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Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and winter blues
can be eased with sad light therapy |
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Animals react to mood changes and the seasons
changing, behaviour and metabolism and us humans are
exactly the same. Most people find they sleep and eat
slightly more over the winter months and dislike the
dark dank mornings and short days, which is commonly
called the 'winter blues'. For some, the symptoms can be
severe enough to have an effect on their lives and can
cause considerable distress. This is what is known as
Seasonal Affective Disorder "SAD". This is
where Sad light therapy comes into its own.
Who does it affect?
Recent figures say around 2% of people in Northern
Europe suffer from SAD badly, theres also up to
another 10% who simply put up with the milder symptoms
(sub-syndromal SAD or winter blues). Around the
world the incidence are increased the further the
distance from the equator, but it becomes less common if
there is snow on the ground. SAD seems to affect
women more than men, Adolescents and children are also
susceptible but the symptoms can be alleviated with the
use of sad light therapy.
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How does SAD affect people?
Symptoms tend to start from
around September each year lasting
until April, but are at their worst
in the darkest months. Symptoms
include:
- Sleep problems -
oversleeping but not refreshed,
cannot get out of bed, needing a
nap in the afternoon
- Overeating - carbohydrate
craving leading to weight gain
- Depression, despair, misery,
guilt, anxiety - normal tasks
become frustratingly difficult
- Family / social problems -
avoiding company, irritability,
loss of libido, loss of feeling
- Lethargy - too tired to
cope, everything an effort
- Physical symptoms - often
joint pain or stomach problems,
lowered resistance to infection
- Behavioural problems -
especially in young people
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