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Seasonal Affective Disorder
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
SAD is an illness with recurrent episodes of depression in certain months of the year, alternating with periods of normal mood the rest of the year. Usually those affected by SAD become depressed in the fall and winter and feel better during the spring and summer. The symptoms are affected by the number of hours of daylight.
What are the symptoms of SAD?
The symptoms of winter depression include oversleeping, carbohydrate craving, and weight gain. Other symptoms are the usual symptoms of depression, including loss of interest in sex, tiredness, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts and social withdrawal.
What causes SAD?
The cause of SAD is unknown. Researchers are studying different theories, including brain chemical changes, hormonal problems and changes in the body in response to different lengths of daylight.
What happens to people who have SAD?
SAD is usually a chronic, lifelong condition. Most people with SAD are women whose illness typically begins in their twenties. Milder versions of SAD have been reported in children and teens. As many as 12 million Americans suffer from SAD, and as many as 35 million Americans have a milder version of the disorder which leaves them more tired, less productive, and prone to gain a few pounds during the winter months.
What is the treatment for SAD?
Bright flourescent light (not ordinary household light) has been shown to reverse the winter depressive symptoms of SAD in most people. For most people with SAD, a light box is prescribed. A light box is a full-spectrum fluorescent light (with the harmful ultraviolet rays screened out) designed to provide bright light to SAD sufferers. The patient is given a schedule for sitting in front of the lights for a certain period of time each day, usually in the morning. The length of time in front of the lights and the brightness of the lights are prescribed much like a dose of medicine.
What can I do to make the best possible recovery from SAD?
- Go out of doors during the daytime for at least a half-hour every day. Even on cloudy days the natural light will help you.
- Expect and accept that your body will require more sleep during winter months and plan to get the rest you need.
- Expect and accept that you may crave carbohydrates and gain a few pounds during the winter months. Don't criticize yourself for this. You will probably lose the extra weight in the spring months.
- Some people feel better keeping their home well lit during the winter months. Although it has not been proven that regular indoor lighting is helpful to people with SAD, if you feel better with increased indoor lighting, it can't hurt.
What can I do to prevent the symptoms from coming back once they're under control?
There usually are periods of time when symptoms return. We call a period of increased symptoms a relapse. If a relapse occurs, it is important to identify the symptoms as soon as you can and see your mental health professional right away. For most people with SAD, relapse can be prevented by using the light box each year as the daylight hours become shorter in the fall.
Where can I learn more About SAD?
There are several good books about SAD and its treatment:
David D. Burns Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy. 1999.Mary Ellen Copeland Living without Depression and Manic-Depression: A Workbook for Maintaining Mood Stability. 1994.
Colette Dowling You Mean I Don't Have to Feel This Way? 1993.
Patty Duke and Gloria Hochman A Brilliant Madness. 1998.
Jan Fawcett, Bernard Golden and Nancy Rosenfeld New Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder 2000.
Kay Redfield Jamison Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide. 1999.
Max Fink Electroshock: Restoring the Mind. 1999.
Frederick Goodwin, and Kay Redfield Jamison Manic-Depressive Illness. 1990.
Jack Gorman Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs. 1998.
Kay Redfield Jamison An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness. 1997.
Kay Redfield Jamison Touched with Fire: Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament. 1996.
Donald F Klein and Paul H Wender Understanding Depression: A Complete Guide to Its Diagnosis and Treatment. 1994.
Francis M Mondimore Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families. 1999.
Francis M Mondimore Depression: the Mood Disease. 1993.
Papolos, Dimitris. F. and Papolos, J Overcoming Depression. 1997.
Dimitri Papolos. and Janice Papolos The Bipolar Child. 1999.
Andrew Solomon The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression. Scribner, 2001
William Styron Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness. 1992.
The following organizations can provide help, information and support:
National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association (NDMDA). A national support and information-giving group for people with Depression and Manic-Depressive Illness and for their family members and friends. There are local meetings throughout the New York metropolitan area and across the country. For information, call NDMDA at 1-800-82-NDMDA or you can reach them online at www.ndmda.org
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). An international support and information-giving organization for people with psychiatric illness and their family members. For information about NAMI membership and availability of local meetings, call 1-800-950-NAMI, or reach them online at www.nami.org
