Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasons can have a profound impact on mood. If you're vulnerable to the winter blues, you may experience a shift in mood that affects your ability to thrive – this is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is medically recognized as a sub-type of major depression. During the dark fall and winter months, the brain’s control center, the Suprachaismatic Nucleus (SCN) or body clock doesn’t receive the proper stimulus of light. The SCN needs bright light signals to reset itself each day. When it doesn't receive this signal, it malfunctions and produces the wrong hormones at the wrong time of day. Research shows that without enough sunlight, the brain doesn't produce enough serotonin, resulting in the symptoms of depression. The darker days also signal the brain to overproduce the hormone, melatonin.

People with SAD commonly have:

* Fatigue
* Carbohydrate cravings
* Weight gain
* Irritability
* Low sex drive

Early morning exposure to light therapy is found to be most effective for SAD. Some patients benefit from using the light in the afternoon as well. Studies have found light therapy to be as effective as medications to treat the depression associated with SAD is many cases. A strict schedule is best for optimal results.

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