Seasonal Affective Disorder Analysis

I have diagnosed myself with seasonal depression, which I can assure you is a very real disease. The technical name for this disorder is Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, which is defined as a mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year. Causes may be genetic, as I am sure that my dad also has seasonal depression. So many winters of my life have been spent shivering while walking around school, playing in the snow until I thought my hands would fall off, and fearing going back outside to feel the gust of cold wind take over my body. The condition gets worse during daylight savings when the sun sets at 5pm, and the cold night takes over. Thus, when applying to colleges, the coldest school I applied to was in Washington D.C. I refused to

in a SAD patient this does not occur until about two hours later. In order to

However, these winter blues can change their daily lives for the worse. The medical field calls this Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short. According to the Mayo Clinic Staff, SAD usually begins and ends the same time every year. Most commonly, it is during the late Fall and Winter months, but can also be seen in Spring and Summer. While almost anyone could be affected by this, it is most common in women, those who lose significant sunlight during winter, and those aged 15-55 (¨Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)- Topic¨). Seasonal Depression has a magnitude of symptoms and they can change due to which season is causing the problem. Overall, there has been reported problems of insomnia, low energy, irritability, and appetite changes (¨Seasonal Affective Disorder

The pathophysiology of depression is multifaceted and difficult to pinpoint. Depression can arise from a multitude of precipitating factors, both external and internal to the patient. There are varying theories about the cause of depression, each of which “are based on studies investigating psychosocial stress and stress hormones, neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), neurocircuitry, neurotrophic factors, and circadian rhythms” (Hasler, 2010). Due to the vast immensity of theories available, Woo, & Robinson (2016) recommends that treatment for depression should be tailored to each patient and their disease state individually. In Mary Smith’s case her depression appears

This paper is intended to be a critical view of Seasonal Affective Disorder. In order to understand fully the biological and psychological components of the disease, as well as its possible causes and treatments, it is necessary to compile and interpret previously conducted research. Such is the purpose of this paper. First, the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder will be explained and illustrated using data and case studies. Second, the possible causes of the disease will be outlined. Third, proposed treatments will be presented as possible solutions to this debilitating disease.

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 really have only been studies conducted on people with possible SAD since 1984 when a man named Norman E. Rosenthal actually defined the psychological disorder (Lam). Since Rosenthal defined SAD as a syndrome characterized by recurrent depressions that occur annually at the same time each year characterized by hypersomnia, overeating, and carbohydrate craving (Newsome), there have been several studies conducted and published on people with possible SAD. Many of the studies that have been published for the general public focus mainly on the different forms of treatment for SAD, such as light therapy and different forms of Phototherapy, rather than focusing on the cause. Discovering the main causes of SAD would help to clearly identify who is actually in need of treatment related to light therapy compared to anti depressants. In my situation I had symptoms that were both characteristic of what identified SAD patients and patients suffering from mild forms of depression. When symptoms of one disorder are so closely related to symptoms of

Anxiety and Depression is a common experience for those who are or have suffered from difficult situations and events. During this time period, people will typically feel very sad and low as they are surrounded by a negative environment and thoughts. There is a handful of different types of depression, which include major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, adjustment disorder, and seasonal affective disorder. Those who are diagnosed with depression persist manifestations of low mood which “are much more severe” and “they tend to persist”(Depression). The main type of depression which is known as major depressive disorder, is where there is an “overwhelming feeling of sadness” within most activities”(Depression).

in this population. They note that disruptions in the diurnal pattern noted by Lucey and

Major depression covers a few different sub-types of disorders. This article presents basic information regarding a particular form of major depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This type of depression coincides with the changing of seasons, or more specifically, the diminished availability of sunlight during some seasons. Since lack of sunlight exposure seems to play an important part in the manifestation of SAD, it was necessary to explore the importance of sunlight in regards to the disorder. After researching the role of sunlight in individuals with SAD, the next step was to find out how the disorder could be managed. All of this information was

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

Due to the reduced daylight time frame within the fall and winter months along with the reduced sunshine light throughout the day, the light has potential to affect the optimal mood in a person’s behavior pattern (Partonen & Lonnqvist, 2002). Although researchers have concluded to various theories explaining the relationship between SAD and light, yet the majority have agreed that there is a significant relationship between sunshine light and the circadian cycle. Considering the rhythmic biological cycle as a main factor in SAD, one study states the amount of the hormone melatonin produced in one’s brain is probably the best index of circadian timing (Arendt, 2012). In addition, there has been additional evidence of phase delay in the timing of circadian rhythms in SAD patients as well (Partonen & Lonnqvist, 2002). According to Moscovici (2006), it is assumed “that the decrease in daylight exposure affects circadian rhythms via the retinal-hypothalamic pathways and the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the endogenous body clock, and the melatonin secretion through the pineal gland, subsequently affecting serotonin metabolism in such a way that it causes the kind of mood alterations seen in SAD.” Therefore, researchers in the clinical community began implementing light therapy to treat their SAD

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) takes place during the winter weather, this is due to the lessening of the sunlight during those months. The symptoms include lack of energy, eating more than you would usually, sleeping more and gaining weight. People are diagnosed after they have had these symptoms present during the winter for more than 2 years. This type of disorder can be treated with artificial light treatment. During light therapy, you sit or work near a device called a light therapy box. The box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light.

Women experience depression at twice the rate of men. Gender differences emerge first at puberty and occur mainly in the common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety among others. These disorders, in which women predominate, affect approximately 1 in 3 people. The frequency of major depression in adults is estimated to be 7 to 12 percent in men and 20 to 25 percent in women in a community and this constitutes a serious public health problem (NIMH, 2006). Several and variable factors in women contribute to depression, such as genetic, hormonal, developmental, reproductive, and other biological differences like premenstrual syndrome, childbirth, infertility and menopause. Factors associated to social issues may lead to depression

Retrospective study conducted on women with bipolar disorder showed that women experienced intense mood symptoms during menopausal transition (Ellen, 1996). A study by Dalal and Agwaral (2015) found that 20% women who had never experienced depression during their life become depressed at one point during menopause. Whereas it is difficult to isolate the effect of age on the occurrence of depression among menopaused women, many studies on mood during menopause reveal increased incidence of depression during peri-menopause and it eventually decreases in later postmenopausal years (Dalal & Agwarl, 2015). A study conducted by Harvard Study of Moods and Cycles selected premenopausal women aged between 36 and 44 years without a history