Seasonal Affective Disorder

SAD symptoms occur in late fall or early winter and go away in the spring. This occurs for at least two years in a row, with no outlying reason for the occurance; such as tragedies, changes in lifestyle, etc.

> Mood changes: grumpy, irritable or sad.

> Lack of motivation or interest in activities you normally enjoy.

> Lack of energy.

> Extra sleepiness and the desire to sleep more, if not all the time.

> Always hungry, or always wanting to eat. Especially craving sweets or starchy carbs, such as pastas and breads.

> May gain weight in the winter months.

> Have a hard time concentrating

> Lose interest in social life. Want to be a hermit through the winter. Become reclusive.

> Hopelessness, sometimes thoughts of suicide in severe cases.

> Anxiety


MindSoothe for Anxiety, Insomnia and Depression
From: Native Remedies

If you (or someone you love) are suffering with depression,
isn't it time to discover the true cause of your depression
and how you can heal it naturally? How To Heal Depression Naturally Without Therapy or Antidepressants. 100% Guaranteed! Click Here!

"Discover Powerful, Easy-To-Follow Scientifically Proven Techniques to Permanently Cure Your Depression... Your Feel Good Factor Has NOT Gone... You Just Lost It... Get Your Happiness Back and Set Your Mind FREE..." Click Here!

"Ex-Chronic Anxiety and Depression Sufferer Reveals How To Get Natural Anxiety, Depression And Stress Relief With A Revolutionary Easy-To-Follow Program That Will Kick Stress, Depression and Anxiety Out Of Your Life FOREVER" Click Here!

About six years ago, I realized there was a pattern to my "moodiness". I dreaded winters with a passion. I was almost afraid of them! As soon as fall arrived, I started getting real moody, irritable, and generally unhappy. I slept as much as possible, and I ate carbs like crazy. My major weakness was the starchy pastas, breads and potatoes. It took me a long time to realize that I suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD. But I did finally realize that these feelings would lessen drastically in the spring and were almost non-existent in the summer. In the past, I had been prescribed Prozac during my divorce because of depression, but it was never attributed as being seasonal. Although a divorce is a pretty drastic event to go through, and would only compound SAD more, and even throw off the schedule. I had moved to a new town, and changed doctors. This is when I was introduced to Seasonal Affective Disorder.

SAD is quite under diagnosed, and not many doctors will ask the right questions to narrow down the depression. I was lucky enough that my new doctor was also a SAD sufferer, so he was very familiar with it and knew the right questions to ask. When I was first diagnosed by him, I was pregnant, and therefore he prescribed Zoloft because it is one of the few anti-depressants that are safe to take when pregnant. The only problem with Zoloft was that there can be a weight gain side effect. Yes, this did happen to me, and I gained almost 80 pounds while taking Zoloft and being pregnant. Of course, I made the mistake of stopping the medication without consulting with my doctor, and it was a long time before I realized that was a major mistake. I stopped taking them in the spring, and I was exercising and doing weight watchers, and losing weight. So I was feeling really good. But when the winter came back around, the depression came back.

The thing with being depressed, is that the person who is depressed does not always realize it until it is too late. It's hard to "see" yourself and diagnose what is wrong while suffering from it. It took some major problems in my life for me to open my eyes and see that something was off. I finally went back to my doctor, and he put me on Wellbutrin XL. Within a couple weeks to a month, I started to feel much better, and it was only then that I could really look back and see what was happening to me. I've included a section below to tell you about the possible symptoms of SAD. It is very closely related to general depression. It can be mild or severe just like depression. The major difference is that SAD can be tracked as being only seasonal. It is possible to have SAD and still have feelings of mild depression through the summer months, and more severe feelings in the fall, winter and early spring. Don't dismiss thinking that it has to be ONLY the winter months. I am someone who has a general mild depression all the time, which increases drastically in the colder, shorter days of winter.

