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Seasonal Affective Disorder And Sun Therapy
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Published: October 5, 2006
Also known as winter depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is much more than just the winter blues.
The sense of sadness, loss and lethargy which can accompany the shortening days of fall and winter are exaggerated in people who experience SAD — developing into a form of depression known to affect more than 10 million Americans.
What are the symptoms?
• Intense and uncontrollable feelings of sadness
• Lack of energy
• The increased need for sleep
• Craving for sweets
• Weight gain
Symptoms often begin in the fall, reach their peak in the winter and usually resolve in the spring. Some individuals experience great bursts of energy and creativity in the spring or early summer. Regardless of the time of year, though, some individuals who work in buildings without windows may experience SAD-type symptoms any time of year. Furthermore, some people with SAD have mild or occasionally severe periods of mania during the spring and summer.
Who are the victims?
Although anyone (regardless of race or gender) can develop SAD, about 70 to 80 percent of those diagnosed are women. The most common ages of onset usually occur while victims are in their 30s, but childhood cases are becoming increasingly common.
What are the treatment options?
If the symptoms are mild, no treatment may be necessary. If they are problematic, then a mood stabilizer such as Lithium might be considered.
Brain studies have suggested the use of light therapy in reducing or eliminating depression symptoms. Therefore, light therapy has grown to become the most common treatments associated with SAD.
Light therapy takes both time and consistency to produce positive results. The time spent in front of the light is related to the intensity of the light source and the distance one sits from the light. The light devices cost about $250 to $500 and often are not covered by insurance. Some individuals who use a 10,000-lux box may only need 30 minutes of daily light treatment. However, the amount of light needed varies widely from individual to individual. The greatest benefits are usually derived when light therapy is practiced either in the morning or evening hours.
Other treatment options include regular exercise (especially helpful when done outdoors) and maintaining a healthy diet. These habits will not only increase the body's overall health, but they also will curb cravings for sweets (which is a common symptom associated with SAD.)
Even just spending time outside has proven to be effective with individuals who experience SAD. This is because outdoor sunlight, even when the sky is overcast, produces much more light at a greater intensity than light boxes. However, one cannot get early morning or evening sunlight outside so they must have time during the afternoon hours to spend outside for an hour or so.
The sense of sadness, loss and lethargy which can accompany the shortening days of fall and winter are exaggerated in people who experience SAD — developing into a form of depression known to affect more than 10 million Americans.
What are the symptoms?
• Intense and uncontrollable feelings of sadness
• Lack of energy
• The increased need for sleep
• Craving for sweets
• Weight gain
Symptoms often begin in the fall, reach their peak in the winter and usually resolve in the spring. Some individuals experience great bursts of energy and creativity in the spring or early summer. Regardless of the time of year, though, some individuals who work in buildings without windows may experience SAD-type symptoms any time of year. Furthermore, some people with SAD have mild or occasionally severe periods of mania during the spring and summer.
Who are the victims?
Although anyone (regardless of race or gender) can develop SAD, about 70 to 80 percent of those diagnosed are women. The most common ages of onset usually occur while victims are in their 30s, but childhood cases are becoming increasingly common.
What are the treatment options?
If the symptoms are mild, no treatment may be necessary. If they are problematic, then a mood stabilizer such as Lithium might be considered.
Brain studies have suggested the use of light therapy in reducing or eliminating depression symptoms. Therefore, light therapy has grown to become the most common treatments associated with SAD.
Light therapy takes both time and consistency to produce positive results. The time spent in front of the light is related to the intensity of the light source and the distance one sits from the light. The light devices cost about $250 to $500 and often are not covered by insurance. Some individuals who use a 10,000-lux box may only need 30 minutes of daily light treatment. However, the amount of light needed varies widely from individual to individual. The greatest benefits are usually derived when light therapy is practiced either in the morning or evening hours.
Other treatment options include regular exercise (especially helpful when done outdoors) and maintaining a healthy diet. These habits will not only increase the body's overall health, but they also will curb cravings for sweets (which is a common symptom associated with SAD.)
Even just spending time outside has proven to be effective with individuals who experience SAD. This is because outdoor sunlight, even when the sky is overcast, produces much more light at a greater intensity than light boxes. However, one cannot get early morning or evening sunlight outside so they must have time during the afternoon hours to spend outside for an hour or so.
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