Seasonal Depression

Could You Have It?
If So, How Can You Beat It?

You may be suffering with Seasonal Depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) if you seem to get depressed during the colder, winter months and then feel better during the warmer months. This is a depression that affects over 500,000 people during any given year.

It is a diagnosed mood disorder and research indicates that the variations and limitations of light during the winter months causes the onset. Research indicates that this may cause a chemical imbalance in the brain, effecting the neurotransmitters. As a result, SAD can be treated with light therapy (phototherapy), depression medications and professional therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

The symptoms are similar to that of dysthymia and clinical depression so it is sometimes misdiagnosed. It is important to get a solid diagnosis because it can be very serious. In fact, up to 35% of people who suffer from SAD wind up in the hospital and suicide is always a risk.

So What Are the Symptoms?