What is S.A.D.? A lot of people don’t know what this abbreviation stands for. It is a seasonal affective disorder. A lot of people probably have it and don’t know it, and/or understand.
If you have this disorder you may know that it affects a lot of people, sometimes in different ways than others. It affects your daily life, routine. Someone that doesn’t have it doesn’t usually doesn’t understand too much about it. Myself for example, there are days that it’s a struggle to want to get out of bed. I have to push myself, get geared up mentally/ physically. My mind wants to play tricks on me and say stay in bed. That’s only 1 example that I go through a lot, not counting the rest of the day.
This disorder is usually diagnosed more often in women than men. More frequently in younger adults than older.
Symptoms:
- Feeling sad/down most of the day.
- Losing interest in the things you used to enjoy
- Low energy, feeling sluggish
- Sleeping too much
- Overeating/ weight gain
- Can’t concentrate
- Feeling hopeless/worthless
S.A.D. Seasonal Symptoms
- Changes in appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety/ agitated
- Irritability increase
- Treatment for S.A.D.
- Get treatment from your medical provider
- Medication
- Light therapy
A lot of people mix these symptoms with depression symptoms, they have a lot of them in common. If you have any doubt at all see your medical provider please!
- People that are at higher risk are someone having bi- polar disorder. For someone with this spring/summer can bring symptoms of mania.
- Someone in your family history that has/had S.A.D. or depression.
- Having major depression/bi-polar.
- People living where there is less sunlight (which is a BIG factor for me personally).
- Low vitamin D
THIS BY NO MEANS IS A DIAGNOSES FOR ANYONE!
S.A.D. Causes
The specific cause is unknown.
1) Biological clock- not enough sunlight in the fall and winter months.
2) Serotonin level- a drop of serotonin affects a mood.
3) Melatonin level- which plays into sleep patterns and mood, with any disruptions your level is unbalanced.
Although this is overall a basic idea of what S.A.D. means, there is more information out there. This also from my personal experience with one example that I provided, to give you somewhat of an idea of what it’s like usually on a daily basis.