Sometimes, the weather outside is frightful but our lives are not so delightful. During the winter months, we become susceptible to low moods and depressive modes that are easy to fall into, and very difficult to climb out of. If you are feeling these symptoms often during the fall and winter months, you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder.
SAD SYMPTOMS
Seasonal Affective Disorder is characterized by several symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms include a significant lack in energy, feeling lethargic or constantly needing sleep. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is also characterized by an increase in appetite, followed by weight gain.
Other symptoms are more psychological. Intense anxiety, withdrawal from friends and family, difficulty focusing and concentrating on tasks are common to seasonal affective disorder sufferers. Women may experience increased PMS symptoms. In fact women are most susceptable to SAD as 70% to 80% of SAD victims are women.
Some typical SAD symptoms include:
* mood problems only occur during the fall and winter; disappears in spring and summer
* chronic sadness
* excessive sleep
* loss of energy
* deep regret
* loss of motivation
* lack of interest in friends and family
* excessive weight gain
* lack of motivation
Like any other mood disorder the causes can be complex and there may be more than one method for resolving the problem.
Studies have shown where you live may be a contributing factor to this disorder. It has been found that people living in extreme climates near the poles are more likely to contract SAD than people living in other parts of the world. The long winters with very few daylight hours may be to blame for this mood disorder. Often SAD light therapy is used to help people with SAD and has proven to be quite effective in alleviating the symptoms.
SAD QUIZ
Do you have SAD? If you are curious of you suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), ask yourself a few questions:
1. Are your feelings about the weather actively inhibiting your life?
2. Are you so unhappy that you're unable to perform basic tasks?
3. Are you sleeping significantly more hours per night, and do you still have trouble waking in the morning?
4. Has your spouse or your boss complained about your change in behavior?
4. Has your spouse or your boss complained about your change in behavior?
5. Do you feel seriously depressed only in fall and winter (as opposed to simply grumpy or out of sorts)?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, it's possible what you're experiencing is SAD. The encouraging news is that there are cures for SAD. In fact there are multiple ways to alleviate SAD and bring energy and light back into your life.
LIGHT THERAPY FOR TREATING SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)
You will find that psychotherapy, drugs and SAD therapy lights are the three most common treatments for SAD. As it turns out SAD light therapy is one of the most effective and least expensive treatments found for SAD thus far. Non invasive, no side effects and easy to self administer SAD lamps are some of the benefits. For some simply sitting beside one of these special light boxes for a few minutes a day is enough to alleviate SAD symptoms. Look for web sites that discuss light therapy usage online with guides and ideas for SAD light usage, treatment schedule and SAD light shopping tips. - 30309
SAD SYMPTOMS
Seasonal Affective Disorder is characterized by several symptoms. Some of the more common symptoms include a significant lack in energy, feeling lethargic or constantly needing sleep. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is also characterized by an increase in appetite, followed by weight gain.
Other symptoms are more psychological. Intense anxiety, withdrawal from friends and family, difficulty focusing and concentrating on tasks are common to seasonal affective disorder sufferers. Women may experience increased PMS symptoms. In fact women are most susceptable to SAD as 70% to 80% of SAD victims are women.
Some typical SAD symptoms include:
* mood problems only occur during the fall and winter; disappears in spring and summer
* chronic sadness
* excessive sleep
* loss of energy
* deep regret
* loss of motivation
* lack of interest in friends and family
* excessive weight gain
* lack of motivation
Like any other mood disorder the causes can be complex and there may be more than one method for resolving the problem.
Studies have shown where you live may be a contributing factor to this disorder. It has been found that people living in extreme climates near the poles are more likely to contract SAD than people living in other parts of the world. The long winters with very few daylight hours may be to blame for this mood disorder. Often SAD light therapy is used to help people with SAD and has proven to be quite effective in alleviating the symptoms.
SAD QUIZ
Do you have SAD? If you are curious of you suffer from SAD (seasonal affective disorder), ask yourself a few questions:
1. Are your feelings about the weather actively inhibiting your life?
2. Are you so unhappy that you're unable to perform basic tasks?
3. Are you sleeping significantly more hours per night, and do you still have trouble waking in the morning?
4. Has your spouse or your boss complained about your change in behavior?
4. Has your spouse or your boss complained about your change in behavior?
5. Do you feel seriously depressed only in fall and winter (as opposed to simply grumpy or out of sorts)?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, it's possible what you're experiencing is SAD. The encouraging news is that there are cures for SAD. In fact there are multiple ways to alleviate SAD and bring energy and light back into your life.
LIGHT THERAPY FOR TREATING SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)
You will find that psychotherapy, drugs and SAD therapy lights are the three most common treatments for SAD. As it turns out SAD light therapy is one of the most effective and least expensive treatments found for SAD thus far. Non invasive, no side effects and easy to self administer SAD lamps are some of the benefits. For some simply sitting beside one of these special light boxes for a few minutes a day is enough to alleviate SAD symptoms. Look for web sites that discuss light therapy usage online with guides and ideas for SAD light usage, treatment schedule and SAD light shopping tips. - 30309
About the Author:
Nancy Whitman,author of "Beating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) With Light Therapy at www.SadTherapyBook.com shows how SAD light therapy works for treating SAD. Pick up a FREE copy of the book (worth $35) when you buy SAD lights at www.SadTherapyLamps.com
