Changes in the seasons can have a profound effect on some people's emotional state. This condition, known as seasonal affective disorder or sometimes simply affective disorder, can be treated with special types of light.
Identification
Seasonal affective disorder is a condition marked by changes in mood that correspond with the seasons. The most common form of seasonal affective disorder occurs during the fall and winter months, and it is thought to be related to decreased amounts of sunlight in that time of year, the American Psychiatric Association explains.
Symptoms
Patients experiencing seasonal affective disorder might gain weight and have changes in appetite, Family Doctor explains. They also might become depressed, fatigued and be irritable or anxious. Seasonal affective disorder can also cause people to avoid social situations and to be overly sensitive to being rejected socially.
Light Therapy
Patients suffering from seasonal affective disorder might benefit from light therapy, states the Mayo Clinic. This type of therapy involve exposing the patient to special lamps that can generate a chemical change in the brain, relieving some of their symptoms.
