Seasonal depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) will effect 10 million Americans this year with another 25 million never diagnosed. Seasonal depression occurs each year when winter months begin and days are shorter. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association, the essential feature is the onset and remission of major depressive episodes at characteristic times of the year. Usually beginning in October or November and lasting until March or April.

There have been myriad experiments conducted on the effects of light or lack of on the human body. There is some indication that sunlight entering through the retina, stimulates the production of chemicals in the brain that have antidepressant effects.

Studies also show that humans respond to darkness by producing more melatonin, which acts like a tranquilizer on the body,relaxing us and encouraging sleep. In one hour of darkness our bodies produce five times as much melatonin as during daylight hours. At dawn, the sunlight will usually cause the body to stop producing as much melatonin.In Winter months enough light is not always received to trigger the signal to stop production.

The result is feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability, inability to concentrate and extreme fatigue. Other common symptoms are craving carbohydrates and increased appetite with weight gain.
In more pronounced cases significant social withdrawal occurs as well.
Katharine Orr, adult and acute care registered nurse practitioner with Dr.William Daniel’s office in Manchester explains that the mood disorder is most commonly seen in people who live in high latitudes where seasonal changes are most drastic. Younger persons 18-30 are at highest risk with women making up 60% to 90% of those affected.

This malady is specified by the episodes reoccurrence over a period of two years with little or no other depressive episodes.
Research shows that light therapy is an effective treatment. Light therapy or phototherapy, is the administering of light for at least 30 minuets each morning. Symptoms begin to alleviate within 2 to 4 days and reach full benefit within 2 to 4 weeks. They return almost immediately after discontinuation and so treatment must continue throughout the entire season.

Traditional antidepressant drugs are not helpful because they exacerbate the symptoms of sleepiness and lethargy.
Some non-sedative type drugs paired with light therapy have proven to be an effective treatment.
Researchers are determining if this is actually a completely different disorder or perhaps a manifestation of another common mood disorder coupled with increased isolation and a “cabin fever” type of feeling.

Katherine Orr also asks us to consider this; historically all religions have a major holiday at the beginning of the “dark season” when days are shorter. Such as Christmas, Hanukah, Ramadan and Carnival. But all focus on preparation and celebration that end as winter solstice ends- and days begin to get longer.
If you feel that you have been experiencing these symptoms you should not try to self diagnose. See your doctor immediately for a full assessment. These symptoms may accompany other illnesses and a health professional is needed to determine the cause of the symptoms.

Psychotherapy, counseling and therapy are also helpful treatments as they help patients to accept their disorder and employ exercises to alleviate symptoms.

The National Organization for Seasonal Affective Disorder (NO SAD) is also available for support and treatment options.
There is still much research to be done in this field but there are practices to successfully combat the disorder.

Learn more about different types of depression
By: Kelly Sons