Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It's the season not to be happy
During the months of November to February, the days begin to be shorter and colder and the nights longer and darker. Climate changes seem to affect many people and they just cannot understand why they tend to feel sad and miserable. This mood disorder is called winter depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
According to Norman E. Rosenthal, the physician who coined the term SAD in 1984, winter depression has a strong medical basis that involves changes in the body's mood centers caused by shorter daylight hours and lack of sunlight. Most people with depressive illnesses experience a sense of utter isolation and loneliness. But the fact that many people go through the same bad moods during this time of year provides a sense of comfort and security that they are not alone. As the cliché goes, "misery loves company."
According to statistics from the SAD Association, 500,000 people in the UK experience some form of winter depression, while doctors have estimated that 20% of the population, or almost 2 million people, are affected in Sweden by this condition .
One of the most effective and clinically proven treatments for SAD is "light therapy," which has been shown to benefit 80 to 85 percent of SAD cases. As simple as it may sound, the treatment actually involves more than just turning on a light and sitting next to it while twirling your thumbs as you wait for that renewed energy to "turn on" all your well-being.
The average home or office light emits a measly 200-500 lux (one lux is a unit of illuminance), while a minimum of 2500 lux is required to alleviate the symptoms of SAD. In comparison, a clear summer day can reach an intensity of 100,000 lux.
Based on these specifications, a number of specially designed light boxes have been invented that emit precisely the correct amount of illumination. Symptoms of SAD gradually decrease when sitting in front of one for about 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the severity of the condition.
Phototherapy may be the best treatment for SAD in terms of symptoms. However, addressing the root causes of the condition can involve both antidepressant medications and psychotherapy treatments, especially for those with severe symptoms.
Studies have shown that the incidence of SAD increases dramatically as you advance 30 degrees latitude further north or south, as the condition is virtually unknown in tropical countries. A move or vacation trip to these equatorial countries may seem impractical, but it can definitely improve your mood and well-being.
Watching movies featuring hot, sunny, and summery climates shows demonstrable improvements in mood. Research shows that any movie with a clear blue sky without clouds, palm trees, and the absence of snow should qualify for movie therapy.
The same mood-enhancing effect can result from simply watching outdoor sports like cricket or golf. However, overexposure to billiards, darts, and indoor bowling has been found to cause a trance-like state of depressive catatonia that, in severe cases, culminates in a total collapse of mental health.
