what is SAD?

Question

Can somebody explain to me what seasonal affective disorder is?

Answer 1

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated half a million people every winter between September and April; in particular during December, January and February.

SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated half a million people every Winter between September and April, in particular during December, January and February.

It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter.

For many people SAD is a seriously disabling illness, preventing them from functioning normally without continuous medical treatment.

For others, it is a mild but debilitating condition causing discomfort but not severe suffering. We call this subsyndromal SAD or 'winter blues.'

The symptoms of SAD usually recur regularly each Winter, starting between September and November and continuing until March or April. A diagnosis can be made after three or more consecutive Winters of symptoms, which include a number of the following
Sleep problems: Usually desire to oversleep and difficulty staying awake but, in some cases, disturbed sleep and early morning wakening
Lethargy: Feeling of fatigue and inability to carry out normal routine
Overeating: Craving for carbohydrates and sweet foods, usually resulting in weight gain
Depression: Feelings of misery, guilt and loss of self-esteem, sometimes hopelessness and despair, sometimes apathy and loss of feelings
Social problems: Irritability and desire to avoid social contact
Anxiety: Tension and inability to tolerate stress
Loss of libido Decreased interest in sex and physical contact
Mood changes In some sufferers, extremes of mood and short periods of hypomania (overactivity) in spring and autumn.

Most sufferers show signs of a weakened immune, system during the Winter, and are more vulnerable to infections and other illnesses.

SAD symptoms disappear in Spring, either suddenly with a short period (e.g., four weeks) of hypomania or hyperactivity, or gradually, depending on the intensity of sunlight in the Spring and early Summer.

In sub-syndromal SAD, symptoms such as tiredness, lethargy, sleep and eating problems occur, but depression and anxiety are absent or mild.

SAD may begin at any age but the main age of onset is between 18 and 30 years.

It occurs throughout the northern and southern hemispheres but is extremely rare in those living within 30 degrees of the Equator, where daylight hours are long, constant and extremely bright.

Answer 2

Seasonal affective disorder means a person's moods change with the seasons. It is very easy to treat. A combination of medication, therapy, and some innovative techniques such as light therapy. I have bipolar disorder and found that the lights in my apartment needed to be changed. I use daylight simulation light's. Don't change the light bulbs yourself without the help of a licensed electrician. I almost had a fire because the lights I purchased were street lights and I tried putting them in my interior cans. The bulbs fit, but I turned on the switch and it melted.

Good luck and G-d bless !!

Answer 3

The body is affected by the amount of sunlight and some people are more sensitive to it. When there is less in the winter the person may become depressed. When there is more sunight a person tends to feel better. Depression might also occur when there is any change in sunlight even if its going to more. I wish I knew the chemical makeup of what really goes on.

Answer 4

SAD is a form of depression that correlates with the winter season. People feel sad, lonely, and depressed in the midst of holiday cheer and festivities. Seeing trees without their leaves and living in cold weather attributes to feeling desolated. It usually passes along with the season.

Answer 5

It is a condition where a person gets depressed during the winter season because of chemical changes due to the short day lengths.

It is treated by exposing the person to bright lighting.

Answer 6

Ok, it is also known as winter depression is an affective, or mood, disorder.

Answer 7

Is is winter depression caused by the lack of exposure to sunlight.

Answer 8

It's where you are depressed in the winter and happy and your normal self in spring/ summer. I think it is to do with dark evenings/lack of sun.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

yep, SAD happens when you don't get enough exposure to sunlight. there are special lights you can buy to alleviate the symptoms.