Is Life Feeling S.A.D.?

S.A.D. or Seasonal Affective Disorder affects up to 10% of the population according to Wikipedia.org. It usually begins when the season changes from fall into the longer and darker winter months. It is a mild form of depression that can sometimes get more severe if the person being affected does not take some positive steps to alleviate it. If you or someone you know experiences serious mood changes, usually in a negative or depressive type way, they may just be suffering from SAD.

How do you know for sure if you have SAD and are just not sad? There are some common signs and symptoms that you can look out for to see if you or someone you know is suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder or Depression.

Are You Suffering from Any of the Following?

Oversleeping
Difficulty Getting Out of Bed
Overeating
Cravings for Carbohydrates and Sweets
Lack of Energy
Lack of Drive
Difficulty Relating with Others
Withdrawal from Friends, Family and Social Gatherings
No Sense of Purpose
The word Suicide even crossing your mind

If you are experiencing 3 or more of these symptoms when the seasons change into the colder and darker winter months then you just may be affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is generally not severe unless the person does not adjust within a week or two. It’s not the end of the world, just the end of a season. There is plenty that you can do to help yourself or someone you know who is being affected by SAD.

Common Remedies for SAD

Anti-Depressants (not recommended because they have major side effects)
St. John’s Wort, Omega 3′s, SAM-e and Caffeine supplementation (all short term)
Natural Sunlight Therapy and/or Full Spectrum Lighting
DHEA & Melatonin Supplementation
Exercise – Particularly Cardio for at least 20 Minutes per day
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT
Psychology, Psychiatry or Counseling

I personally do not recommend any prescription medications except in case of being suicidal. The other remedies should be tried first because they are more successful long-term and don’t have the dangerous side-effects of Paxil, Prozac, Ritalin and other similar type medications. Start out by changing the lighting in your home to full-spectrum lighting. Then get outdoors for at least 20 minutes on days where there is sunlight. Exercise in any way that you can that is comfortable for you. Consider eating more vibrantly colored foods (yellows, oranges and greens) and take some of the recommended supplements above.

If your depression is lasting for more than a week or two then consider getting psychological or counseling assistance. You can also learn to heal yourself and others of depression and SAD by using the Depression Free Method. You can find out more about this on the Depression Help page on this site.

Resources:

Healing Remedies

Mind Body Spirit

Arthritis Relief