Dr Chris Steele discusses Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

All about Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months when the days are shorter, darker and colder. Sometimes known as the Winter Blues, it was only discovered in the 1970s.

The symptoms include
  • Feeling sad and low or crying frequently.
  • Thinking negatively about yourself and pessimistic about the future.
  • Needing more sleep, and difficulty in arising in the morning.
  • Difficulty in concentrating, and in completing tasks.
  • Overeating and weight gain.


The symptoms typically start in October to November and last until March or April. The condition is more common in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.

Causes of SAD
SAD affects up to 8 million people in the UK during the winter, with women being twice as commonly affected as men. The symptoms result from light deprivation, and during the hours of darkness a hormone called melatonin is produced, which makes us feel drowsy. As soon as light appears production of the hormone stops.

There may also be a genetic link, as people with close relatives who have SAD are more likely to develop the symptoms.

Treatment
Treatment consists of sitting the patient in front of special fluorescent tubes for about 1 to 2 hours in the morning and in the evening. These tubes aren't normal fluorescent tubes as they emit a particular intensity of light (2500 lux), which is equivalent to a clear blue sunny day. A normal light bulb will onlu emit 200-500 lux, by comparison.

Such 'Light therapy' produces an improvement within 5 days, but sufferers have to use this treatment daily throughout the winter, and every winter thereafter. Patients can buy their own light boxes, costing between 185 and 350.

No drugs are as effective as light therapy in the treatment of SAD. Unfortunately this treatment is not available on the NHS.



Further Information
Further information from the SAD Association
NHS Direct information about SAD

Lightbox suppliers
There are a number of different suppliers of Lightboxes, such as Pharos, LightVisors, Brightspark, Desklamp,Bodyclock,Diamond 4 and the Little LitePod.

You can obtain some of these from Outsidein.co.uk, who claim to be Europe's leading supplier if such products. Or alternatively from SADLighting.co.uk
This content was created on Tue 13 February 2007

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