Seasonal Affective Disorder

HealthWatch for January 2005
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From November through March, the average amount of sunshine per month in Cleveland is 34%, opposed to 60% each month during the rest of the year. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) occurs mostly in women and young adults during the winter months. SAD is a disorder that most often affects people that live in the northern hemisphere. It is the lack of light during the winter months that triggers depression. Although SAD is most common in the winter months, it can be experienced during the late spring or early summer. As a person gets older, the risk of developing SAD decreases.

Some symptoms are…

tiredness
anxiousness
irritability
craving for sweet or starchy foods
daytime drowsiness
lack of concentration
sensitive about social rejection
heavy feeling in arms or legs
weight gain

Tips on brightening your mood during the winter months…

Go for walks.
Sit close to windows to absorb natural light.
Embrace winter by getting involved in outside activities.
Vacation in a sunny location.
Light therapy
Volunteer
Create and “Do” your special winter social calendar

Sources: familydoctor.org, WebMDHealth, City-Data.com

Information and Resources:

The Cleveland Clinic Information Center
KidsHealth: Teens Cope with SAD
MayoClinic.com
National Mental Health Association: Seasonal Affective Disorder Fact Sheet
National Organization for Seasonal Affective Disorder
NetWellness: Community Health Information
Society for Light Treatment & Biological Rhythms
University of Minnesota Duluth: Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder
WebMDHealth: Beating the Winter Blues