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Seasonal Affective Disorder

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Summary
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Causes
Symptoms & Signs
Exams and Tests
Treatments
Prognosis
Possible Complications
When to contact a medical professional
Prevention
References
Disclaimer

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that occurs in relation to the seasons, most commonly beginning in winter.

Alternative names

Causes

The disorder may begin in adolescence or early adulthood. Like other forms of depression, it occurs more frequently in women than in men. Most people with the "winter blahs" or "cabin fever" do not have SAD. The cause of SAD is not known, but it is thought to be related to numerous factors, including: Ambient light Body temperature Hormone regulation A rare form occurs in the summer.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that occurs in relation to the seasons, most commonly beginning in winter.

Causes

The cause of SAD is not known, but it is thought to be related to numerous factors, including:

Ambient light
Body temperature
Hormone regulation

A rare form occurs in the summer.

Symptoms & Signs

Afternoon slumps with decreased energy and concentration
Carbohydrate cravings
Decreased interest in work or other activities
Depression that starts in fall or winter
Increased appetite with weight gain
Increased sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness
Lack of energy
Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
Social withdrawal

Exams and Tests

A visit to your health care provider will look for other causes of the symptoms and confirm the diagnosis. A psychological evaluation may be needed for more severe depression.

Treatments

As with other types of depression, antidepressant medications and talk therapy can be effective. Light therapy using a special lamp to mimic light from the sun may also be helpful.

Symptoms commonly get better on their own with the change of seasons.

Prognosis

The outcome is good with continuous treatment, although some people have the disorder throughout their lives.

Possible Complications

Seasonal affective disorder can sometimes progress to a major depressive syndrome.

When to contact a medical professional

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you experience symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.

Prevention

Individuals who have had recurrent seasonal depression should speak with a mental health care professional to explore treatments.

References

Lurie Sj, Gawinski B, Pierce D, Rousseau SJ. Seasonal affective disorder. American Family Physician. 2006;74:1521-1524.

Agerter DC, Rasmussen NH, Sutor B. Depression. In: Rakel RE, ed. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 58.

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Review Date: .1/15/2009

Reviewed By: Christos Ballas, MD, Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.1/15/2009

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Seasonal Depression: 5 Steps
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Seasonal Affective Disorder: Treating It Naturally

