Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a cyclical depression that occurs in the
fall and winter months but improves in the spring and summer. SAD is an
appropriate acronym for what is commonly known as winter depression. Seasonal
Affective Disorder is common in areas of the country that have cold, cloudy
winters with short daylight hours and little sunshine.
Common SAD symptoms include:
- Sugar and carbohydrate cravings.
- Resulting weight gain.
- Feeling of fatigue or inability to function with the normal daily routine.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Irritability, tension and inability to tolerate stress.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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