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Seasonal Depression - how to overcome the winter blues

Seasonal Depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that has only been classified in the last couple of years. This type of depression becomes apparent in some individuals as the seasons change and is directly related to a reduction in daylight as winter approaches.

Seasonal Depression affects females far more than it does males, with the ratio of women to men reportedly suffering from the disorder standing at around 4:1. Research suggests that the condition is caused by a hypersensitivity to the reduction of natural light to the pineal gland in the brain and a shift in the body's circadian rhythm due to seasonal alterations.

More often than not this type of depression will present itself in cycles, with onset occurring in late autumn or early winter and symptoms lasting until early spring, after which they once again become dormant.

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder may vary from one person to the next, but in most cases include some or all of the following:

•  Constant feelings of irritability, sadness, anxiety and annoyance.

•  Lack of energy and feeling lethargic most of the time.

•  A significant increase in weight and a continuous craving for carbohydrates.

•  Oversleeping and constantly finding it almost impossible to wake up in the mornings.

•  No desire to interact socially with other individuals or experience pleasurable activities.

•  In some women, unusually acute pre-menstrual tension and mood swings.

Research has shown that the most effective manner in which to treat the disorder is to subject patients to increased levels of light. This is however not always as simple as it may sound. In non equatorial countries, particularly those in the northern hemisphere, natural light levels tend to diminish incredibly quickly as winter approaches. The majority of artificial light sources are relatively weak and are of little assistance when it comes to easing symptoms. Short of relocating to an area nearer the equator during the winter months, there are often not many natural means by which to reduce symptoms.

Some patients have been found to respond favourably to phototherapy. This type of therapy involves the patient sitting close to a fluorescent light for several hours, several days a week. The disadvantage to this type of treatment is that it is both time consuming and needs to be continued constantly throughout periods of reduced sunlight. Other possible treatments of the disorder include antidepressant drugs and cognitive and behavioural therapy.

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