What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal affection disorder (SAD) is defined as a subtype of depression, where an individual experiences chronic major depression that follows a seasonal pattern. SAD most often occurs during the winter months. The exact cause of SAD is unknown but is thought to probably manifest from hormone and neurotransmitter dysfunction affecting the nervous and psychic-emotional systems of the human body (Piotrowski, 2022).
Theories of What Causes SAD
Research points towards the winter form of SAD, involving the hormone melatonin, which is a substance secreted by the brain’s pineal gland. Melatonin affects mood and energy levels as well as helps to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Studies reflect too much, or prolonger secretion of melatonin may promote SAD (Ettinger, 2018).
Melatonin as well as serotonin systems are influenced by the earth’s daily dark-light cycle also known as photoperiodism. SAD can thereby be related to seasonal disturbances in the earth’s dark-light cycle and its relative effect on individuals (Ettinger, 2018).
Key Symptoms of SAD
Who Suffers From SAD?
Treatment Options
Phototherapy or light therapy is the dominant treatment for those affected by this disorder. Exposure to light can be difficult for some people as each may have unique circumstances in relation to their environment, schedules and careers which may help to limit access to light (Piotrowski, 2022).
Phototherapy involves sitting in front of a specific type of therapeutic light source for anywhere from thirty to ninety minutes. This treatment is usually done in the morning each day. Serotoninergic antidepressant medication is sometimes used along with phototherapy (Piotrowski, 2022).
Cognitive behavioral therapy is another type of treatment where thought patterns are modified to manage SAD. There are also light visors having a light source built into the brim that can help those with this disorder (Piotrowski, 2022).
References:
Biard,G. (2008), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10095047
Ettinger, R. H. (2018). Psychology: The Science of Behavior (6th ed.). BVT Publishing.
Francis, G. (2019), http://www.PacificProDigital.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81371623
Piotrowski, N. A. . P. D., & Prerost, F. J. . P. D. (2022). Seasonal affective disorder. Magill’s Medical Guide (Online Edition).
Seasonal affective disorder: MedlinePlus Genetics. (n.d.). https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/seasonal-affective-disorder/
I teach and offer lectures about holistic health, physical fitness, stress management, human behavior, meditation, phytotherapy (herbs), music for healing, self-massage (acupressure), Daoyin (yoga), qigong, tai chi, and baguazhang.
Please contact me if you, your business, organization, or group, might be interested in hosting me to speak on a wide spectrum of topics relative to better health, fitness, and well-being.
I look forward to further sharing more of my message by partnering with hospitals, wellness centers, VA centers, schools on all levels, businesses, and individuals who see the value in building a stronger nation through building a healthier population.
I also have hundreds of FREE education video classes, lectures, and seminars available on my YouTube channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/MindandBodyExercises
Many of my publications can be found on Amazon at:
http://www.Amazon.com/author/jimmoltzan
My holistic health blog is available at:
https://mindandbodyexercises.wordpress.com/
http://www.MindAndBodyExercises.com
Mind and Body Exercises on Google: https://posts.gle/aD47Qo
Jim Moltzan
407-234-0119