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Facts About Seasonal Affective Disorder
Facts About Seasonal Affective Disorder
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As golden autumn days give way to early winter darkness, an estimated 35 million Americans notice a significant loss of energy and growing sadness. They tend to oversleep, become more anxious, and feel pulled to just stay home, and hibernate. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D, is a medical condition that causes mood and behavioral changes during winter months. When the days get shorter many of us experience this mild, seasonal depression. Our mood dips, we're lethargic and less productive at work, our sex drive drops and our appetite increases, especially for starches and sweets. These milder symptoms are often called the winter blues or sub clinical S.A.D.
A smaller number of people are diagnosed with an extreme form of S.A.D, with symptoms more intense than the winter blues. They suffer from extreme fatigue, memory lags, sluggish thinking, and prolonged periods of despair, sometimes even leading to suicidal thoughts. Both conditions are thought to be caused by chemical changes in the brain, triggered by reduced light exposure. Research has shown that sitting in front of a special light box, that's much brighter than typical indoor light, can offer significant help to many S.A.D sufferers. In addition, don't forget to exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, and try to get outside daily and increase your exposure to sunlight. Remember, it's normal to have a few days during the winter months when you feel down or blue. But if your low mood persists for a week or more, it's best to seek help from a mental health professional. Helping keep your winter blues at bay.
I am Dr. Richard Flanagan.
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- Mental Health Is Personal, Real, and Transformative (World Mental Health Day 2021)
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