Diagnosing and Dealing With SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, while not classified as a separate psychological disorder by the medical profession is a very real and debilitating condition for many



people. Striking hardest among those already battling some form of depression, SAD is a spiraling down into a deeper state of depression as the days become shorter and the



weather more severe each Fall and Winter.



Starting soon after the Fall Equinox when darkness fills ever more of the 24 period each day, and beginning to abate only as the days lengthen shortly before the Spring Equinox,



SAD sufferers readily testify to the reality of the disorder while the medical profession lags behind in recognizing the disorder or offering real solutions.



The long winter nights that occur in polar regions contribute to higher rates of Seasonal Affective Disorder while Equatorial regions, with their balance between daylight and



darkness have the lowest reported incidence of SAD.



Since Seasonal Affective disorder is directly related to the amount of light an individual receives, workers in windowless buildings, mothers of young children who are indoors



much of the day and the elderly are particularly susceptible to suffer from SAD. Just as there is a higher reported ratio of depression among women than men, the reported ratio



of women with Seasonal Affective Disorder is higher than men.



Symptoms include such things as unusual fatigue, anxiety,, loss of libido, increased appetite with carbohydrate cravings and the attendant weight gain, isolating from social



contacts, hopelessness and a general malaise. Extreme mood swings into a manic condition, tearfulness and anger may also be a presenting symptoms.

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Natural cures which include boosting ones health with light, natural foods in moderate amounts and certain herbal remedies during the Winter months is particularly important for



those with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Individuals on medications for depression must be cautioned not to double up on meds in an effort to alleviate their feelings of



increasing depression unless prescribed by their physician





Yielding to cravings for sugary or fat laden foods is counterproductive in treating SAD. The very foods craved during the dark winter months, pastries, chocolate and caffeine



are to be avoided. Simple carbohydrates and fats are the arch enemies of SAD sufferer. Sugars, heavy meals, fatty foods and nighttime snacks, the very foods and traditions of



winter all exacerbate the condition.





Herbal remedies include Hypericum Perforatum, commonly marketed as St Johns Wort and the amino acid L-tryptophan. St Johns wort has been used to treat depression for centuries



and L-tryptophan helps the body manufacture the neurotransmitter Seratonin which helps the body balance mood and sleep cycles.



Alternative therapies which include proper diet, herbal remedies and natural sunlight or full spectrum indoor lights, also known as light therapy, are effective treatments for



SAD. The recommended time of one hour outside in natural sunlight or four hours exposure to full spectrum indoor lights along with exercise or increased body movement provides



substantial relief from SAD symptoms.



The Mayo Clinic warns seasonal affective disorder sufferers not to dismiss the 'Winter blues' or try to 'tough it out." They warn that suicidal behavior and substance abuse



can be complications of untreated SAD.



Learn about home remedies and natural cures from around the world. Read



about which foods can be beneficial in healing common ailments, or have a go at some alternative therapies.