Winter months can hit some harder emotionally than others. People particularly vulnerable to seasonal moods during the fall and winter get slammed with low and depressive moods that are difficult for them to shake. If you feel some of these symptoms only during the fall and winter seasons then you may have SAD.
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER SYMPTOMS
While SAD is a form of depression, there are a few symptoms which is particular to this particular ailment. Common elements of SAD include loss of energy, lethargy, chronic oversleep and increased appetite with a corresponding weight gain only during the affected seasons.
Other symptoms are more psychological. Intense anxiety, withdrawal from friends and family, difficulty focusing and concentrating on tasks are common to seasonal affective disorder sufferers. Women may experience increased PMS symptoms. In fact women are most susceptable to SAD as 70% to 80% of SAD victims are women.
Some typical SAD symptoms include:
* mood problems only occur during the fall and winter; disappears in spring and summer
* chronic sadness
* excessive sleep
* loss of energy
* deep regret
* loss of motivation
* lack of interest in friends and family
* excessive weight gain
* lack of motivation
SAD, being a mood disorder can have complicated causes and there may be more than one treatment for seasonal depression.
Location can be a contributor to SAD. Studies have shown people who live in extremely cold northern or southern regions of the planet are more likely to contract SAD than others. Most likely, the long winters with short hours of daylight are the cause. SAD light therapy is often used to combat that problem and alleviate SAD symptoms for many, allowing them to live normal lives again.
SAD QUIZ
Do you have SAD? If you are curious of you suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), ask yourself a few questions:
1. Are your feelings about the weather actively inhibiting your life?
2. Are you so unhappy that you're unable to perform basic tasks?
3. Are you sleeping significantly more hours per night, and do you still have trouble waking in the morning?
4. Has your spouse or your boss complained about your change in behavior?
4. Has your spouse or your boss complained about your change in behavior?
5. Do you feel seriously depressed only in fall and winter (as opposed to simply grumpy or out of sorts)?
If you answer yes to most of these questions, it is possible you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder. The good news is that SAD is curable. There are numerous treatments used to remove SAD symptoms and bring normalcy back to your life.
LIGHT THERAPY FOR SAD TREATMENT
Three common therapies for treating SAD are psychotherapy, drugs and therapy using bright SAD lamps. Light therapy has proven to be one of the most effective treatments for SAD with no side effects. It is affordable and easy to administer. Often just sitting beside one of these specialized light boxes is enough to get rid of SAD disorders. Numerous web sites are available online discussing light therapy usage, light treatment tips and SAD light shopping ideas. - 29881
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER SYMPTOMS
While SAD is a form of depression, there are a few symptoms which is particular to this particular ailment. Common elements of SAD include loss of energy, lethargy, chronic oversleep and increased appetite with a corresponding weight gain only during the affected seasons.
Other symptoms are more psychological. Intense anxiety, withdrawal from friends and family, difficulty focusing and concentrating on tasks are common to seasonal affective disorder sufferers. Women may experience increased PMS symptoms. In fact women are most susceptable to SAD as 70% to 80% of SAD victims are women.
Some typical SAD symptoms include:
* mood problems only occur during the fall and winter; disappears in spring and summer
* chronic sadness
* excessive sleep
* loss of energy
* deep regret
* loss of motivation
* lack of interest in friends and family
* excessive weight gain
* lack of motivation
SAD, being a mood disorder can have complicated causes and there may be more than one treatment for seasonal depression.
Location can be a contributor to SAD. Studies have shown people who live in extremely cold northern or southern regions of the planet are more likely to contract SAD than others. Most likely, the long winters with short hours of daylight are the cause. SAD light therapy is often used to combat that problem and alleviate SAD symptoms for many, allowing them to live normal lives again.
SAD QUIZ
Do you have SAD? If you are curious of you suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), ask yourself a few questions:
1. Are your feelings about the weather actively inhibiting your life?
2. Are you so unhappy that you're unable to perform basic tasks?
3. Are you sleeping significantly more hours per night, and do you still have trouble waking in the morning?
4. Has your spouse or your boss complained about your change in behavior?
4. Has your spouse or your boss complained about your change in behavior?
5. Do you feel seriously depressed only in fall and winter (as opposed to simply grumpy or out of sorts)?
If you answer yes to most of these questions, it is possible you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder. The good news is that SAD is curable. There are numerous treatments used to remove SAD symptoms and bring normalcy back to your life.
LIGHT THERAPY FOR SAD TREATMENT
Three common therapies for treating SAD are psychotherapy, drugs and therapy using bright SAD lamps. Light therapy has proven to be one of the most effective treatments for SAD with no side effects. It is affordable and easy to administer. Often just sitting beside one of these specialized light boxes is enough to get rid of SAD disorders. Numerous web sites are available online discussing light therapy usage, light treatment tips and SAD light shopping ideas. - 29881
About the Author:
This excerpt from the "Beating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) With Light Therapy" book worth $35 at www.SadTherapyBook.com. Find out how to get it FREE at www.SadTherapyLamps.com, the SAD light specialists with sales on the best sad lamps.
