For more information on seasonal depression click here
December is Seasonal
Depression Awareness Month
Seasonal Depression (also called Winter Depression and Seasonal
Affective Disorder, or SAD) is a type of depression that
occurs with the change in seasons and may be related to the
amount of available daylight.
According to the American
Academy of Family Physicians, six out of every 100 Americans
(6%) suffer from SAD. Another 10 to 20 percent may
experience a milder form of SAD. SAD is more common in women
than in men.
While it often begins in the late twenties,
children and teenagers are also at risk. It is a condition
that is more common in people living in northern parts of
the country. Usually those affected by SAD become depressed
in the fall and winter and feel better during the spring and
summer.
People who suffer with SAD can experience trouble sleeping, changes
in eating habits, lack of energy, and irritability. Symptoms
may also include those observed with other types of
depression, such as a lack of interest in activities that
were previously enjoyable, unexplained physical aches and
pains, and ongoing feelings of guilt and hopelessness. For
those with SAD, symptoms tend to return every year around
the same time. People suffering from SAD experience these
and other symptoms to such a degree that they feel unable to
function normally.
Scientists believe that SAD is most likely caused by the body's
reaction to the lack of sunlight that is typical during
winter months in northern regions. This belief, supported by
research conducted at the National Institute of Mental
Health, resulted in the development of light therapy as a
treatment for SAD. If this type of therapy is considered a
viable option for a person showing symptoms of SAD, a doctor
will make the appropriate referral. Treatment may also
include medication, behavior therapy, or a combination of
all three. If you think you may be suffering with SAD, a
doctor or other licensed mental health professional can help
you determine the best treatment for you, based on your
symptoms and previous experiences. Fortunately, with the
right treatment, people with SAD no longer have to dread the
changes in season that are as inevitable as the passing of
time.