Are You SAD?

If your mood changes when the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—a form of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months. Every year people get this mood disorder that is caused by the lack of light during the colder months of the year. Many people suffer from mild symptoms that can include overeating and sleeping too much. It can bring on feelings of extreme fatigue and can disrupt your regular lifestyle. This form of depression causes feelings of sadness, apathy, and irritability. Those affected often have a lack of interest in social interactions and have less interest in enjoyable activities. SAD goes away in the spring and summer months, but consider consulting your doctor, a psychiatrist or other health professional to talk about possible treatment options.
Serious cases of SAD may be treated with psychotherapy or prescription antidepressants. Using light therapy as a treatment option can relieve less severe case of the condition. Light therapy, also called phototherapy, involves exposure to very bright light during the winter months. A special fluorescent lamp is used for a few hours each day. Most mild cases of SAD are simply treated with additional exposure to the sun. This can be as easy as taking a long walk outside or being near a window during the day.
For information online about SAD, log on to www.healthyminds.org or www.mentalhealthscreening.org/
SOURCE: American Psychiatric Association
http://www.psych.org/news_room/press_releases/sadtipsheet11302005.pdf

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