. Because SAD light therapy has been shown to be so effective there are web sites devoted to discussing how to use light therapy properly, what you should look for in light therapy boxes to treat SAD specifically and screen the best light therapy boxes for you to purchase. Some of the best advice come from stores selling light therapy lamps.