Seasonal Affective disorder, commonly abbreviated SAD, is a disorder that can cause much suffering. It occurs during the shorter days of winter and is also more acute for those in living in elevate...
Exercise
- Posted On January 27, 2007 01:00:15 PM
  ... they are meant for use to help relieve seasonal affective disorder) that I use and it really helps with my anxiety a lot. They aren't cheap, but if you can get your hands on one, I highly rec... Read More
- Posted On January 27, 2007 10:32:08 AM
  I've been kind of curious lately... apparently according to this site sitting in class, you burn calories? is that true? cause i mean, it doesn't feel that way to me. i consider burning calories ... Read More
taking medicine to help with ED?
- Posted On December 16, 2008 04:17:54 AM
  ...rder is displayed. I have issues with seasonal affective disorder and noticed my binging was getting worse as the days got shorter. SSRIs and similar prescription anti-depressants do not agree... Read More
- Posted On December 15, 2008 07:03:12 PM
  Hey ya'll, I was just wondering if any of you took some kind of prescribed medicine that has proven to be helpful in treating your ED? (Preferably bulimia.. but any information for other EDs could... Read More
D3 deficiency?
- Posted On May 2, 2009 05:41:20 AM
  ... of sunlight? How about those lamps for seasonal affective disorder? I'll ask my doctor about testing my blood. Read More
- Posted On May 2, 2009 06:38:20 AM
  ... you might look into a condition called seasonal disorder. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/seasonal_a ... e_disorder Read More
Who else finds it harder in the wintertime?
- Posted On November 2, 2007 04:13:56 PM
  ...s me convinced I have some disorder lol seasonal change something?.... I've been doing AWFUL the past few weeks (and I've been sick for about a week now and yea, that doesn't help). Anyway, ye... Read More
- Posted On November 3, 2007 11:54:17 AM
  ...s me convinced I have some disorder lol seasonal change something?.... I've been doing AWFUL the past few weeks (and I've been sick for about a week now and yea, that doesn't help). Anyway, ye... Read More
Feeling tired and sluggish
- Posted On January 5, 2008 07:09:05 PM
  ...m lately? It's winter. Maybe it's seasonal affective disorder. Read More
- Posted On January 5, 2008 07:00:12 PM
  Hi there. I was wondering if someone had any advice for me. I'm 5'3", 186 lbs. I've been eating between 1600 and 1800 calories a day. My problem is this: Since I started tracking my food intake, I'... Read More
Dreamlike Mental State
- Posted On February 21, 2008 07:12:01 AM
  ...lly frustrated. I think I might have seasonal affective disorder to a certain degree, too, since I don't seem to have these issues in the summer. I do find I'm more positive and happy in the... Read More
- Posted On February 20, 2008 01:41:43 PM
  Okay, my turn to ask a question. About three years ago when I started my whole weight-loss quest I was running the scale up pretty quickly. I made it up to 280 before I realized what was going o... Read More
WELLBUTRIN TO QUIT SMOKING?
- Posted On November 22, 2007 07:31:16 PM
  ...oved Uses: Major depressive disorder. seasonal affective disorder (SAD) smoking cessation Off-Label Uses: Weight Loss Bipolar Depression ADD/ADHD Fibromyalgia Arthritis Chronic Fati... Read More
- Posted On November 15, 2007 12:20:50 PM
  Just wondering... has anyone used Wellbutrin to quit smoking? Read More
Anyone taken/on Wellbutrin XL?
- Posted On April 10, 2009 12:02:25 PM
  ...tness and mental health. I suffered NO seasonal affective disorder symptoms or sadness and absolutely NO colds, flu or other physical ailments this winter. Wellbutrin helped me when I needed i... Read More
- Posted On April 9, 2009 01:38:34 PM
  A few weeks ago I was prescribed budeprion (generic for Wellbutrin) to help with my mild depression and anxiety. I've heard that decreased appetite and weight loss are somewhat common side effects ... Read More
I finally made a light box!
- Posted On March 17, 2009 02:36:12 AM
  ...hought you must have Seasonal Affective Disorder and were going to sit in front of the light to help your mood! My friend just bought one of those. Yours looks every bit as nice. Great job. Read More
- Posted On March 16, 2009 06:23:57 PM
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- Posted On December 1, 2008 07:25:13 AM
  ...ring the winter months. I think he has seasonal affective disorder to some degree. Read More
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My fifty-five cents the next day.
... have a theory... ever hear of S.A.D.? (seasonal affective disorder). I know I get it but generally not so soon in the year. It has everything to do with the amount of sunlight you receive. That...
- Posted On September 11, 2008 09:13:04 AM
  I always have to go to a tanning bed about mid winter to get over the blahs Read More
- Posted On September 11, 2008 10:27:26 AM
  Diagnosed SAD sufferer. Miserable. I have seriously considered a lifestyle of "Following the sun" from the US to the southern hemisphere every 6 months. Read More
Winter Blues & Vitamin D
Anyone ever get the winter blues? Where little to no sunshine means slow moving days, lack of motivation, sleepyness, and feeling a bit of the blues? What I heard is that Vitamin D can help to reve...
- Posted On August 20, 2008 08:39:15 PM
  Well I work at a Chiropractic clinic and our chiro says you get your Vitamin D from the sun. So in winter you should take vitamin D. I haven't heard anything about it helping with depression, but... Read More
- Posted On August 20, 2008 09:07:30 PM
  Apparently it's never been proven that vitamin D can effect your mood, but personally I think it can help. However vitamin D can definitely help you from getting that sickly pale look to your skin ... Read More
Sunny?
When is the last time the sun shone over your part of Illiois - It was 4 days ago for us. Nice to see it again! Although, cloudiness is more conducive to snuggling under a blanket and watching th...
- Posted On December 31, 2007 07:28:35 AM
  It was suuny all day here. I live about 20 minutes to St. louis. My eyes were burning but man did it feel good! Read More
- Posted On December 31, 2007 10:32:55 AM
  ...Gloomy again today. I thank God for my Seasonal Affective Disorder Lamp! Read More
Depression...
I can feel it coming on. Trying to fight it though. Yesterday and today started feeling super lonely.. I got online and no one was here, so I figured you guys had found another site to chat on. My ...
- Posted On January 13, 2009 03:54:45 PM
  ...ow that we got rid of yacky hula I get seasonal depression this time of year, from lack of sun. A trip or two to the tanning bed can do wonders. Not for the tan, for the UV rays. Read More
- Posted On January 13, 2009 04:05:24 PM
  ...thought about the blues being from SAD (seasonal affective disorder)? My daughter has this and my dad did, she crashes and burns after Christmas every year. Wellbutrin worked great for her the o... Read More
Hello!! Need Help making changes
Hi All, Just joined this group, I like the idea of making small changes, hopefully I can get some good ideas on where to start. Basically, I don't eat enough and exercise too much, I suffer ...
- Posted On September 3, 2008 03:22:53 AM
  ...using one of the S.A.D. light boxes for seasonal affective disorder? You'd be surprised... Read More
- Posted On September 2, 2008 05:59:59 PM
  Hello and you started in the RIGHT place! You have came so far and you recognize you pitfalls when it comes to your health and weight loss. That is a great thing. It is easy to hate ourselves ... Read More
Email from a friend
... is born with a cool temperature. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan. Smoking &Tobacco Use: Ban...
- Posted On February 23, 2009 03:35:16 AM
  Very informative...Thanks, MC. But, did they explain why you shouldn't put bananas in the refrigerator? I freeze mine to put in protein shakes...mmmm love bananas. Read More
- Posted On February 23, 2009 04:32:05 AM
  Wow. Who knew? Thanks, MC! :) Read More
An email I got.
... is born with a cool temperature. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan. Smoking &Tobacco Use: Ban...
- Posted On February 24, 2009 10:44:57 AM
  This is so true. Every morning I get up and eat a banana, it helps with my low blood sugars and gives me that high for a workout. Read More
- Posted On February 24, 2009 11:24:04 AM
  Thanks MadCat I carry at least 3 Banana with me when I go on long bike rides. Read More
More light, less chocolate
We all seem to get lazy in Winter (well, I know I do), stay at home more and cuddle up on the couch instead of taking long walks in the sun. In Berlin these days, there hardly is any sun, anyway. O...
- Posted On December 14, 2008 08:58:18 AM
  Yes, Annette, I'm also affected by the lack of light. My husband is even more affected because he works the night shift at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. He never sees the light and I've instructed... Read More
- Posted On December 15, 2008 01:19:19 PM
  Yes, Seasonal Affective Disorder is pretty common. I think that's what the saying "feeling under the weather" refers to. I also try to keep full spectrum bulbs (daylight simulation) in ... Read More
This pattern boggles my brain
- Posted On October 25, 2007 01:50:29 PM
  ...yone else like this - apparently it's a disorder of some sort, so Lucy says. Read More
- Posted On October 25, 2007 02:38:01 PM
  ...f people suffer from seasonal affective disorder. One of the symptoms is depression. A lot of people eat when they are depressed. Also agree with what Jessimka said. I eat a lot of unhealthy... Read More

