Types of Depression
II
Depression in Women
II Depression in Men
II
Childhood Depression
II
Adolescent Depression
II
Depression in the Elderly
II
Clinical Depression
II
Major Depression
II
Dysthymia II
Atypical Depression
II
Bipolar Depression
II
Cyclothymia II
Seasonal Affective Disorder
II
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
II
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
(PMDD)
II
Holiday Depression II
Workplace Depression.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) /
Winter Depression.
Seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as winter
depression, is a cyclical depression that occurs in the fall and
winter months but improves in the spring and summer. Seasonal
Affective Disorder is common in areas of the country that have
cold, cloudy winters with short daylight hours and little
sunshine.
SAD affects 10 to 25 million people in the United States every
winter. Between 60 and 90 percent of those affected by Seasonal
Affective Disorder are women, with winter depression occurring
more often in people in their 20s.
Children are not immune to winter depression. A study published
in the Journal of America Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry in 1998 suggested that at least 3 percent of school
children in the United States may be affected by seasonal
affective disorder.
Although most people suffering from SAD experience a full
remission in the spring and summer months, winter depression is
extremely unpleasant while in the midst of it. Some health care
providers use traditional depression therapies like antidepressant
drugs for the treatment of seasonal affective disorder. However,
there are simple, safe and inexpensive steps to combating winter
depression.
Deprex effectively raises serotonin levels for people suffering
from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Deprex is also safe to use in
children, who are not immune to suffering from Seasonal Affective
Disorder.
Common SAD symptoms include:
_ Feeling of fatigue or inability to function with the normal
daily routine.
_ Difficulty concentrating.
_ Irritability, tension and inability to tolerate stress.
_ Sugar and carbohydrate cravings.
_ Resulting weight gain.
Seasonal affective disorder is thought to be caused by lower
serotonin levels. Serotonin levels are low in people with
depression, but they can also be low in healthy people during the
winter months.
An increase in melatonin levels in the brain is also associated
with winter depression. Melatonin is a sleep-related brain hormone
which is produced at increased levels in the dark. One theory
surrounding Seasonal Affective Disorder is that people who
experience this winter depression seem to mimic the behavior of
increased sleep and decreased activity in hibernating animals.
There are a number of natural and healthy techniques to help
combat seasonal affective disorder. As mentioned earlier, Deprex
is an effective natural antidepressant treatment that effectively
raises serotonin levels for people suffering from Seasonal
Affective Disorder. Deprex is safe for use in children and adults.
Natural lighting is critical to good health and alleviating
seasonal affective disorder and winter depression. At least one
hour of natural, unfiltered lighting per day is optimal, though
not always possible in colder weather climates. When at all
possible, spend time outside during the winter months.
Adjusting sleep time to follow the natural rise and setting of
the sun optimizes the amount of daylight exposure during the day.
A technique known as photo therapy or light therapy is often
recommended in the treatment of people with SAD. Serotonin
activity is higher on brighter days than on dark days. Full
spectrum lighting may boost serotonin levels, though the research
conducted on using artificial lighting to improve serotonin levels
is conflicting.
