You may have heard of this disorder, and didn't think much of it. It affects between 4-6 % of the US population in a severe way. Many others are affected with more mild cases, and three quarters of SAD sufferers are women. It is most likely to affect women in their 20's, 30's, and 40"s.
"Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter, or, less frequently, in the summer, spring or autumn, repeatedly, year after year. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), SAD is not a unique mood disorder, but is "a specifier of major depression".
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Common Symptoms
Symptoms of winter SAD include:
- Fatigue
- Increased need for sleep
- Decreased levels of energy
- Weight gain
- Increase in appetite
- Difficulty concentrating
- Increased desire to be alone
Symptoms of summer SAD include:
I'm SAD...
What Can I Do About IT?
There are several different treatments for classic (winter-based) seasonal affective disorder, including light therapy with bright lights or sunlight, ionized-air administration, anti-depressant medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and carefully timed supplementation of the hormone melatonin.
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