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Are You Constantly Experiencing 'Winter Blues'? It Could be Seasonal Affective DisorderMany women experience occasional periods of mild depression but when these moments of depression become more than occasional and appear to happen during the fall and winter you might be suffering from something called seasonal affective disorder. There is seasonal affective disorder treatment available and it is possible to overcome this problem.
The symptoms of seasonal affective disorder can be hard to interpret but keeping a notebook with you and writing down why and when you are feeling low may help you and your doctor find out what's wrong. This disorder affects more women than men. Is SAD Prevalent among Women of all Age Groups?Ten million women experience at least one serious bout of depression in their lives due to seasonal affective disorder. At least 75 to 80 percent of all people those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder are women and the majority of this group of women is aged over 30.Symptoms of SAD in WomenEvery person suffering from this disorder may experience different symptoms. The most common symptoms of seasonal affective disorder in women are:- Depression
- Loss of energy
- Increased sleep and sleepiness
- Loss of interest in sex
- Overeating, especially foods high in carbohydrates
- Weight gain.
- Difficulty concentrating and processing information, especially in the afternoon
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Weight loss
Causes of SADThe exact causes of SAD are unknown but heredity, age and the chemical makeup of the body of a SAD sufferer all appear to play an important part. The availability of sunlight is all important and a change in moods with the seasons can make the diagnosis for seasonal affective disorder easier. Research has shown that that reduced sunlight could possibly disrupt the so-called circadian rhythms that regulate your body's internal clock. This clock regulates your sleeping patterns and lets you know when it's time to sleep and when it's time to wake up. The disruption of this clock can cause depression. For example the occurrence of winter depression is more common in people living in countries where there is less sun during the winter such as Alaska.
Some scientists have theorized that melatonin, a sleep-related hormone that's also linked to depression, might be the cause. Production of melatonin increases during the long nights of winter.
Other research shows that the lack of serotonin, a chemical in the brain (also called a neurotransmitter) seems to be triggered by sunlight and could possibly be the reason for winter depression. People who are depressed are known to have lower levels of serotonin in their brains.Is it Possible to Diagnose SAD?It is most important that anyone who suffers from depression consult a qualified health professional and this is also the case for potential sufferers from SAD. These people are not an exception and it is imperative that they seek help. A self-diagnosis may seem relatively easy to make, but there are many other conditions that are similar to SAD. These problems must be considered and investigated before any seasonal affective disorder treatment can be started.
Continue to: Treatment for SAD
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