Seasonal Affective Disorder makes a lot of us SAD

Learning to cope with dark days downers that affect more than half a million Canadians

By: Suzanne Elston

  I was heading out early to go to the gym this morning, when I saw something that I hadn't seen in a long time. For the first time in months, or so it seemed, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The stars were actually twinkling. All the way to the gym I was making mental notes of all the wonderful things I was going to do when the sun came up - wash the bedding and hang it on the line to dry, open the windows and get some fresh air. I was even planning to take the dog for a nice long walk.
  Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed when I got to the gym. A large blanket of clouds was rolling in and snuffing out the stars one twinkle at a time. By the time I'd finished my workout, another gray day, in a long line of seemingly endless gray days, was about to dawn.
  I hate gray. I hate the snow and I hate winter. This is not a normal state of mind for me. I usually revel in the first snowflake and get all teary-eyed if we're lucky enough to have a white Christmas. I even enjoy the delicate lacy patterns that frost draws on the windows of our old farmhouse. But this year I've had enough, and I'm not alone.
 

Symptoms can range from chronic fatigue and oversleeping, to overeating, weight gain, and, in severe cases, inability to function normally

  It turns out that getting enough sunlight, particularly during the winter months, can be critical to our mental health. Not getting enough golden rays can affect the balance of chemicals in our brain, including serotonin. It's responsible for regulating sleep patterns and it can also affect our moods and our appetite. For most of us, the next sunny day will be enough to brighten our spirits. But for some people, lack of sunlight can cause a serious condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.
  The latest estimates are that 5 per cent of the population, or more than half a million Canadians, suffer from this often debilitating form of depression. An additional 25 per cent of Canadians may experience milder symptoms simply described as the winter doldrums. During a gray winter like this one, that figure could probably run even higher. SAD sufferers can have symptoms that range from chronic fatigue and oversleeping, to overeating and subsequent weight gain. In severe cases, individuals are unable to function normally. SAD sufferers may also experience persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain that don't respond to treatment. In extreme cases, SAD patients may even become suicidal. Women are four times more likely than men to suffer from SAD. While SAD is most prevalent with people in their 20s, it can strike at any age. SAD symptoms in children include irritability, difficulty getting out of bed and school problems.
  Since the medical community has only recognized SAD as a legitimate condition since 1984, treatment plans are still developing. However, it is generally agreed that the key to recovery for most sufferers is exposure to light. While some report improvement by spending more time in the sun, light therapy has proven extremely effective in combating SAD symptoms. Light therapy consists of using a "light box" with high-intensity florescent lights, approximately 5 to 20 times greater than ordinary indoor lighting early in the morning. The treatment consists of daily 30-minute sessions sitting in front of the light box. While symptoms dissipate quickly, so does the effect of the light therapy. In order to keep SAD symptoms at bay, sufferers must continue daily treatments throughout the winter months.
  Drug therapy and diet are also being looked at as possible treatments for SAD.
  With almost six weeks of winter still remaining, don't wait for the warm weather to chase your blues away. If you suspect that you or a family member might be suffering from SAD, consult your family doctor for a referral to a qualified specialist. A diagnosis of SAD requires a professional evaluation by a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker.

WEBSITES OF THE WEEK:

For more information about SAD, go to:

Internet Mental Health (www.mentalhealth.com/book/p40-sad.html). Lots of medical references, recommended lighting systems. Excellent site.

Outside In (www.outsidein.co.uk/sadinfo.htm) is another good reference site.

Although it's a commercial site promoting its lighting products, The PhoThera® lighting systems website has lots of information about light therapy and background research papers on SAD.

Other commercial sites selling SAD lighting include:

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