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SAD
season of The Big Dark
 A good friend calls it The Big Dark - the time when dawn comes
later, dusk arrives earlier and days are longer. While the actual start
of winter and the longest day of the year have already past (in
December), many of us find it difficult to shake the winter blues of
January and February.
We make do by turning on our lights earlier and rescheduling our
activities. For thousands of adults though, the fall and winter seasons
can result in a persistent depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder
or SAD for short.
SAD is a short-lived, cyclical form of depression that occurs during
specific seasons. The more common "winter depression" usually starts in
late fall and continues until early summer. "Summer depression" begins
in late spring and continues until early winter. Although the exact
cause of SAD is unknown, evidence points to changes in the amount of
sunlight as a major factor.
As many as 6 out of every 100 people suffer from winter SAD with
another 20% having a milder form of the disorder. SAD is more prevalent
the further north you live and 4 times more prevalent in women than men.
Those affected with SAD will suffer depressed mood and fatigue. Other
symptoms include poor appetite, weight loss or gain and insomnia. SAD
patients report cravings for carbohydrate rich foods especially sweets
and starches.
Suffers may have a heavy feeling in their arms or legs. They often
complain of a drop in energy levels and a tendency to oversleep or
difficulty in waking from sleep. Some are unable to concentrate well and
have reduced work productivity. They may become unusually irritable.
Sensitivity to social rejection may lead to avoidance of social
situations. Suffers also report other symptoms normally associated with
depression such as guilt, hopelessness, helplessness, and a failure to
find pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. Physical symptoms can
include headaches and stomachaches.
As in all forms of depression, anyone suffering these symptoms should
see their doctor. While SAD will go away with the change of season, it
will most likely return.
Since a change in sunlight may be one cause of winter SAD, doctors
often prescribe light therapy. This treatment involves the use of
specially designed light boxes or visors. Patients use the equipment to
supplement their exposure to a specific light.
While few side effects to light therapy have been reported, some
patients have experienced eyestrain, headache, irritability, fatigue and
an inability to sleep. Light therapy can cause problems in people with
certain skin disorders or diseases, medical conditions and those taking
specific medications.
Patients should only use light therapy after seeing their doctor and
should follow directions precisely. Tanning booths should not be used
for light therapy since they have more ultraviolet rays, which can cause
skin and eye damage.
Doctors may also prescribe other behavior modifications or
medications as treatment. SAD can only be properly and safely diagnosed
and treated by a doctor.
Feeling depressed can be part of a natural reaction to life events.
When that feeling of sadness persists or prevents you from performing
daily activities or enjoying things that normally give you pleasure, a
trip to the doctor is warranted.
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