Ahh…the “Winter Blues”. We are all affected by the
changes in daylight in one way or another. For some people, a more advanced
form of cyclical depression can set in during the months of September to
November and last until the early to mid spring months. Seasonal Affective
Disorder (S.A.D., appropriately) is recognized by the DSM IV (manual
published by the American Psychiatric Association that covers all mental health
disorders for both children and adults) and is considered a form of major
depressive disorder. The only distinction between S.A.D and other major
depressive disorders is the timing of episodes, which occur during the short,
dark days of winter.
Common S.A.D. symptoms:
-Depression:
Low
mood, worse than and different from normal sadness
Negative
thoughts and feelings
Hopelessness
Withdrawal from friends and family
-Sleep problems:
The need
to sleep more and more often with a tendency to oversleep
Difficulty staying awake during the day and/or disturbed sleep at night
-Lethargy:
Fatigue,
which can be incapacitating, can make it difficult to carry out normal routines
-Over eating:
Cravings
for carbohydrates and sweet foods as an energy source can lead to weight gain
-Changes in cognitive function:
Difficulty with concentration and memory
-Social changes:
Irritability
Difficulty spending time with people
Anxiety:
Tension
– Everyday stresses may be harder to handle
Other common symptoms include…
Headaches
Decreased immune function, making illness and infection more common and
prolonged
Loss
of libido – disinterest in sex and other physical contact
S.A.D. is diagnosed after three consecutive winters
of suffering with the above symptoms.
