Seasonal Affective Disorder can strike even the most active people

By Barb Kampbell
Teams And Careers

2/7/2008

Each year more than a half a million people suffer from the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which includes too much or too little sleep, lethargy, overeating, depression and anxiety. It can start out mild and become more severe as fall moves into winter.

Dr. Deborah Gross, director of psychiatry at Pine Grove Women’s Center, said there isn’t specific diagnosis for SAD, but research has been done that links depression and other depressive disorders with seasonal changes.

A psychologist said instead of being diagnosed with SAD, it’s more of a simple case of personal neglect.

“Because your schedule gets so hectic, you neglect self care and that causes depression,” said Beverly Smallwood, a psychologist at the Hope Center.

Some describe SAD as cabin fever because of the shorter days and longer nights which trigger depression and other symptoms. It is a seasonal condition, according to the Mayo Clinic, which means that the symptoms come and go at the same times of the year.

Symptoms of SAD include:

• Depression

• Hopelessness

• Anxiety

• Loss of energy

• Social withdrawal

• Oversleeping

• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed

• Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates

• Weight gain, and

• Difficulty concentrating and processing information.

The specific causes of SAD remain unknown, according to the Mayo Clinic. It’s likely, as with many mental health conditions, that genetics, and the body’s natural chemistry makeup all play a role in developing SAD.

Specifically, the causes may include the circadian rhythm. According to the Mayo Clinic, some researchers suspect that the reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may disrupt the circadian rhythm in certain people. The circadian rhythm is a physiological process that helps regulate your body’s internal clock which lets you know when to sleep or wake. Disruption of this natural body clock may cause depression.

Another cause may be melatonin levels. Some researchers theorize that SAD may be tied to melatonin, a sleep-related hormone that, in turn, has been linked to depression. The body’s production of melatonin usually increases during the long nights of winter.

And Serotonin, a natural brain chemical that affects mood, may play a role in SAD. Reduced sunlight may cause a drop in serotonin, which can lead to depression.

Some studies show SAD to be diagnosed more often in women, but that men have more severe symptoms. It appears to be more common in northern locations, places with higher latitudes.

The Mayo Clinic suggests seeking medical advice if feeling down lasts for days at a time and sufferers can’t seem to get motivated to do activities they normally enjoy. This is particularly important if sleep patterns and appetite have changed, and certainly if feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of suicide, or if a person is turning to alcohol or drugs for comfort and relaxation.

Treatments for SAD include:

• Light therapy which mimics outdoor light and causes a biochemical change in the brain that lifts mood

• Medications such as antidepressants or other psychiatric medications, especially for severe symptoms

• Psychotherapy. Even though SAD is thought to be related to biochemical processes, a person’s mood and behavior can also contribute to symptoms. Psychotherapy can help a person identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors that may be making symptoms worse. Psychotherapy can also help a person cope with SAD and manage stress.

• Prevention. While there’s no known way to prevent SAD, some steps may help manage symptoms if taken early. Starting the above treatments early may help, and