What Is Seasonal Depression And Ways To Prevent It

Do you seem to become sad every winter and just want to hibernate? You may think it is just your body trying to get used to the change in the weather or the change in time. But there is also another possibility. You may have what is called "seasonal affective disorder" also known as SAD.

Although it is common in the winter it can also occur in the spring. People who are diagnosed with SAD find themselves becoming more irritable and moody. If this happens to you every year, there are things that you can do to help you get through it.

What causes SAD: The causes are relatively unknown, as there are so many things that contribute to it. It can be caused by your internal clock. There is not as much sunshine and your body gets confused as to the time to go to sleep and wake up. In the summer, the darkness of nighttime does not come until after 9:00 pm, so you get used to going to bed late. In the winter the amount of sunshine changes and the sky becomes dark between 4 and 5 pm. Your body wants to go to bed but your mind believes that it is too early to do so. Serotonin levels also play a part in SAD. A reduction in the amount of sunshine you get causes your serotonin levels to drop and this triggers depression.

Females have a higher chance of having this disorder. People who have been diagnosed with depression before also have a high chance of having this disorder during the winter months. While more women have been diagnosed with SAD, men who have been diagnosed with it have more severe symptoms. If someone in your family has been diagnosed with it then you are more at risk of contracting it than those who have no family history of it. If you already have depression then it may become worse in winter. SAD is actually more common in people who live far from the equator as there is less sun in the winter.

So if you find yourself being moody, suicidal, or feeling withdrawn from society when winter appears then you could very well have SAD. But all is not lost, there is treatment for this. Your doctor could prescribe anti-depressants that you only take during the winter months. Light therapy also works. With light therapy you are exposed to bright light that mimics the summer sunlight. This will cause the chemicals in the brain to change and your mood will improve.

So if you think you have SAD you should go see your doctor and let him help improve your life during the winter months. Don't let SAD lessen the quality of your life. Change it today and you'll be happy you did.

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