If you have noticed that your mood and motivation plummets come November and you never seem to bounce back to normal in April, then you may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
SAD - a chemical imbalance in the brain brought on by lack of light due to winter's shorter days and typically overcast skies - affects nearly 10-20 percent of all people, the majority of them being women.
Symptoms of SAD are:
- A change in appetite, especially a craving for sweet or starchy foods
- Weight gain
- A heavy feeling in the arms or legs
- A drop in energy level
- Fatigue
- A tendency to oversleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Increased sensitivity to social rejection
- Avoidance of social situations
If you feel like you suffer from SAD, there are ways to make it a little more manageable. To find out what they are, just read more
- Get outside as much as you can in the winter, even if it is cold and cloudy
- Get at least one hour exposure to natural light each day
- At home, keep window coverings open during the day to expose yourself to as much natural light as possible
- At work, request to have your desk moved close to or near a window
- Talk to you doctor for further treatment options (antidepressants, light therapy, etc.)
Robert Clergerie
Rosato
GHD
Ugh, I hate being SAD!
1My mother in law has SAD and she invested in a full-spectrum light that she sits in for about an hour a day. I think it helps her out, but for me, I prefer to get outdoors for a couple of hours a day, even in winter.
2hey i think i have year round SAD!!!! I'm diagnosed!!!
Or maybe I just oversleep, like sugar and hate cold...hhhmmmmm..... LOL
3I usually do light therapy during the winter when I'm stuck in an office with no windows all day (yuck). Nothing can beat natural light though. I've found that keeping busy outside of work is a huge benefit. It's easy to get into a slump when you miss out on daylight hours and feel like hiding out all the time.
4i used to have this.
5I got to college in Upper Michigan and a LOT of students experience SAD, including myself. I've found that the sunlight lamps help (they're fairly easy to get commercially now, and the counseling center has several), but only if you really use them regularly.
I find that I need to find that balance between having things to do and just relaxing. Playing broomball helps too.
6I am SO glad FitSugar posted this article, because I've noticed over the past few years that my depression gets WORSE during the fall and winter, as soon as the weather changes to the rainy season.
There are some great tips on here. Could someone please give me a quote on the average price for a light box or cost of light therapy, though?
7Light boxes range in price depending on the size. I've seen some small sunlight lamps for maybe $20-$25, and larger ones would certainly cost more. I know that when my whole family started experiencing SAD, our family doctor actually prescribed a light box for us and our insurance paid for it.
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