Seasonal Affective Disorder

The syndrome of winter depression, is called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is specifically related to the changes in the length of daylight from the seasons. It begins to lift as spring approaches with daylight hours becoming longer. SAD is rare in the tropics, but is measurably present at latitude of 30 degrees N (or S) and higher. People who live in the Arctic region are especially susceptible due to the effects of polar night. Prolonged periods of overcast weather can also intensify SAD. Although doctors don’t know the causes of seasonal affective disorder, but heredity, age and your body's chemical makeup all can play a role. Research has showed various possibilities for having SAD. The two possibilities is the lack of serotonin and the other theory is that melatonin produced in the pineal gland is the primary cause.

While its exact cause is unknown, the disorder has been linked to a malfunction in the body’s biological clock that controls temperature and hormone production. Researchers suspect that reduced sunlight may disrupt circadian rhythms that regulate your body's internal clock, which lets you know when it's time to sleep and when it's time to wake up. This disruption may cause depression

( History) Seasonal affective disorder was first described by the 6th century Goth scholar Jordanes in his Getica where he described the inhabitants of Scandinavia. In the USA the diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder was first proposed by Norman E. Rosenthal, MD. Dr. Rosenthal wondered why he became more depressed during the winter after moving from South Africa to New York. He started experimenting increasing exposure to artificial light. Rosenthal later on found this made a difference. Dr. Rosenthal first called this disorder “winter blues.”

As many as 12 million Americans may suffer from this disorder, and up to 35 million other may experience milder forms. It’s at least four times as common among women, usually beginning in the twenties and thirties. Although, in some cases of SAD it has been reported that children and teenagers were also affected. Other estimates suggest that as many as half of all women in northern states experience pronounced winter depression. Many say “I start to feel depressed around November” and “It just keeps getting worse until the spring.” SAD has also been indicated in people who work day after day in windowless offices.

(symptoms) Usually, SAD symptoms are not as severe as a non-seasonal major depression, and they are not tied to a traumatic event as a major depression may be. SAD symptoms include those of a typical major depression, such as a depressed mood, anxiety, irritability, energy loss, over sleeping and overeating. Some other symptoms might also include low self-esteem, obsessing over little thing, shyness, and panic attacks. These changes may result from a change in the balance of chemicals associated with decreased sunlight.

The pineal gland appears to be particularly important in the development of SAD. The pineal gland is located near the center of the brain. The gland process information about light through special nerve pathways and releases the sleep inducing hormone melatonin. Melatonin is also responsible for regulating circadian rhythms. Melatonin is produced in the dark and peaks during winter. Experts believe it may suppress mood and mental quickness.

Some scientists have theorized the lack of light in the wintertime can result in lower levels of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter; it carries signals from the output of one nerve to the input of the next inside the brain. Serotonin is the mood enhancing chemical that regulates hunger and