DESCRIPTION
Seasonal Affective Disorder is where the sufferer changes mood depending on the season. The majority of people only suffer from SAD during the winter. For example, in spring they may feel full of energy, happy and social and enthusiastic. However, in summer they may feel anxious, not be able to sleep, agitated, lose weight, have a poor appetite and have an increased sex drive. The time when the person is lowest is during the winter in what is known as the "winter blues". [1] During this period, the sufferer can experience depression and many of the other symptoms previously mentioned.
CAUSES
The cause of SAD is not fully understood but it is believed to be caused by many things. It is said that it can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain or it could be passed genetically. [1] SAD can be caused by the way the hypothalamus part of the brain gets messages from light which controls sleep, mood and appetite. This means that the person experiences these functions differently (lack of sleep, depression and loss of appetite.) [2]
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of SAD include feeling fatigued, having sleep problems, a loss of sex drive, stress, feeling reclusive, self doubt, crying, a change in appetite and a craving for foods high in carbohydrates and sweet food, mood swings, weight gain, difficulty concentrating and not wanting to participate in activities that are found enjoyable. [1]
PREVALENCE AND SUSCEPTIBILITY
Almost half of a million people suffer from SAD every winter. [3] Throughout the world SAD is quite common. Twenty percent of all Scandinavians have the disorder. One in five people in Ireland suffer from SAD. [4] Ten percent of the northern European population suffer from SAD and it can occur at any age. It mainly happens between the ages of eighteen and thirty. Twice as many women than men have the disorder but it's hard to get an accurate result as many people won't admit to having the symptoms. Children can get the disorder and if it isn't diagnosed early on in the child's life, it can have negative effects later on. [2]
TREATMENT
SAD can be treated through light therapy, in which the sufferer is exposed to very bright light for up to four hours a day. This has been shown to be effective in up to eighty five percent of all diagnosed cases. The patient may also be treated with antidepressants to help lift the persons mood but the side effects of these drugs include lethargy and tiredness which are some of the symptoms of the illness. There is also psychotherapy and counseling which helps the patient accept they have the illness and teaches them how to cope. [3]
SOURCES
[1]- NHS Direct
[2]- MIND, understanding SAD
[3]- http://www.sada.org.uk/whatis.htm
[4]- http://www.lumie.com/help/quick-guids/sad