How Do I Distinguish Depression from Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Posted on | October 30, 2009 | 1 Comment
As Seasonal Affective Disorder is still a relatively recent condition in terms of being identified and diagnosed, we are still learning about the effects it can have on people. It is known that SAD can bring on feelings of depression in the sufferer, however, as SAD is related to the seasons, it should be fairly straightforward to distinguish between the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder and those of depression.
Sufferers of SAD will notice that their symptoms are directly related to the changing seasons. They will experience the symptoms at the same time each year and this is linked to the onset of the long winter months. As the availability of natural sunlight diminishes during the winter, so the symptoms of SAD will appear and become more noticeable. Sufferers of SAD can experience a wide range of symptoms and some will be affected to a far greater extent than others. Basic symptoms include a feeling of lethargy or tiredness, a propensity to eat sugary snacks in order to try and increase energy levels. Sufferers may find that they need more sleep during the autumn and winter months, and their mood might be affected as well – they may well become more short tempered and irritable.
However, as the winter passes and spring arrives, so the symptoms should abate and the sufferer’s energy levels should go back to normal again. When this occurs, it is likely that the symptoms are purely related to Seasonal Affective Disorder and not to another type of depression. Although symptoms will return every year, there are a number of therapies that have been developed to help deal with the condition. There are now many light therapy units available on the market that have helped many people to deal with their SAD and to handle the mood swings between summer and winter months.
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One Response to “How Do I Distinguish Depression from Seasonal Affective Disorder?”
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November 1st, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
I noticed in one of your 2007 posts you have experience with mounting a light box above your shower. I’d like to do the same thing; in the intervening 2 years has any company produced a box designed for this purpose? I’d appreciate any information you can provide.
Thanks