Eliminating Seasonal Affective Disorder

With every winter comes fewer hours in the day, less sunshine and a certain amount of winter depression. Various people are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder, known appropriately enough as SAD, and symptoms include short temper, listlessness and a general feeling of malaise when the nights get very long. In this state, lots of people seem to have some type of constant low-grade illness and plenty of emotional and physical discomfort. If you are strongly affected by SAD, or you suspect you might be, there are quite a few things that you should know!

SAD can be a large problem that you face every year, but this doesn't need to be inevitable. Back in 1984, a psychiatrist authored a paper dealing with the effects of intense light therapy on people who are afflicted with SAD. Subsequent examination has verified the fact that the the use of lights on men and women who suffer from this disorder have definite improvement in their lives. This treatment has even has an effect on people who are experiencing anxiety and depression.

One of the theories behind the usefulness of light therapy is that people who suffer from severe SAD and seasonally related depression are more light sensitive than most. Most people might be able to get enough exposure to light through indoor lighting, but this lighting might actually be too weak to register for people who have problems with SAD. Similarly, a lack of light can mean that the brain processes that stimulate seratonin and dopamine production are depressed, something which can certainly affect mood.

Another theory behind light's effect is that it can help with a patient's circadian rhythms. Treatment with bright light therapy can help a person's endocrine system figure out when they ought to be awake. Are you familiar with how hung over you frequently feel when you weren't allowed enough sleep? Some psychiatrists believe that SAD is partially related to your body feeling as if it does not get sufficient sleep and therefore, you feel ill at ease. The use of brilliant light can help encourage your body to wake up and become more alert in general.

If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, you need to realize that there are ways to eliminate it. Take a look at your condition and imagine how light therapy will give you the help you need to survive the winter and even enjoy it!

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Hail, holy light! offspring of heaven first-born. John Milton