1/24/06

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

If you are feeling blue, gaining weight and waking up tired, even though you're sleeping more this winter, you may have seasonal affective disorder.

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated half a million people every winter. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. Ronald Zec, associate professor of neurology and psychiatry at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, explains some symptoms of the disorder.

SOUND BITE: ". . . low self-esteem and feelings maybe of worthlessness and guilt . . . lower energy level, loss of libido or sex drive, lower, lethargy and proneness for fatigue . . . Seasonal affective disorder seems to be more associated with increase in appetite, specifically an appetite for carbohydrates -- sugars and starches and chocolate and such, and of course that will lead to a corresponding weight gain . . ."

Both men and women can have SAD, but is more common in women and it occurs more often in young adults, age 20 to 40. The disorder is more prevalent in the months of December, January and February when the days are shortest. Zec says people who suffer from SAD can be helped by some treatment options.

SOUND BITE: ". . . the treatment that is most commonly associated with seasonal affective disorder is bright light therapy, also called phototherapy or light therapy. This therapy consists of sitting in front of a commercially available light box that gives you a much brighter light than you would normally find in the home or even in the office setting."

Zec says getting more exercise can also help. If you or someone you know suffers from seasonal affective disorder and is not helped by bright sun light and exercise, you should see a doctor for evaluation and diagnosis.