As winter approaches and daylight hours shorten, people prone to seasonal depression may feel it in their bodies and brains. According to the AP, the millions of people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, typically have episodes of depression that begin in the fall and subside in the spring or summer. One of the triggers for SAD is the return to standard time, which happened Sunday across much of the United States, leading to darker afternoons. A milder form, subsyndromal SAD, is recognized by medical experts, and there is also a summer variety of seasonal depression. No single cause of seasonal affective disorder has been identified. This disorder affects many more women than men, according to the NIH. Symptoms may be similar to depression and include persistent feelings of hopelessness or pessimism and difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
Many people with SAD respond to light therapy, says Dr. Paul Desan of Yale. Therapy may involve exposure to bright light for about 30 minutes in the morning, powered by devices that emit light about 20 times brighter than regular indoor light. Antidepressants constitute a first-line treatment for SAD, along with light therapy. Doctors also recommend maintaining a regular sleep schedule and walking outside, even on cloudy days. However, the benefits of light therapy can fade when people stop using it. Studies have shown that one type of talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, has longer-lasting effects, says Kelly Rohan, a researcher at the University of Vermont, noting that working with a therapist can help people take small steps toward having fun again. Try planning undemanding but enjoyable activities to come out of hibernation mode, including seeing a friend for coffee. More here.
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