Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is a depressive disorder that occurs in people who have a normal mental condition most of the time except in winter. SAD is rare if existent at all in the tropics, but in the areas distant from the equator there are significant numbers who are affected by SAD. SAD is considered to be related to daylight more than to temperature. Even the average person may be downcast in the winter due to long periods of overcast skies, colds and the flu but this can usually be corrected by exercise on sunny days and more exposure to sunlight, which develops an optimistic and positive attitude. SAD is much more severe and some people develop a depression that may require hospitalization.

There is an effective treatment for SAD. This should be under a doctor's care and he may suggest light therapy. Light therapy is usually done with a light box or with a light visor worn on the head like cap. Light therapy is usually done by the patient in the home and takes about thirty minutes a day and should be done about the same time each day. This seems to help many people but not everyone. If it helps it can be continued until the climate generates plenty of sunshine like in the spring. If light therapy doesn't work the doctor has other options that may be effective.

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