Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) by Gail Erlandson, M.
A.
Does your mood change with the seasons? Does the gloomy
fog of Sacramento coincide with gloomy thoughts and low energy?
There are two types of Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.
A.
D.
) to
be...
More
Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) by Gail Erlandson, M.
A.
Does your mood change with the seasons? Does the gloomy
fog of Sacramento coincide with gloomy thoughts and low energy?
There are two types of Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.
A.
D.
) to
be aware of: fall/winter onset S.
A.
D.
and spring/summer onset
S.
A.
D.
The fall/winter type, sometimes known as “winter depression,” is the most common.
The reduced level of sunlight in the winter can disrupt our body’s
internal clock.
Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin
that may cause depression.
The loss of light can also disrupt the
balance of the natural hormone melatonin, which aids with sleep
and stability of mood.
Winter-onset seasonal affective disorder symptoms may include:
feelings of hopelessness, social withdrawal, weight gain, oversleeping, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and sometimes the
craving of foods high in carbohydrates.
It is normal to have some days when we feel the winter blues,
but if we
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