Sometimes, the weather outside is frightful but our lives are not so delightful. During the winter months, we become susceptible to low moods and depressive modes that are easy to fall into, and very difficult to climb out of. If you are feeling these symptoms often during the fall and winter months, you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder.
SAD SYMPTOMS
Seasonal Affective Disorder is characterized by several symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms include a significant lack in energy, feeling lethargic or constantly needing sleep. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is also characterized by an increase in appetite, followed by weight gain.
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, disappearing in spring and summer
* chronic sadness
* excessive sleep
* lost of energy
* deep regret
* loss of motivation
* lack of interest in friends and family
* excessive weight gain
* no motivation
SAD, being a mood disorder can have complicated causes and there may be more than one treatment for seasonal depression.
Studies have shown where you live may be a contributing factor to this disorder. It has been found that people living in extreme climates near the poles are more likely to contract SAD than people living in other parts of the world. The long winters with very few daylight hours may be to blame for this mood disorder. Often SAD light therapy is used to help people with SAD and has proven to be quite effective in alleviating the symptoms.
SAD QUIZ
You may be wondering if you suffer from SAD. Why not take this mini quiz and find out.
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
Treatments include psychotherapy, drugs and SAD light therapy. One of the most effective and least invasive treatment for SAD found thus far is light therapy, which is thankfully both affordable and easy to self-administer. Because SAD light therapy has been shown to be so effective there are web sites devoted to discussing how to use light therapy properly, what you should look for in light therapy boxes to treat SAD specifically and screen the best light therapy boxes for you to purchase. Some of the best advice come from stores selling light therapy lamps. - 30535
SAD SYMPTOMS
Seasonal Affective Disorder is characterized by several symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms include a significant lack in energy, feeling lethargic or constantly needing sleep. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is also characterized by an increase in appetite, followed by weight gain.
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, disappearing in spring and summer
* chronic sadness
* excessive sleep
* lost of energy
* deep regret
* loss of motivation
* lack of interest in friends and family
* excessive weight gain
* no motivation
SAD, being a mood disorder can have complicated causes and there may be more than one treatment for seasonal depression.
Studies have shown where you live may be a contributing factor to this disorder. It has been found that people living in extreme climates near the poles are more likely to contract SAD than people living in other parts of the world. The long winters with very few daylight hours may be to blame for this mood disorder. Often SAD light therapy is used to help people with SAD and has proven to be quite effective in alleviating the symptoms.
SAD QUIZ
You may be wondering if you suffer from SAD. Why not take this mini quiz and find out.
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
Treatments include psychotherapy, drugs and SAD light therapy. One of the most effective and least invasive treatment for SAD found thus far is light therapy, which is thankfully both affordable and easy to self-administer. Because SAD light therapy has been shown to be so effective there are web sites devoted to discussing how to use light therapy properly, what you should look for in light therapy boxes to treat SAD specifically and screen the best light therapy boxes for you to purchase. Some of the best advice come from stores selling light therapy lamps. - 30535