Astrology and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Is Leo Predisposed?

Astrology In Real Life... Do you suffer from SAD? People with Seasonal Affective Disorder get the winter blues and I recently have become aware of how prevalent and serious this problem can be. Deprived of sunlight, people see their mood drop and it...

Blog Guelph: A Day for Sunflowers

A Day for Sunflowers, originally uploaded by TheGiantVermin. I think they've got seasonal affective disorder (SAD) all wrong. Me thinks it should be Seasonal Affective Defence - otherwise known as 'hibernation' in the natural world. It's dark and cold...

Are You Affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder?

The change in seasons can add charm to certain places, but some people go through Winter counting down to the arrival of Spring. Even the most delicious cup of creamy hot chocolate won't cheer up somebody affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a...

Another Drug for Another Disorder

T he FDA announced today that it has approved Wellbutrin XL, the first drug to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). How exactly does one define seasonal affective disorder? SAD is characterized by recurrent major depressive episodes that usually...

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Seasonal Affective Disorder: Treating It Naturally

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nictate: "...a big, cold, dull, dark, white, empty, never-ending blow my brains out, seasonal affective disorder freaking kill me now weather-front."

linuxglobe: @cdelcampon7 Recently, I found out I suffer from SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, so I bought a small light that simulates sunlight...

stu_art_ist: @felicityfuller I get 'seasonal affective disorder' in reverse, it's the summer months that get me down :)

11071987: HealthNews Dozen: 12 Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder - http://tinyurl.com/yb4zs68

ShoshannaBauer: @cocoandcabana Yep even tho the painting is really about me dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Thank goodness for sun today.

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Seasonal Affective Disorder

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Alternative names

Causes

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Causes

Symptoms & Signs

Exams and Tests

Treatments

Prognosis

Possible Complications

When to contact a medical professional

Prevention

References

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