Don't be SAD!

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Information

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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a disorder that is thought (by the experts) to be caused by Light Deprivation (lack of sunlight). SAD is typically characterized by feelings of lethargy, fatigue, cravings for certain types of foods (carbohydrates), excessive sleep, anxiety and sometimes other symptoms.

Although researchers aren't exactly sure how SAD occurs, they do know that the pineal gland (a tiny organ near the center of the brain) plays a vital role. The gland is controlled by light, which travels a complex pathway from the eyes to the brain (see picture below), but reaches the pineal gland only if it (the light) is much more intense than ordinary room illumination.

In periods of darkness (or what is interpreted as darkness) the pineal gland produces melatonin, a hormone that shows "significant sedative properties". It is commonly believed that melatonin levels in SAD patients are either too high or irregular. This suggests that extra doses of bright light can cause the pineal gland to produce less melatonin thereby eliminating some of the symptoms of SAD. (Source: Woman's Day Magazine) (See illustration below)

Although SAD affects all types of people, women are most vulnerable, and the 20's through the 40's seem to be the prime ages for this problem. SAD runs in families and most patients have at least one close relative with a history of depression (often SAD). It is not known exactly why women are more vulnerable to SAD, but it is suspected that it is related to the cyclical secretion of the female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone.

Most people with SAD eat more in the winter. They also report a change in their food preference from the salads, fruits and other light fare of summer to high-carbohydrate meals: breads, pastas, potatoes and sugary foods. Many report that eating carbohydrates actually makes them feel better and more energetic.

People with SAD are particularly susceptible to moving into dark places in the summer, even when the prospective home may seem adequately illuminated, and the memories of SAD may be far away. Many people clearly associate light deprivation rather than the season for their symptoms. One woman reports: "On gray or stormy days (no matter the season) I become very depressed. The longer the duration of this weather, the lower I feel. As soon as the sun appears, my mood drastically improves. I do not like a dark environment and will seek out bright areas. Dark rooms are oppressive to me".

People with SAD may suffer all sorts of physical problems during the winter months...from backaches, muscle aches and headaches...to different types of infections. Many people with SAD feel as though they suffer from the flu all winter long. (source: Winter Blues, by Dr. Norman Rosenthal, MD)

Many people who suffer from SAD have found relief from the symptoms of SAD by using Light Boxes specifically designed for the treatment of this mood disorder.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also know as SAD, is a mood disorder which should not be confused with "holiday blues" or "Christmas Depression". Unlike these episodes of sadness which arise when loneliness, bad memories, or psychological issues are in conflict with the amplified sense of joy in the environment, SAD has a physiological basis. Clinical depression is something quite different from situational sadness. Many people are affected in some way by the changing seasons, but for most people, these changes do not cause problems. For people who suffer from SAD there is a greater sensitivity to the lack of light in winter. For these people the change of seasons is a problem.

Might You Have SAD?

With such a high rate of incidence, it is likely that you know at least one person with SAD. Unfortunately many people don't realize that they have SAD and many others don't realize that it is a treatable disorder. What clues should you look for? The key indicator for SAD is seasonality. Symptoms are persistent, but tend to come and go year after year at approximately the same time of year. Usually, symptoms will appear sometime in the Fall and will remit sometime in the Spring. Exactly when a person's season begins and ends varies with the person.

This is not a complete list of symptoms and it is important to note that not all SAD sufferers have the same set of symptoms. SAD in children, for instance, tends to manifest itself in different ways from SAD in adults. It is not uncommon for SAD to be misdiagnosed. For instance, SAD in children may simply be dismissed as the usual emotional upheaval of adolescence. While many children have already been diagnosed with SAD, researchers at the National Institue of Mental Health (NIMH) estimate that up to one million more adolescents have the disorder but are yet to be identified. Some SAD sufferers are affected whenever there are several overcast days in a row, regardless of the season. Also, in our modern society, it is possible for a person to work long hours in a windowless environment and hardly see the daylight. This can quite effectively mask the seasonality of the disorder. If you suspect that you may have SAD, you should discuss it with your doctor.

How Can SAD be treated?

As with any mood disorder, any treatment for SAD should be undertaken under the guidance of a qualified health professional. Exposure to bright light, known as phototherapy, has been found to be an effective method of treating SAD. The SAD sufferer will sit in front of a Light Box, a specially designed bright light unit, for a given time each day. Sometimes this treatment is coupled with other methods of treatment similar to those of other major depressive disorders. This approach may include the use of antidepressant or mood stabilizing medication and/or psychotherapy. Individual sensitivity to the light therapy varies, so it is necessary to work with a health professional in order to determine the optimal intensity, duration and time of day for the treatment. Generally, light therapy takes about a half hour each morning during the patient's season.