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Medical Condition - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal Affective Disorder - Medical Description

asaSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of seasonal depression that normally occurs during the fall and winter seasons when the days are shorter. There are two types of SAD. One is called winter depression, winter blues or hibernation reaction. The second is known as summer-onset depression or Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder was first recognized as a medical condition in the 1980’s. What causes SAD? Some say our circadian or normal biological rhythms that influence sleepiness, hunger and other physiological and psychological functions are affected when we receive shorter amounts of daylight. A couple of areas that may be affected are our melatonin levels (for sleep) and serotonin levels (low levels cause depression).

SAD is more common in the northern part of the states because the winters are longer and harsher. It is suffered more by women that men who are between the ages of 20-40. Some people with SAD experience very mild symptoms while others are debilitated. Symptoms return year after year and come and go at about the same time every year.


Medical Symptoms

Symptoms for Winter SAD / Seasonal affective disorder (usually begin in the fall and last until spring):
  • Change of appetite – craving sweets and starches
  • Weight gain
  • Decrease in energy level
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Oversleeping
  • Irritability and anxiety
  • Desire to be alone
  • Depression
  • Severe cases can involve thoughts of suicide

Symptoms for Summer SAD / Reverse seasonal affective disorder (usually begins in the late spring or early summer and goes away by winter):
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Heightened anxiety
  • Agitation
  • Increased sex drive
  • Depression

Medical Diagnosis

With seasonal affective disorder it is very important not to self diagnosis. See a physician and he or she will determine the level of depression by looking over your symptoms.


Medical Treatment and Relief Solutions

Treatments can involve one or more of the following:

  • Phototherapy – is available in the form of lamps or light boxes that use full-spectrum bright light. You should stay within 2 feet of the light for 30 minutes a day. The light required is approximately 25 times normal living lighting. Tanning beds should not be used to treat SAD. Light sources in tanning beds are high in ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can harm your eyes and skin.
  • Medication – antidepressants (SSRI’s) such as; flouxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloff), paroxetine (Paxil), and citalopram (Celexa). Possible side affects: insomnia, diarrhea and decreased sex drive.
  • Ionized-air administration – involves the release of charged particles into the sleep environment.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Supplementation of the hormone melatonin
  • Exercise
  • Increased outdoor activities, particularly on sunny days

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