Seasonal Affective Disorder: A Clear Link Between the Outside and the Inside of the Brain

North Dakota is far from the equator, creating long cold winters. Besides making people cold, the decreasing temperatures also have a significant effect on mental illness. Seasonal affective disorder, also known as (SAD) is a psychological condition identified in the 1980s. Seasonal affective disorder effects 4-6 percent of people in the united states. (SAD) affects women 4 times as much as men.

When the dark days of winter approach, people are slowed down and have difficulty waking up in the morning They are tempted to snack on holiday foods and find that the pounds will creep up on them, even as they valiantly try to diet. People can often find it difficult to focus at work or in a relationships, feel down in the dumps, or maybe even depressed. If a person says yes to any one of these criteria, than they may be experiencing a disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D), or also known as the winter blues. A current study shows that the population that lives in the Northern America and European. In its very basic form, S.A.D effects 6% of all Americans suffer from this distress, Seasonality can also lead to distress, both in an individual's work and one's personal life. Over ten million Americans have suffered, or are suffering from S.A.D, and while the percentage may not seem like a large number, but it translates into over a million Americans. Though Some people may not be affected by S.A.D enough to seek medical attention, they still feel less cheerful, less energetic creative and productive during the dark winter days. The effects of the seasons on humans have been well known through the centuries to artists, poets, and songwriter. For example, Shakespeare observed that a, "sad tale's best for winter", while Keats wrote nightingale singing of summer "in full throated ease", and the singer of a modern day ballad calls his beloved the

There are generally nine recognized subsets of depression: Major depression results in extreme sadness, hopelessness, lack of energy, irritability, trouble concentrating, changes in sleep or eating habits, feelings of guilt, physical pain, and suicidal thoughts. Dysthymia depression is just an overall low-feeling mood over a long period of time. People can function with Dysthymia depression but it is difficult and in no way ideal. Some symptoms include sadness, trouble concentrating, fatigue, and changes in sleep habits, and appetite. Postpartum depression is characterized by feelings of extreme sadness, fatigue, loneliness, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, and feelings of disconnect from a child after a woman gives birth. This is usually found

Seasonal Affective Disorder is just like its abbreviation spells out…SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a very common type of depression. It is a depression that is related to changes in the seasons. Seasonal Affective Disorder is mostly associated with late fall and winter when it is cold outside and less with spring and early summer when it is hot outside. The definition makes you wonder what causes this type of disorder, does it not?

While ancient cultures gave homage to the moon and stars, they worshipped the sun as a god. With out the sun there could be no life on planet Earth. The sun has been continuously providing light and heat for approximately four and a half billion years now, whereas it is expected to still

Most wonder why they become so sad in some seasons. That is simple to understand there is a disorder called "Seasonal Affective Disorder". When the seasons change so does your mood. Winter comes and most sit, so some get a little depressed. Scientists say it is because usually they are stuck in their homes ad think. Most sit in their homes watching everything change, and watch things go by so slow. According to the article Seasonal Affective Disorder,

Wow! Talk about variety. In this piece of writing, information is essential. When we talk about the sun, it is the big yellow circle that comes out once a day and makes us sweat. Here in this detailed literature written by Steven Szokolay is compelling. The particulars written by Szokolay are captivating, such as his analysis about the Sun and time, something as essential as time is captivating when a reader is trying to connect the dots. Time is simple; it comes and goes, but always forward. The concept is grasped by the reader to enhance their engagement. Szokolay is going through the motions; he is explaining the world that revolves around the Sun, and not just the planets we have come to know. Math for example plays a huge role in everyday

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is a psychological disorder caused by the change of season. SAD affects most people in the fall and winter months, although this is not always the case. There are two types of SAD, winter and summer SAD. It is believed, the lack of sunlight in the winter months, to be the cause of winter SAD. According to the author Flaskerud (2012), “Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) occurs in the summer, remits in the fall and winter, and seems to be related to summertime’s intense heat, bright light and long days.” SAD is recurring, coming back annually as the seasons change, causing the individual to fall into a depressive

Current Symptoms: feelings of hopelessness, trouble expressing compassion and empathy, difficulty managing feelings of sadness, diminished appetite, and manipulation

Still, a lot of people find themselves at a loss for motivation when you don’t want to get out from beneath the covers because your feet hate the feel of cold hard wood floors. Seasonal Affective Disorder suffers find it more difficult than most to handle the earlier nights, dimmer days and rainy evenings.

Seasonal depression, often called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a depression that occurs each year at the same time, usually starting in fall, worsening in winter, and ending in spring. It is more than just "the winter blues" or "cabin fever." A rare form of SAD, known as "summer depression," begins in late spring or early summer and ends in fall.

1987). It is possible that such strategies may affect the disturbed rhythms in AD patients

When looking at seasonal affective disorder, the environment where someone lives greatly affects their depressive symptoms. As stated earlier, distance from the equator has proven to add to the significance of people with depression in the winter months. A study was conducted to see the difference in the rate of depression searches using the internet based on global location. The study compared the United States with Australia, given that the U.S. lies in the northern hemisphere, and Australia in the southern hemisphere. The two countries have greatly different climates, with Australia remaining warm and sunny through most of the year. The results took into account the

Although many studies have focused on individual factors relating to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this study sought to extend such research by determining whether cognitive, behavioral and psychophysiological factors that associate to individuals with nonseasonal depression would correlate to those of SAD (Rohan, Sigmon & Dorhofer, 2003).

I never experienced the sun so pure. The sun so vibrant, and delightful to be underneath. I have also never taken much appreciation for the sun either, nor did I ever really take the time to be mesmerized by it. I should perhaps not say ever, for I remember when I was around the age of seven and ten, I would gaze at the sun and thought to myself, “if I stare long enough, something miraculous might take place.” But it never did. Or maybe I didn’t glaze long enough.