SAD

With the winter months quickly approaching, I thought it was important to blog about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): a type of winter depression that affects approximately half a million people every winter. Living in Winnipeg, we are accustomed to extremely cold weather for long periods of time.

SAD is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. For many people SAD is a seriously disabling illness, preventing them from functioning normally without continuous medical treatment. 

 There are many people suffering from this disorder, without even knowing it. So it's important to know and recognize the symptoms of SAD, such as:

• Depression

  • Low mood, worse than and different from normal sadness
  • Negative thoughts and feelings
  • Guilt and loss of self-esteem
  • Sometimes hopelessness and despair
  • Sometimes apathy and inability to feel

  Sleep Problems

  • The need to sleep more
  • A tendency to oversleep
  • Difficulty staying awake during the day and/or disturbed sleep with
    very early morning wakening

  Lethargy

  • Fatigue, often incapacitating, making it very difficult or impossible to carry out normal routines

  Over Eating

  • Craving for carbohydrates and sweet foods leading to an increase in weight

  Cognitive Function

  • Difficulty with concentration and memory
  • The brain does not work as well, or as quickly

  Social Problems

  • Irritability
  • Finding it harder to be with people

  Anxiety

  • Tension
  • Stress is harder to deal with

  Loss of Libido

  • Less interest in sex and physical contact

  Sudden Mood Changes in Spring

  • Sharp change in mood
  • Some experience agitation and restlessness and/or a short period of
    hypomania (over activity)
  • No dramatic mood change but a gradual loss of winter symptoms
  
  
  There are many treatments for this disorder. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms make sure to talk to your doctor.