Seasonal Affective Disorder [SAD]

Have you ever noticed that as winter approaches and the days get shorter and the mornings duskier, you are more inclined to feel a bit down or low! Many of you may consider it just a passing feeling, but according to medical researches, this low feeling is actually a mild from of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or seasonal depression.

What is SAD?

SAD is a form of winter depression that effects an estimated half a million people a year. It usually lasts from September all the way to April, but is particularly experienced from December to February. For most people who suffer from SAD it can be extremely debilitating.

A person’s emotional state, relationships and overall satisfaction from life is affected to the extent that s/he cannot function normally without proper help or medical treatment.

Most people take SAD as a non-serious manner and simply dismiss it as winter blues. But it is a serious form of winter blues and for people who actually suffer from this form of depression, it is a very serious matter.

SAD is often misunderstood by both doctors as well as the general public. However, it is more common than most people think.

Who Gets SAD?

Certain people are more likely than others to develop seasonal affective disorder (SAD). They include:

• Women, 60 to 90% of all people diagnosed with SAD are females.
• An older teen or young adult. Younger people for some reason are at higher risk for developing SAD. The main age of onset is between 18 and 30 years.
• People living far away from the equator. People who especially live in the northern hemisphere are more prone to developing SAD.
• People who work or live indoor most of the time, where there is little or no sunlight. For example people who work nightshifts, and sleep during the day have a much higher risk for getting SAD.
• People with weak immune system. Most SAD sufferers also show signs of a weak immunity system during the winter and are more susceptible to infections and other illnesses.

Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder - SAD

The exact cause of SAD is not clearly understood, but researchers believe that it is caused by chemical imbalance in the brain between serotonin and melatonin. This occurs as a result of decreased exposure to daylight or lack of sunlight.

During the fall/winter months, less light passes through the eyes and this slows down the release of serotonin. Serotonin is the brain’s “feel-happy” chemical.

When serotonin is not released in sufficient amounts, symptoms of depression occur. Melatonin is also affected by lack of sunlight and excessive amounts are released due to insufficient light. This excessive release of melatonin also contributes to symptoms of depression.

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder - SAD

Symptoms of SAD include:

• Feeling depressed or sad
• Lethargy
• Difficulty maintaining concentration
• Increased weight gain accompanied by sugar cravings
• Difficulty getting up in the morning
• Sleeplessness
• Social withdrawal
• Irritability and feelings of misery
• Guilt and loss of self-esteem
• Tension
• Inability to tolerate stress
• Extremes moodiness and short periods of hypomania or over-activity.

If SAD is left untreated, the symptoms of this form of depression get worse as winter sets in. In the northern hemisphere, SAD affects one out of every five people. Some experts also believe that SAD is caused by a disturbance in the body's natural biological clock, due to decreased exposure to sunlight.

An important way to diagnose if one suffers from SAD is to find a pattern of depression that has been occurring for at least two consecutive years. Seasonal affective disorder occurs the same time each year and subsides as soon as spring arrives. If this condition persists, it is advised that the patient get professional help or it may escalate to a higher problem.