Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

January 2007 Online Feature

With the shorter days of fall and winger, many individuals experience a drop in energy and mood.  For those in colder climates, both the lack of daylight and the inclement weather cause many of us to "nest" a bit more than usual and quite literally, "never see the light of day!"  It all becomes a bit of a vicious cycle for those who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). 

Exposure to daylight, it appears, plays a critical role in sustaining emotional balance.  SAD is a condition that can affect individuals that have had no prior diagnosis, as well as those who do have a diagnosis of a mood disorder.

For those that already have a diagnosis of major depression or those diagnosed with bipolar disorder that are in a depressed cycle, the environmental factors that can lead to SAD can also be triggers for a depressed episode.

There are a variety of treatments for SAD, with light therapy as one primary treatment.  It is critical to review all treatment options with your doctor.  There is always a danger in self-diagnosis and self-treatment.  For instance, even though light therapy seems to be rather harmless treatment, some studies indicate that it could have a negative impact on individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder. 

In addition to working with your doctor to ensure the correct diagnosis and treatment, simply monitoring your mood and preparing a proactive plan can be helpful.  We encourage you to review the listed websites* for additional information on what SAD is, its causes and potential treatments.

Additional DBSA Resources

Read how DBSA President Sue Bergeson deals with seasonal cycles in her new blog 'Fearing Fall and Winter: Is it all your head?'.

Helpful Web References

• FamilyDoctor.org - What is seasonal affective disorder?
• Mayo Clinic - Signs and Symptoms of SAD.
• Wikipedia - General overview with links and information.

Have Your Say!

In respect of Black History Month, February's Feature will focus on
Mood Disorders in the African American Community.

*DBSA is not responsible for the content of external and third-party websites.  The listing of these sites in no way represent, implied or otherwise, an endorsement of the site, its contents or the recommendations or claims made on these sites.