Seasonal affective disorder (SAD; seasonal depression)

• What is Seasonal affective disorder
• Statistics on Seasonal affective disorder
• Risk Factors for Seasonal affective disorder
• Progression of Seasonal affective disorder
• Symptoms of Seasonal affective disorder
• Clinical Examination of Seasonal affective disorder
• How is Seasonal affective disorder Diagnosed?
• Prognosis of Seasonal affective disorder
• How is Seasonal affective disorder Treated?
• Seasonal affective disorder References

What is Seasonal affective disorder

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression that is linked into the years seasonal changes.
The majority of sufferer’s of SAD are depressed only during the late autumn and winter and not during the spring or summer. This is often referred to as suffering the winter blues. A small proportion, however, are depressed only during the late spring and summer.

Statistics on Seasonal affective disorder

In North America, SAD may affect as many as 6 of every 100 people. About 70-80% of those with SAD are women, although it can affect either sex and any age. The most common age of onset is in one’s thirties, but cases of childhood SAD have been reported and successfully treated. For every individual with full blown SAD, there are many more with milder “Winter Blues.” It occurs throughout the northern and southern hemispheres but is extremely rare in those living within 30 degrees of the Equator, where daylight hours are long, constant and extremely bright.

Risk Factors for Seasonal affective disorder

As seasons change, there is a shift in our ‘biological internal clocks’ or circadian rhythms, due partly to these changes in sunlight patterns. This can cause our biological clocks to be out of ‘step’ with our daily schedules. The most difficult months for SAD sufferers are January and February (northern hemisphere) and July and August (southern hemisphere). Younger persons and women are at higher risk.

How is Seasonal affective disorder Diagnosed?

No laboratory tests are available to detect SAD. Your health care provider will make the diagnosis from your symptoms, medical interview, and examination.

Prognosis of Seasonal affective disorder

The outcome is good with continuous treatment, though some people may have the disorder throughout their lives.

How is Seasonal affective disorder Treated?

Phototherapy or bright light therapy has been shown to suppress the brain?s secretion of melatonin. Although, there have been no research findings to definitely link this therapy with an antidepressant effect, many people respond to this treatment. The device most often used today is a bank of white fluorescent lights on a metal reflector and shield with a plastic screen. For mild symptoms, spending time outdoors during the day or arranging homes and workplaces to receive more sunlight may be helpful. One study found that an hour’s walk in winter sunlight was as effective as two and a half hours under bright artificial light.
If phototherapy doesn’t work, an antidepressant drug may prove effective in reducing or eliminating SAD symptoms, but there may be unwanted side effects to consider. Discuss your symptoms thoroughly with your family doctor and/or mental health professional.

Seasonal affective disorder References

[1] Dilsaver SC, Jaeckle RS. Winter depression responds to an open trial of tranylcypromine. J Clin Psychiatry 1990;51:326-9.
[2] Schlager DS. Early-morning administration of short-acting beta blockers for treatment of winter depression. Am J Psychiatry 1994;151:1383-5.
[3] Sack RL, Lewy AJ, White DM, Singer CM, Fireman MJ, Vandiver R. Morning vs evening light treatment for winter depression. Evidence that the therapeutic effects of light are mediated by circadian phase shifts. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1990;47:343-51.
[4] eMedicine