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The Facts You Should Know About Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD)
Susan Dunn
**Any time you think you might be suffering from depression, you
should consult with your personal physician.** **This is not
medical advice; however if you’re not familiar with Seasonal
Affective Disorder (SAD), it’s something you need to know
about.**
1. SAD affects about 5% of the population seriously.
2. Sad affects about 25% of the population in its milder form --
"the winter blues."
3. SAD is a real illness with sometimes severe symptoms, says the
National Mental Health Association (NMHA), though it's not
completely understood yet.
4. Young people and women are at higher risk.
5. Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone secreted by the pineal
gland in the brain, is believed to be the cause.
According to the NMHA, "Melatonin is believed to cause symptoms
of depression and is produced at increased levels in the dark."
So when the days are shorter and darker ..."
6. When the seasons change, so do our circadian rhythms
("biological internal clocks), partly in response to the changes
in the sunlight patterns and this, too, has an affect.
7. In addition to depression-like symptoms, you may crave sugary
and starchy foods.
For a complete list of the symptoms, go here:
http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/27.cfm .
8. Treatment in mild cases involves getting more light.
Exercise helps too. Make arrangements to let more light into your
home and office. Get outside more. An hour's walk in winter
sunlight can be as effective as 2 ½ hours under bright artificial
light.
9. In more severe cases, phototherapy has been helpful.
This involves sitting in front of a light box which emits very
bright light through a filter.
10. If you feel you have SAD, please discuss your symptoms with
your personal physician.
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