Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that begins in autumn or early winter and generally lasts from 5-7 months until spring.
The early loss of sunlight in the winter appears to induce chemical changes in the brain that bring on depression. When the days grow longer in the spring, symptoms disappear, not reappearing until the next autumn or winter. Many people have mood changes in the winter and are completely unaware this condition actually exists. Of the estimated 35 million Americans who get this condition, women seem to be the group it occurs in most often.The symptoms of SAD may vary in depending on the person. The more common symptoms are:
- Lack of energy
- Increased desire to sleep
- Depression
- Increased appetite leading to weight gain
- Anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Withdrawal; difficulty with relationships; loss of sexual desire
- Increase in Premenstrual Syndrome-related symptoms in women
Modern medicine has a one answer that I am in full support of for this condition-Bright Light Therapy. Bright light therapy seems to be one of the more effective treatments and as far as I am concerned this is still a “natural remedy” Bright light therapy consists of exposure to an up to 10,000 lux, cool-white florescent light for 30-120 minutes a day.( Arch Gen Psychiatry 1998 Oct;55(10):875-82) This type of light therapy requires special lamps that provide up to 20 times the normal brightness of home or office lighting. Nutritional supplements can provide some added benefit for SAD. When looking at the research on this topic, most looked at depression in general and not the specifics of SAD. Low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin are found in a large number of individuals with depression and SAD. Supplements that act like serotonin precursors such as L-Tryptophan and 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) may provide some benefit to those with SAD. An article published in Alternative Medicine Review (1998 Aug;3(4):271-280) stated that 5-HTP is the intermediate metabolite of the amino acid L-Tryptophan in the biosynthesis of serotonin. It can easily cross the blood-brain barrier and effectively increases central nervous system (CNS) synthesis of serotonin. In the CNS, serotonin levels have been implicated in the regulation of depression.My supplement of choice for SAD and correctly diagnosed mild to moderate Depression is St. John’s Wort (SJW). A study published in the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology 1994 Oct;7 Suppl 1:S29-33 found that people taking 900mg of SJW per day may be an efficient therapy in patients with seasonal affective disorder.If you have been suffering the winter blues, it would be a great idea to get a diagnosis prior to beginning any natural health program. Many people feel down or depressed and assume it is depression, when it could be the symptom of some other health issue such as heart disease, chronic pain and thyroid conditions. It is never a good idea to self diagnose your health. Get the facts then negotiate with your health care provider about the treatment options you have or may want to use. Going natural works, but only when you use the supplements for the right condition.