Are You SAD? Seasonal Affective Disorder Affects Millions Each Winter

Do you find yourself having to hit the snooze alarm several extra times during the fall and winter months to pull yourself out of bed to get to work on time?

Do you find yourself wanting to spend quality time with your cat inside your apartment, rather than join your friends in a barhopping escapade?

Are things beginning to pile up because you don't seem to have the motivation to do anything?

You are not alone. The condition seasonal affective disorder, better known by its' appropriate acronym, SAD, affects 11 million people across the country, says the National Institute for Mental Health. SAD is a form of depression that recurs with a fall-winter onset and a spring-summer remission. The cause of SAD is unknown, but doctors believe it to be related to the body's temperature and hormone regulation. The seasonal affective disorder occurs more frequently in women than in men.

If you are suffering any of the following symptoms, you may have developed a case of SAD:

--Depression coinciding with fall or winter onset
--Lack of energy
--Decreased interest in work or significant activities
--Increased appetite and weight gain (although this one could really be the byproduct of excess holiday parties!)
--Carbohydrate craving
--Increased sleep or excessive daytime sleepiness
--Social withdrawal
--Afternoon slumps with decreased energy and concentration
--Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement

Unlike major depression, SAD occurs seasonally, usually beginning in September or October and lasting through March or April. According to WebMD, someone who has suffered these symptoms for two consecutive winters, but does not have symptoms of depression during the spring and summer months, probably has SAD. If you believe to be suffering from the seasonal affective disorder, a psychological evaluation from a healthcare professional will be able to rule out any other causes for the symptoms, and will be able to confirm a SAD diagnosis. The test is called the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), and assess whether you may have SAD by asking you questions regarding changes in your sleep patterns, social activity, mood, weight, appetite, and energy levels.

According to Yahoo!, however, most people with the "winter blahs" or cabin fever do not actually have SAD because being diagnosed with the actual disorder is rare. But we're not about to let the winter blues get you down. There are some remedies to fight this.

Light Boxes

Light boxes, devices that provide bright artificial light, are frequently prescribed by doctors for people with SAD. These lights are about 10-20 times brighter than an average indoor light. Patients will spend anywhere from half an hour to two or three hours daily soaking in the artificial rays. Patients can do other activities while under the light, such as read (the Weekender), watch TV, do work and carry on conversations. According to a WebMD article, researchers in Canada, where by the way every university hospital has a SAD clinic, light therapy is effective in 60 to 90 percent of cases.

Exercise- outside

While some may think that it is too cold to go for a morning walk or jog in the winter months, doctors say thirty minutes of exercise outside could fix a mild case of SAD. So, lace up those Nikes and hit the sidewalk for an early morning jaunt. Being in the fresh air and in natural sunlight can be a great cure. Not an early rise? Go for a walk on your lunch break at work with some co-workers, or volunteer to walk a neighbor's dog when you get home from work.
Tanning

Not only does tanning provide artificial light, but for fairer skinned SAD sufferers may feel unhealthy or sick during the winter months since they are pale. Tanning will improve self image, this making the SAD patient feel better about themselves. Feeling healthier will result in not feeling as depressed. For starters, you could purchase a tanning package that will get you through the winter months. For a quicker fix, try out a spray-on tan salon, which offers mist-on cosmetic tanning that works in an instant. This method of tanning is risk-free, and perfect for those who have cancer or are being treated with chemotherapy or just do not want the side effects UV rays can cause.

Anti-Depressant Medication

Pills always seem to be the answer for any mood disorder. Mild cases of SAD can be taken care of using the above feel-good remedies, but if they are unsuccessful, or the case of SAD is severe, sufferers may want to discuss the medication option with their doctor.

According to WebMD, this remedy can be used to help people in which the light therapy is ineffective, or can also be used in conjunction with it. The medical website states that the most common antidepressants used in SAD treatment are the serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, Prozac and Zoloft. Once treatment is started, the antidepressants can work right away, or could take up to 6-8 weeks to become effective. Usually, a prescription will start with a lower dose and gradually increase over treatment. SSRI's have fewer side effects than other types of antidepressants, but can still leave patients with nausea, anxiety or even lack of sleep...which kind of defeats the purpose of helping a SAD sufferer feel better. But nonetheless, side effects do not affect everyone.

Maybe you just have a case of the winter blues; maybe it is a little more serious. But either way, the above listed suggestions are sure to bright a little more light into this dark and dreary winter season.