The Winter Blues & Seasonal Affective Disorder

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Dark, Rainy Days May Affect Your Mood
Seasonal Affective Disorder and The Winter Blues
by Debra Moore, Ph.D.



Many of us are eager for the sun. It seems to lift our spirits, give us energy and make us feel more like getting out and doing things. Rainy, dark days seem depressing. We feel like hibernating, some of us feel like eating more, and some folks sleep more.

But for most of us, these feelings are mild. We manage to continue our daily tasks. Even if we feel like crawling back under the covers, we don't. And if we charted our moods, researchers tell us they wouldn't fluctuate all that much depending on the weather.

But for about about 4 to 6 percent of Americans, a seasonal pattern of mood changes has a dramatic effect on their lives. Called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, reports of this disorder have appeared in the psychiatric literature for decades.

And estimates suggest that 25 percent of American women may suffer from winter blues, a milder form of SAD.

You may have SAD if you have extended periods of depression during the winter months of several different years and yet no depressive episodes during the summer. Depression associated with SAD is marked by physical symptoms as well as the feeling of depression. These symptoms include fatigue, increased sleeping, increased appetite, and social withdrawal.

The symptoms tend to occur through the months of November until March. The extent of impairment at home and work are basically what separates SAD from the milder winter blues.

Women with SAD or the winter blues report they switch from healthier eating patterns in the summer months to increased, and unhealthier eating during the winter. They may routinely gain about ten pounds. They may experience food cravings, especially for chocolate, sweets, breads, potatoes, and other carbohydrates.

In severe cases of SAD, it can feel as though three to five months a year are lost to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and depression. Sleeping may increase from seven to eight hours each night in the summer to ten, twelve, or even more hours in the winter. And it can still be hard to get out of bed in the morning.

In fact, it's a vicious cycle. Sleeping more causes even less exposure to daylight and sunshine, and the symptoms become worse.

The exact mechanisms by which SAD is caused are unclear. Scientists think the shorter, darker days not only affect our body's internal clock, but also actually affect chemicals and hormones in our brains. Some people, especially women, seem extra vulnerable.

For sufferers, several treatments are options. Self help may be enough for the milder winter blues. Consistent exercise, a healthy diet, avoiding oversleeping, and managing stress can go a long way. For more severe cases, antidepressants, cognitive psychotherapy and treatment with bright lights may all help.


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Dr. Moore is a licensed psychologist and Founder and Director of Fall Creek Associates. She is President of the Sacramento Psychological Association, adjunct faculty member in the School of Psychology at the Fielding Graduate Institute, teaches classes through The Learning Exchange, and frequently appear as a guest on public service programs having to do with psychology and emotional wellness. She has also written a newspaper column called Senior Wellness, which focuses on general psychology topics as well as those of special interest to senior readers. In addition to working with private clients, she welcomes the opportunity to disseminate information on psychology and mental health issues to the general public through her PsychPages website.
Last modified: August 7, 2002
information copied from www.the-bright-side.org

[KatieRose]

thanks for the info.

KatieRose

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Hey here's another thread i just found about winter blues and daylight savings time....it's a good one! (pg 37)
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ad.php?t=21024 (Daylight Savings and Winter Blues)