Its SAD Time Again

How to Spot Seasonal Affective Disorder—The Wintertime Blues
December 2009
There are classic signs like weight gain, sleepiness and social withdrawal. Then there are the more subtle symptoms, such as anxiety, diminished sex drive and difficulty concentrating. Seasonal Affective Disorder, like other forms of depression, is a mixed bag of mental and emotional challenges.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is similar to many other natural life patterns because of its cyclical nature. Like the circadian rhythms that regulate sleep each night, SAD symptoms most often make their appearance as the hours of daylight slowly diminish heading into the dark winter months. However, there is also a form of SAD that occurs during the summer months (two forms also known as “winter depression” and “summer depression”).

With the daylight savings switch already made, that time of year is upon us. As the days grow shorter and shorter, now is the time to monitor any changes in your mood, daily routine and overall emotional well-being. Occasional symptoms of minor depression can pop up throughout the year. But when you have a combination of symptoms that linger for weeks, it’s time to consider speaking with a doctor or healthcare professional about your symptoms.

Symptoms Associated with winter Seasonal Affective Disorder:
•Depression
•Hopelessness
•Anxiety
•Loss of energy
•Social withdrawal
•Oversleeping
•Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
•Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
•Weight gain
•Difficulty concentrating and processing information
Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder has a few different symptoms, including anxiety, trouble sleeping (insomnia), irritability, agitation, weight loss, poor appetite, and increased sex drive.

According to Mayo Clinic, it's normal to have bad days, days where you just feel down in the dumps. “But if you feel down for days at a time and you can't seem to get motivated to do activities you normally enjoy, see your doctor,” states the Mayo Clinic website. “This is particularly important if you notice that your sleep patterns and appetite have changed or if you feel hopeless, think about suicide, or find yourself turning to alcohol [or drugs] for comfort or relaxation.”

What Causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Unfortunately, the specific cause of seasonal affective disorder is still not known. However, researchers and scientists continue to examine potential links between SAD and common indicators like age, genetics, and family history. A person’s natural chemical makeup might also play a role in developing the condition.

Like most mental health disorders, seasonal affective disorder affects women more than men. While women are statistically more likely to suffer from SAD, studies show men experience more severe symptoms. Further, similar to vitamin D deficiency, SAD appears to be more common for people who live farther from the equator. This may be due to decreased sunlight during the shorter winter days. The following list is taken directly from the Mayo Clinic website.

A few specific factors that may come into play include:

•Your biological clock (circadian rhythm). The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may disrupt your body's internal clock, which lets you know when you should sleep or be awake. This disruption of your circadian rhythm may lead to feelings of depression.
•Melatonin levels. The change in season can disrupt the balance of the natural hormone melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood. Talk to your doctor to see whether taking melatonin supplements is a good option.
•Serotonin levels. A drop in serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that affects mood, might play a role in seasonal affective disorder. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin, perhaps leading to depression.
Source: www.mayoclinic.com
I was hoping it would not happen this year. I am curious about the increase in sex drive. Perhaps like carbohydrate cravings it is a hard-wired(pun intended) attempt to release endorphins. Either way I am getting cabin fever and need excercise. By now.