There are people that appear to become depressed around the winter holidays.
Many think it may be because of the holidays.
Some speculate these people had something bad happen in their childhood to cause these feelings.
For some this may be true.
For others, there is a problem called Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD).
SAD most commonly begins during late fall and will extend into and through the winter months.
Some will refer to SAD as the winter blues.
This explanation may lead to a misunderstanding of ones feelings and could create larger issues.
If a person doe suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, the way to tackle the problem is to first begin to understand it.
What is SAD? SAD is a form of depression that appears during the same season every year.
Symptoms of SAD will start mildly and become increasingly severe as the winter months draw near.
These symptoms may include some or all of the following.
FEELINGS OF SADNESS, ANXIETY, WITHDRAWING FROM SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND SITUATIONS, FEELINGS OF HOPELESSNESS, OVERSLEEPING, WEIGHT GAIN, IRRITABILITY, INSOMNIA, WEIGHT LOSS, POOR APPETITE, DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING.
Where does SAD come from? Like many other mental health issues, science does not yet understand why people suffer from this disorder.
There is speculation that the decrease in sunlight affects a neurotransmitter in the brain called serotonin.
Serotonin in the brain is said to influence mood, appetite, sleep, as well as a host of other behaviors.
Scientist believe there is a correlation between lack of sunlight, causing drop in serotonin leads to Seasonal Affective Disorder.
How is SAD treated? If you or someone you know is experiencing SAD you may want to consult your doctor depending on the severity of the problem.
The most widely used treatment methods are sunlight therapy and medications.
One might also realize we live in a culture that encourages being happy all the time.
When one is not, our society portrays their lack of happiness as a weakness of the person.
If we were not suppose to feel these feelings, we would not.
Next I would like to address the fact that not all problems can be solved in a pill.
Counseling also works, with no side effects.
Research demonstrates the best treatment for depression is a combination of both medication and counseling.
Many think it may be because of the holidays.
Some speculate these people had something bad happen in their childhood to cause these feelings.
For some this may be true.
For others, there is a problem called Seasonal Affective Disorder(SAD).
SAD most commonly begins during late fall and will extend into and through the winter months.
Some will refer to SAD as the winter blues.
This explanation may lead to a misunderstanding of ones feelings and could create larger issues.
If a person doe suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, the way to tackle the problem is to first begin to understand it.
What is SAD? SAD is a form of depression that appears during the same season every year.
Symptoms of SAD will start mildly and become increasingly severe as the winter months draw near.
These symptoms may include some or all of the following.
FEELINGS OF SADNESS, ANXIETY, WITHDRAWING FROM SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND SITUATIONS, FEELINGS OF HOPELESSNESS, OVERSLEEPING, WEIGHT GAIN, IRRITABILITY, INSOMNIA, WEIGHT LOSS, POOR APPETITE, DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING.
Where does SAD come from? Like many other mental health issues, science does not yet understand why people suffer from this disorder.
There is speculation that the decrease in sunlight affects a neurotransmitter in the brain called serotonin.
Serotonin in the brain is said to influence mood, appetite, sleep, as well as a host of other behaviors.
Scientist believe there is a correlation between lack of sunlight, causing drop in serotonin leads to Seasonal Affective Disorder.
How is SAD treated? If you or someone you know is experiencing SAD you may want to consult your doctor depending on the severity of the problem.
The most widely used treatment methods are sunlight therapy and medications.
One might also realize we live in a culture that encourages being happy all the time.
When one is not, our society portrays their lack of happiness as a weakness of the person.
If we were not suppose to feel these feelings, we would not.
Next I would like to address the fact that not all problems can be solved in a pill.
Counseling also works, with no side effects.
Research demonstrates the best treatment for depression is a combination of both medication and counseling.
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