Information on Seasonal Affective Disorder
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as the winter blues and the winter blahs, is a condition caused by lack of exposure to sunlight. This occurs generally when the days get shorter and darker during the winter months, but can also be triggered by a move to a darker climate or a darker house or office. Light is instrumental in affecting the brain's chemistry. This is connected to the production of Melatonin and Seratonin. Melatonin is the hormone that is connected to sleep. This is produced in greater quantities in the dark. Seratonin is a neurotransmitter that carries signals between the nerves in the brain, which is produced at lower levels in darker conditions. Lack of Seratonin is known to be a cause of depression.
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Depression is the most striking symptom of S.A.D. Sufferers often experience a feeling of gloom and despondency for no apparent reason. Alternatively, they exaggerate their own problems to correspond with this new feeling, which can of course have a knock on effect on relationships with partners, friends and work colleagues. This is especially significant in children who often do not associate what they are experiencing with an internal problem. A child may verbalise a cause for his symptoms i.e. relationships at school or at home.
- Fatigue and lethargy are also symptoms and this can lead to inability to carry out normal routine. Normal tasks often seem more difficult and sufferers experience anxiety and feel unable to cope.
- Despite this feeling of tiredness, S.A.D. sufferers often have difficulty sleeping or have disturbed nights, although they may struggle to stay awake during the day.
- Inability to think clearly is another symptom as explained by Norman E Rosenthal: "It is very difficult, if not impossible, for them to summon up the information and knowledge needed for their work - or even casual conversations. They are not able to keep up with what is going on around them and what needs to be done.
- Socially S.A.D. sufferers often have a tremendous desire to hide away and curl up in the corner. They are reluctant to socialise and can be irritable.
- Loss of libido has also been connected with S.A.D. and sufferers find that they are less interested in sex and physical contact.
- Craving for carbohydrates is another symptom of this condition and is believed to be related to the attempt to replenish energy levels. Rosenthal studies showed that S.A.D. sufferers experienced increased energy after eating carbohydrates even though the opposite is experienced by people without this condition. This can, of course, lead to weight gain.
- Some people can experience physical discomfort. This can vary from backache, muscle ache and headache to different types of infection.
Who gets Seasonal Affective Disorder?
It is not fully understood why some people will get S.A.D. symptoms in winter while others will not. More research is going on in this field all the time.
Treatment of S.A.D.
Many sufferers know that they feel low in the winter months. Some may have had a name given to their condition but MOST people do not realise that there is an effective and painless treatment and that the treatment does work. Because S.A.D. is caused by lack of exposure to sunlight, it can be easily treated with bright light therapy. By simply sitting in front of a light box on a daily basis symptoms of S.A.D. can be drastically reduced or eliminated. Our S.A.D. products include light boxes and dawn simulators. If you are unsure as to whether a light box is the right things for you, try our light box rental service which lets you rent a light box by the month.
Some of the information for this page was taken from "Winter Blues" by Norman E Rosenthal.
Disclaimer
Information included in this website is intended for information purposes only and is not to be used as a substitute for consultation with a medical practitioner.
