Mental health conditions may result in a whole spectrum of different symptoms ranging from fairly mild such as feeling tired to extremely severe such as feeling suicidal, having delusions and hallucinations. Unfortunately there still exists a great deal of ignorance and stigma surrounding many forms of mental illness.
In terms of depression it is important that one is able to distinguish from those who say they are depressed because they have had one bad day to those who are suffering severe clinical depression and in a great deal of psychological torment. There are several different types of depression and issues relating to one specific type, seasonal affective disorder now discussed include:
- What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
- What are the risk factors associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder?
- Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression and is often more commonly referred to as SAD. The word seasonal indicates a key characteristic of this type of depression which is that this condition is related to the time of year. SAD occurs during the winter months when there is a marked decrease in the levels of sunlight.
Symptoms associated with SAD are the same as those occurring in sufferers of major depression and will tend to begin at the same time each year as the days get shorter in autumn/winter time and then start to lift in the spring as the days become lighter again.
What are the Risk Factors Associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder?
As with most forms of mental illness and especially in the case of depression there are certain risk factors which will increase the likelihood of an individual suffering from seasonal affective disorder. As identified by Dr Melvyn Lurie in Depression: Your Questions Answered, a patient is at a greater risk of developing SAD if he lives in the higher latitudes or regions where less light is available in the autumn and winter than during the spring or summer seasons.
This condition is believed to be more prevalent among certain groups including young people and women. SAD is also recognised as a condition that if beginning in a person's youth it may go on to resolve itself when the individual becomes older.
Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder
A commonly used form of treatment for those suffering from seasonal affective disorder is light therapy. A light-box which is a special form of light may be bought from most big chemists (such as Boots) and for a few hours each day, often in the early morning, the sufferer will sit beside it.
An alternative to using a light-box include using medications such as antidepressants. One of the simplest and easiest ways to reduce the symptoms of SAD is to make sure one has a regular amount of time outside whether it be walking the dog daily or gardening. This is especially helpful when the sun is out and may also reduce the need for using a light-box or medication.
Seasonal affective disorder is a condition that is very treatable. Therefore, it is really important that if one feels they are more prone to feeling depressed during the autumn and winter months it is sensible to consult one's family doctor for further advice.
Sources:
Elliott, C. & Smith, L. (2009) Borderline Personality Disorder For Dummies Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
Lurie, M. (2007) Depression: Your Questions Answered London: Dorling Kindersley.
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
