Seasonal affective disorder sad, formally referred to as recurrent depression with seasonal pattern, is a type of depression that tends to occur and recur as the days grow shorter in the fall and winter. You may have seasonal affective disorder sad, or seasonal depression, a type of depression triggered by seasonal light changes. Our cats even the happiest, most active and energetic ones can suffer the same dramaticread more. When it rains for weeks on end or people live in dark places that get very little sunlight during the winter, people are more vulnerable to seasonal affective disorder. I thought it would be interesting to share 8 quick facts about seasonal mood disorder and figured that the best way. Approximately 10 million adults in the united states are affected by seasonal affective disorder. For about 5 percent of the population, this seasonal sadness is classified as seasonal affective disorder, or clinically diagnosed depression with. Doctors have commented on the seasonality of depression in their patients for hundreds of years. Estimated to affect 10 million americans every year. Seasonal affective disorder sad, also known as seasonal depression, is a misunderstood and serious condition thats often trivialized. Let us learn some interesting facts about this great technology, such as what it is and why is it gaining importance.
Seasonal affective disorder is a relatively recent diagnosis. Seasonal affective disorder sad is a mood disorder in which major depressive episodes andor manic episodes occur at predictable times of the year, with depressive episodes typically occurring during the fall and. Light therapy is one of the more interesting and innovative ways by which seasonal affective disorder, skin disorders and other ailments can be treated. The classic initial studies on seasonal affective disorder sad, which defined the condition, were conducted at the national institute of mental health nimh on 29 patients, 93% of whom had bipolar illness. As many as 6 of every 100 people in the united states may have sad. The most interesting support for our dependence on daylight emerged with a condition called seasonal affective disorder, or sad. Seasonal affective disorder sad symptoms and causes. But humans are not the only ones affected by what scientists refer to as seasonal affective disorder or sad. Far worse than the average winter blues, the phenomenon of depressive symptoms cycling with the change of seasons has been studied. Seasonal affective disorder is not a discrete disease but reflects the seasonality of affective illness. Seasonal affective disorder is a specific type of depression that occurs at the same time every year.
Its not related to the normal reasons behind depression and will pass once the light comes back at springtime. Fast facts about seasonal affective disorder september 26, 2018 by medoptions far worse than the average winter blues, the phenomenon of depressive symptoms cycling with the change of seasons has been studied since the mid1990s. Essay on seasonal affective disorders 1731 words cram. Seasonal affective disorder from a tcm perspective. Cats and seasonal affective disorder sad animal guardian. Some interesting facts about seasonal affective disorder include.
This is why it was originally believed to be a winter season mood disorder. Sad is a seasonal mood disorder relating to a reduction of light. Seasonal affective disorder statistics indicate that the number of cases of sad is much higher in countries in the northern hemisphere and the farther north you travel, the more common the disorder is, probably as a result of the shorter days over winter in the northern hemisphere. Chromotherapy is a method of treatment that uses the visible spectrum colors of electromagnetic radiation to cure diseases. Approximately 4 to 6% of the population is affected by seasonal affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder, or sad, is a type of recurrent major depressive disorder in which episodes of depression occur during the same season each year. Love the crisp autumn air but hate how you depressed you feel when the sun begins to set while youre still at the office. Very shiny and expensive, but for me a regular 100 watt lightbulb did wonders. If youre like most people with sad, your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. Medline has included a separate medical subject heading mesh for seasonal affective disorder. Facts about seasonal affective disorder the psychology. Rosenthal et als 1984 paper defined seasonal affective disorder sad for the first time.
Below, weve found 15 interesting mental disorders worth further research. For about 5 percent of the population, this seasonal sadness is classified as seasonal affective disorder, or clinically diagnosed. Sad is four times more common in women than in men. It is believed that affected people react adversely to the decreasing amounts of sunlight and the colder temperatures as the fall and winter progress. Somatic symptom disorder facts from around the world. Unfortunately, this interesting mental disorder is hardly limited to the world of fiction. The surprising facts about seasonal affective disorder sad. Other names for seasonal affective disorder are winter depression, winter blues, summer depression, summer blues, or seasonal depression. What causes major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern. Facts continued sad is more common in northern geographic regions, like new england. Seasonal affective disorder summer variant has also been found in patients.
