The Winter Blues - Symptoms and Treatments of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal Affective Disorder also referred to as SAD affects 4-6% of people in the USA. Although it is most common in women anyone can suffer from this wintertime depression that usually happens from early fall into the winter months. The most common cause of SAD is a lack of sunlight. The melatonin and seratonin levels drop due to a change in seasons and from a lack of sunlight. A less common type of seasonal affective disorder occurs in the spring and early summer. People that suffer from this usually have it year after year.

Symptoms for the winter blues are weight gain, depression, changes in appetite, feeling of hopelessness, sleeping more than usual, preferring to be by ones self and avoiding social situations, having no energy, not being able to enjoy anything, concentrating becomes difficult and you may develop anxiety. Spring and Summer SAD symptoms are weight and appetite loss, increased or no sex drive, having problems sleeping, no motivation what so ever, depression, anxiety and irritability.

There are ways in which you can help yourself by simply making your home brighter. Open up those curtains and shades and let the sunlight shine in. On sunny days and on cloudy days get outside as the light will help. Sit under a sun lamp each day. You can purchase a light therapy box that is specifically for SAD (see sunshine simulators below).

Exercise regularly as this will make you feel good about yourself. Increasing your intake Omega 3 fatty acids found in some fish, walnuts, and flax oil are found to have helped in depression. Vitamin D supplements or eating foods that contain vitamin D is very important. The herb called St. Johns Wart may help in mild cases of depression. But before taking any supplements you should discuss it with your doctor.

Everyone can have a bad day and feel depressed, but if it lasts longer than four days you really should go and talk to your doctor. There are antidepressants that can be prescribed to you by your doctor that can be beneficial especially if you have severe symptoms.