Essay Question: A review of different theoretical explanations on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Introduction: This review will demonstrate a critical awareness of research-based literature in the field of Clinical Psychology and review theoretical explanations on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD can be referred to in many different ways. The most famous include “winter depression”, “winter blues” or “seasonal depression” (Rosenthal, 1998; Marshall and Cheevers, 2006). However, other names such as “Light hunger”, “Grey sky syndrome”, “Cabin fever” (Marshall and Cheevers, 2006) or “February Blahs” (Rosenthal, 1998) can also be associated with SAD. SAD is one of the major depressions that seems to happen during a certain time of the year especially when there are low levels of natural light (Lurie, 2007; Marshall and Cheevers, 2006). SAD is described as an exaggerated version of seasonal variations in mood, energy, appetite and sleep (Justice et al, 1986; Marshall et al 2006), and is found to be a common regular condition that affects a large part of the population. There are many theories and perspectives on SAD discussing its history, symptoms, causes and treatments. These approaches are from a biological/physiological, cognitive/behavioural or environmental viewpoint. History: For many centuries, doctors have recognised an association between illness and seasons. Since ancient times, people have known about the seasonal changes in mood and behaviour. The concept
Opposite effect of the spring when new life begins grow, and fresh color appears this makes her happier. Every year around the same time the symptoms will begin.
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
at the workplace, most of the people are not focus don’t really want to work because they would be thinking of how it would be good to sit outside with a bottle of fresh water. of heat on our brains are g=negative is because our cognitive abilities seem to improve up to a certain temperature and then as the temperature continues to rise quickly diminish. One of the effect in one of the internet article of “are we lazy in the summer? “By Maria Kournikova. the author has stated that “one of the key issues is motivation, when the weather is unpleasant no one wants to go outside, but when the sun I shinning, the air is arm is the sky is blue, so people tend to dream about what they wish they were doing in the summer, rather than concentrating on their work. During the summertime at school, students tend to have low grade more than in winter.
in a SAD patient this does not occur until about two hours later. In order to
Winter is more one sided with just punishment, lack of growth, and death. Along with all the seasons comes, geography. Fog and heat are most common in low places, along with swamps, fields, and crowds. Snow and ice, things complete opposite from fog and heat are found in high places. The high places can cause illnesses like death and blindness. Blindness is metaphorical, being unable to see reality, love, trust, and many other things. Another illness related to love or symbolizing love is heart disease. Heart disease shows loneliness, disloyalty, cowardice, and bad love or heartbroken.
Major depression is a commonly diagnosed psychological disorder affecting individuals’ ability to feel happiness and peace of mind. Those who suffer experience negative emotions, lack of motivation, changes in behaviour and dysfunctional cognitive symptoms. Depression is classified by the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as five of more of the listed symptoms present persistently over the same two weeks. One of these symptoms must be depressed mood or loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities. Depression causes disruption to typical daily life such as inability to maintain friendships and jobs. Other symptoms outlined by the DSM-5 include; insomnia, fatigue and recurrent thoughts of death. There is much debate over what exactly causes depression. Biological explanations question hereditary and neurotransmitter factors. While psychological theories include the cognitive ideas of Beck’s negative triad and hopelessness theory. This essay will focus on the ways in which psychological and biological explanations contrast and how their theories can overlap to better understand depression.
Seasonal depression occurs only at a certain time of the year, usually winter, because the number of daylight hours is lower. Another form of depression is psychotic depression, which is when depression and hallucinations are experienced at the same time. They all have different symptoms and should be approached differently to receive the correct treatment.
Depression is a real mental condition that affects many people around the world. It affects all ages, social backgrounds and genders. There are many signs and symptoms of depression. Common symptoms of depression are sleeping problems, great weight loss or gain, headaches, being tired regularly and being overwhelmed. A lowering mood is known to alter one’s sleeping patterns whether if they are waking too early or sleeping in, greatly impacting the way they would
There are forms of depression that are a little different and occur during different changes in a lifetime. Postpartum depression happens to some women after giving birth, because of the changes that occur to hormonal levels after giving birth and the stress of caring for a newborn. According to the Mayo Clinic it is considered normal for some women to feel angry, irritable and maybe on the verge of tears those feeling last a week or two. Postpartum last for a much longer time and can cause the women to not be able to care for their baby, thoughts of harming baby, and also harming herself. It happens to 10 to 25 percent of women. Seasonal affective disorder is when depression comes on because of the changes in the season it usually affect patients in the autumn and winter seasons. There are some different types of depression that runs in families, but just because a family doesn’t have a history of depression, doesn’t mean patient will not have the
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?
The light box is a highly designed fixture that exposes artificial light. Mayo Clinic (2015) has confirmed the light box is well designed, safe and effective; however, not approved or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. According to Peters (2015), “The light box generates a standard wavelength and amount of light. The light provided is toward the red end of the color spectrum.” In most cases, the intensity of the bright light has ranged from 2,500 lux to 10,000 lux depending of the size of the room. The purpose of the light box is to mimic natural outdoor light; which is assumed to affect the brain chemicals liked to a person’s mood and lessen their SAD symptoms by resetting their circadian rhythm. Therefore this current research is to investigate the relationship between light therapy and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in a clinical trial that included a randomized placebo group as well. Specifically, I hypothesized that the light therapy of 2,500 lux will lessen the symptoms of
Doctor Jon Lieberman describes his personal experience with depression and how overwhelming it can be. Not only does it affect his mood but also physiologically, his sleep patterns. Doctor Lieberman illustrates depression as “strong feelings of apathy and anxiety”.
People of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life have felt depressed and unhappy at some time in their lives. These periods of sadness usually pass after a short time, but for some people, this feeling can remain for weeks, months, and even years. (1) This prolonged state of unhappiness is called major (or clinical) depression and is characterized by a persistent sad or "empty" mood, loss of interest in favorite activities, difficulty concentrating, and many other symptoms. It is not simply a mental state but an illness that interferes with the way people feel, function, and think.(2)
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.
This is the most typical topic for those facing depression during the holidays. As everyone has unique mindset the points that trigger the onset of depression are different for everyone. We cannot club all these as common but a broad category can be made on the common grounds that must be avoided as much as possible during the holidays. These points will help you realize about the conditions that you may face while going on the holidays and keeping away from these to keep your mood pleasant.