Name is so fitting, wondering which genius came with that
At some point, everyone of us suffers from this wouldn't you say?
Seasonal affective disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression which has a seasonal pattern. The most common form of SAD is also called 'winter depression' because symptoms are worst in the winter months. Symptoms tend to start from around September and are worse when the days are shortest (in December, January and February). By springtime, most people with SAD will improve and symptoms usually disappear. Seasonal affective disorder can sometimes affect people in the summer rather than the winter, but this is rare and has different symptoms.
Around 1 in 50 people in the UK have SAD. The condition affects twice as many women than men. You can develop SAD at any age, but it is most common in people aged 18-30. Like any type of depression, SAD can be a difficult condition to live with. Symptoms can leave you feeling tired, lethargic, stressed and unhappy. However, there are a number of treatments and medications available that have been proven to be very effective in treating SAD.
When the sun is out, many people tend to feel happier and more energetic. When it is dark and gloomy, many of us feel more lethargic and less sociable. The amount of sunlight we get can affect our mood, appetite, energy levels and sex drive. Up to 1 in 8 people in the UK experience these milder symptoms of winter 'blues' (sub-syndromal SAD). For people with SAD however, these feelings and symptoms are much more severe.
Studies around the world have shown that SAD becomes more common the further you are away from the equator. This suggests that SAD is linked to the change in the number of daylight hours through the year.
SymptomsThe symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) are cyclical. This means that symptoms tend to go away and then come back again at the same time each year. Symptoms usually begin in September, and will normally start to ease by early spring. However, every individual experiences SAD differently, and symptoms can vary from person to person.
At the start of the autumn, symptoms are usually relatively mild. As winter progresses and sunlight diminishes, symptoms tend to worsen.
SAD can be a difficult condition to live with, and symptoms can have a significant impact on the way you live your day-to-day life.
The symptoms of SAD include:
feeling tired and lacking in energy,
sleep problems, such as disturbed sleep at night, sleeping for longer and feeling sleepy during the day,
loss of sex drive,
stress and anxiety,
social withdrawal,
feelings of guilt and worthlessness,
weepiness,
changes in appetite, such as a craving for carbohydrates and sweet foods,
mood swings,
weight gain,
difficulty concentrating, and
loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy.
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