November to April – Months of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Do you feel sad, fatigued and less motivated during the months of November to April? Is there any craving for sweets? The observations may be weird. But the reasons are reported to be scientific by research studies. This condition is called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD in short. In United States, 10 to 20 percent of the population has SAD in mild form. This fact is according to a report by the American Psychiatric Association.

“This condition, characterized by depression, exhaustion and lack of interest in people and regular activities, interferes with a person’s outlook on life and ability to function properly. The most common type of this mood disorder occurs during the winter months.”

– Dr. Angelos Halaris, Professor of Psychiatry, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, Illinois.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD:

• There are light sensitive cells in our brain.
• These cells are associated with our moods, behavior and general well being.
• They require exposure of our body to light for their proper functioning.
• SAD is caused due to chemical imbalance in the brain when these cells lack exposure to light.
• Bad light is common during the winter season due to shorter days and overcast skies.
• That is why, lack of exposure to light make people depressed during this season.
• This condition is genetically linked. So people who are prone to this disorder suffer from it more than others.
• Women complain of this condition more than men.
• SAD can be treated with antidepressants and Light therapy.

We should pay timely medical attention depending on the seriousness of the condition. Researchers say that the drugs to cure Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD will be available in the market by 2012. They suggest moderate outings in the months of winter too as a preventive step against SAD.

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