1. Wellbutrin XL. There are many types of anti-depressants available, and no one person is the same. Different people do better with different medications, or doses. I started with Prozac years ago, and did not like the sexual side effects, so I stopped taking it. Then I tried Zoloft, and did not like the weight gain side effects, so stopped taking that. Wellbutrin has been very effective for me. I used to be on a very large dosage, and have been able to lower the dosage over time to a much lower one now. I have not considered stopping taking it because of the fear of a relapse. Maybe someday with my doctor's supervision this will be possible. Or even taking it seasonally to just defeat the SAD. I have heard many success stories about many other types of anti-depressants, so keep an open mind and work with your doctor to find what is best for you, if this is even the right way to go.

2. Light therapy. I bought a daylight simulator lamp and I sit in front of it while doing my favorite hobbies: cross stitching and reading. This is especially successful in the winter or on overcast days.




3. Vitamin B supplements. Vitamins B6, B12 and Folic Acids are essential mood boosters and help the body fight against depression. A person who is depressed tends to be deficient in these key vitamins, so supplementing them may be key. I take a Vitamin B supplement every morning. If I stop taking it for any length of time, I can actually feel the difference.



4. S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is an amino acid that is used in the treatment of many conditions including liver disease, osteoarthritis, depression, fibromyalgia, schizophrenia, migraine headaches, and to increase bile flow. (SAM-e-supplement.com). I was taking a road trip one and I completely forgot my wellbutrin at home. Since this is a prescription medication, I was not able to just stop somewhere and pick some up. I was already many hours from home. I stopped at a drug store and got some SAMe and Vitamin B. This helped get me through the entire week without having any types of remission or negative effects of not taking the wellbutrin.

5. Exercise! Getting enough physical exercise, getting in shape and feeling good about myself physically made a HUGE impact on my mental well-being. Also, exercise has been found to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as lessen relapses.



"Just how exercise reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety isn't fully understood. Some evidence suggests that exercise raises the levels of certain mood-enhancing neurotransmitters in the brain. Exercise may also boost feel-good endorphins, release muscle tension, help you sleep better, and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It also increases body temperature, which may have calming effects. All of these changes in your mind and body can improve such symptoms as sadness, anxiety, irritability, stress, fatigue, anger, self-doubt and hopelessness." (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/MH00043)

Strength Training for Females
Click Here!

6. Therapy. Sometimes talk therapy with a professional can help. SAD is thought to be a form of depression that is caused by the changes in our body's circadian rhythm, which can cause an irregular balance of serotonin and melatonin. Therapy can help with underlying depression issues which can make us more susceptible to SAD

One very popular treatment for SAD is light therapy. It is theorized that our body's circadium rhythm is interrupted by the shorter days during the winter months, and that this can result in Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is believed that supplementing 2500 to 10,000 lux of artificial day light from light therapy lamps will help reduce the effects of SAD.




Sun Touch Plus Ion and Light Therapy Lamp

NatureBright captures natures healing systems in an attractive home lighting kit. The Sun Touch Plus Lamp and Ionizer bathes you in 10,000-lux Sky Effect light, while simultaneously releasing healthy negative ions into the atmosphere. Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, electron-sized particles found in refreshing environments like beaches and waterfalls. This combination supports your entire system, and balances your body clock leaving you feeling rested, refreshed, and nourished all over. Most importantly, Sun Touch Plus emits optimal blue light , stimulating retinal receptors and pleasing your eyes, while helping to alleviate symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder . Thirty minutes a day can bring about a marked change in your spirits, sleep cycles, and concentration. FEATURES * Sun Touch Plus lamp and ionizer featuring Sky Effect light stimulation * Negative ion and light therapy act as an antidepressant and are clinically proven in treating SAD * Useful for sleep difficulties, changes in work shift, jet lag, menopause discomfort, irritability, and fatigue * No harmful side effects * Portable and easy to hold SPECIFICATIONS * Dimensions: 13.375" H x 8.125" W x 7" D * Weight: 9 lbs * 120 V; 45 W, AC power * 10,000 LUX light output Weight: 9 lbs