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Select Test Anxiety ADHD and ADD Alcholism Antisocial Personality Disorder Avoidant Personality Disorder Bipolar Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder Dependent Personality Disorder Depression Eating Disorder Histrionic Personality Disorder IQ Narcissistic Personality Disorder Obssessive Compulsive Disorder Paranoid Personality Disorder Seasonal Affective Disorder Schizoid Personality Disorder Schizophrenia Schizoaffective Schizotypal Personality Disorder

SAD is a mood disorder associated with depression episodes and related to seasonal variations of light.

Symptoms Include:

• Regularly occurring symptoms of depression (excessive eating and sleeping, weight gain) during the fall / autumn or winter months.
• Full remission from depression occur in the spring and summer months.
• Symptoms have occurred in the past two years, with no nonseasonal depression episodes.
• Seasonal episodes substantially outnumber nonseasonal depression episodes.
• A craving for sugary and/or starchy foods.

Possible Cause of this Disorder
Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, has been linked to SAD. This hormone, which may cause symptoms of depression, is produced at increased levels in the dark. Therefore, when the days are shorter and darker the production of this hormone increases.

Treatments
Phototherapy or bright light therapy has been shown to suppress the brain's secretion of melatonin. Although, there have been no research findings to definitely link this therapy with an antidepressant effect, many people respond to this treatment. The device most often used today is a bank of white fluorescent lights on a metal reflector and shield with a plastic screen. For mild symptoms, spending time outdoors during the day or arranging homes and workplaces to receive more sunlight may be helpful. One study found that an hour's walk in winter sunlight was as effective as two and a half hours under bright artificial light. (nmha.org)

Please note that the information found on this website is for informational purposes only and PersonalityQuiz.info does not provide accurate diagnoses for all medical problems. If in doubt, see a psychiatrist.

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