S.A.D. Seasonal Affective Disorder
There are a lot of people who become miserable in the winter months,
it does not usualy occur to them just what the effects of dark sunless skies can do to their moods,
and why they seem to have symptoms of depression, listlessness, a craving for carbohydates, and interruption to
their sleep pattern. Mood swings and weight gain are just some of the changes many of us notice in ourselves in
winter when it can even be difficult to get out of bed in the morning. The reason may well be S.A.D. seasonal affective
disorder, and in order to find out if that is the problem a diagnosis can be made if this is monitered over a two
year period when the difference in well being is noticably different in the winter months than it is in the
summer when these symptoms disappear.
The reason for this is that not enough light is reaching our eyes, and we have an over production of
melatonin, and less levels of seratonin, our body clock is not funcioning correctly, and our sleep pattern is
disturbed. This can be corrected by the use of light boxes, and has proved of help also to alzheimer type dementia
sufferers where the damaged nerve pathways and deterioration of the eyes due to the aging process means that
indoor levels of light are not usualy sufficient to signal that it is daytime, so the patients body
clock is not attuned to the daily pattern, this affects the wake up process and the sleep cycle.
Light boxes are now used extensively in the U K with proven good results, if these symptoms seem familiar to you do
have a thorough check up and make sure you enjoy your winters as much as your summers.
by Ted Cooper
