Alternative Natural Remedies for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is a disorder in which depression is triggered by the changing of seasons. Typically a disorder that returns annually, those who suffer from SAD experience a cycle between normal emotions and depressed emotions during seasonal changes throughout the year.

While Seasonal Affective Disorder is most commonly associated with winter depression, it is also associated with summer depression in some people. As medical professionals continue to debate over the root cause of the disorder, there is no question that SAD has some relation to the changes in temperature and sunlight during the transition from one season to the next.

Many people may feel irritated, sluggish or scattered during the changes from one season to another. However, those who suffer from SAD experience a range of depression symptoms such as exhaustion, overwhelming stress, anxiety and loss of interest that can become debilitating.

What natural treatments are available?

Fortunately, alternative medicine for Seasonal Affective Disorder is not only readily available but is also quite common for those with mild to moderate symptoms. Because SAD is tied so tightly to the changes in the seasons, both traditional practice and alternative medicine doctors see the value in lessoning the impact of symptoms by reducing the abrupt cycle that triggers the disorder. Some of the common treatments to ask your doctor about are:

• Light Therapy
Completely void of any chemical medication, light therapy consists of a person spending an increased amount of time outdoors during peak daylight hours, or by sitting near a light box with special bulbs that mimic the sun's rays. Your body automatically reacts to the light rays, causing a chemical reaction in your brain which lifts your mood naturally.

• Counseling and Psychotherapy
Even though SAD seems to be a re-occurring seasonal disorder, spending time talking to a counselor or psychologist can help you to work on managing symptoms from the inside-out. As with any form of depression, sufferers may be able to unlock their personal internal triggers and thought processes that contribute to and relieve the pressure of depression. Once you find a counselor or psychologist that you can easily talk to, make a pledge to visit them for an entire 12 month cycle. They may be able to help you identify when your symptoms begin, if there are any other triggers for your depression beyond the changing seasons, and personality traits that help or hinder your ability to cope with symptoms.

• Exercise
During the months that you are feeling well, begin a regular exercise program. Choose specific days and times each week to exercise and work at it until your body is used to the pattern. Since humans are typically creatures of habit, your body will crave movement at the same time and day even as the seasons change. As you continue to exercise throughout your depression, the endorphins your body releases may help to calm anxiety and relieve stress symptoms.

• Eat fresh foods
As with exercise and sunlight, your body will react naturally when you introduce fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. As vitamins and minerals are absorbed into the blood stream, your body will undergo an internal chemical reaction that will help you to feel energized and uplifted.

• Consider a move
Although it may seem extreme initially, if you have severe or worsening symptoms each year it may help for you to move to a climate that is more in tune with your emotional needs. For some, moving to a warmer or cooler climate helps to take the shock out of their system as the changes in seasons are less noticeable.

Whether you want to try natural remedies for Seasonal Affective Disorder, or you feel that you want to explore more traditional medication, it is important that you talk to your doctor about your symptoms. As with any form of depression, tell your doctor if you have any thoughts or impulses to do harm to yourself or someone else as this is a sign that the depression may need more rigorous treatment.

If you would like to learn more about Seasonal Affective Disorder, click the links below:

www.mayoclinic.com

http://familydoctor.org

www.nami.org

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