As such, people who struggle with managing their moods during this time are probably already thinking ahead. Seasonal affective disorder sad is an extreme form of the winter blues, depression that occurs at the same time each year, bringing lethargy and curtailing. Sad isnt the winter blues sad is a form of clinical depression that affects around five percent of the american population. People affected by sad often have trouble regulating their melatonin and serotonin levels, which control mood and sleep. These are all things that can cure the winter blues. Seasonal affective disorder, or sad is a type of major depression that one experiences during specific times of the year. Seasonal affective disorder sad is a type of depression that returns about the same time every year.
Seasonal affective disorder sad is the term for depressive periods that are related to a change of season. For years, the gold standard of sad treatment has been light therapy. Understanding the basics of seasonal affective disorder. Here are some interesting statistics to consider about those that suffer with sad. The prevalence of seasonal affective disorder or sad is always concurrent with major depressive conditions. It is usually experienced by individuals with normal mental health, but then experience symptoms of depression during summer or winter.
Plus other mustknow facts about seasonal affective disorder sad. Seasonal affective disorder sad is a form of depression that occurs due to lack of light, usually during the winter months. Whether sad is a distinct mental illness or a specific type of major depressive disorder is a topic of debate in the scientific literature. Seasonal affective disorder sad is a type of depression thats related to changes in seasons sad begins and ends at about the same times every year. While experiencing the winter blues is fairly common, the effects of sad can be debilitating to those who feel its effects. To reach a diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder sad, you need to suffer from seasonal depression for at least two years running, according to psychiatrist jerry halverson, md. Here are some interesting facts about seasonal depression.
While some people may suffer from not enough sunlight, others may become depressed or anxious from too much sun. Seasonal affective disorder is usually considered the winter blues from not enough light. One of the more interesting facts is that 5 percent of the northern u. Seasonal affective disorder sad is characterized by recurrent episodes of depression, usually in late fall and winter, alternating with periods of normal or high mood the rest of the year. As winter days become shorter, melatonin increases in the body, making those affected feel more tired, down, and. The effects or symptoms of seasonal affective disorder change based on the season that it affects you in. In the yellow emperors classic of medicine it is said, people and nature are inseparable. Seasonal affective disorder sad symptoms, causes, treatments. After doing a physical exam, claires doctor ruled out other problems that cause fatigue and mood changes and diagnosed claire with seasonal affective disorder, or sad, a disorder now classified by the dsm5 as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern. It is a centuriesold concept used successfully over the years to cure various diseases. The process involves sitting near a light box for around 30 minutes after. However, anyone of any age can get seasonal affective disorder no matter where they live.
Fast facts about seasonal affective disorder medoptions. Five surprising facts about seasonal affective disorder sad. Violent tendencies and insomnia are common during summers while oversleeping and eating are found more during cold days. It is estimated that half a million americans are negatively affected by the changing seasons and darkening of the summer light. In persons with a chronic medical disease, depression often makes the management of chronic illness more difficult. If you suffer from seasonal affective disorder or may think you or someone you know does there are some important facts about it that you need to know in regard to how it does effect people, available treatment and more. We have undertaken a critical analysis of chromotherapy and documented its scientific evolution to date. Somatic symptom disorder ssd, formerly known as somatization disorder, is a mental disorder where physical symptoms cannot be explained fully by a general medical condition or by the direct effect of a substance, and are not attributable to another mental disorder. You may also find yourself sleeping longer hours and craving highcarbohydrate comfort foods. Seasonal affective disorder sad is a syndrome typically used to describe a recurrent, seasonal pattern of depressive episodes. Perhaps youve seen the hollywood representation of alien hand syndrome as a plot twist in a movie. In nature the cyclical movement of the heavenly bodies produces atmospheric influences that exert control over the rhythms of the seasons and is.
A critical analysis of chromotherapy and its scientific. Sad is more common in northern geographic regions, like new england. Although not as common, a second type of seasonal affective disorder known as summer depression can occur in individuals who live in warmer climates. Most people experience sad during the fall and winter, though occasionally some suffer sad. Seasonal affective disorder statistics and geography. The facts about seasonal affective disorder royal examiner. Sad may also describe other affective episodes mania or hypomania that occur in a seasonal pattern. Psychologists share things they wish you knew about seasonal affective disorder sad. Depression in its own right is a disabling condition impairing all aspects of human function.
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