Health Pro List

Winter mood disorder can become a serious dread for people who live in the northern states. From late fall to early winter, the days become shorter and the amount of available sunlight diminishes. Although the cause of the condition, better known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is not completely understood, it appears to have a correlation with diminished sunlight exposure, and those individuals susceptible to SAD are adversely affected by this lack of sunlight. The symptoms of SAD go well beyond simple winter depression or holiday stress.

The phenomenon that occurs between the months of September and March, and is characterized by depression, lethargy, lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities and irritability, is called SAD, or seasonal affective disorder. It affects many thousands of people each winter season, yet there is help, such as with seasonal affective disorder light therapy. This is one treatment method that is both safe and natural, and it really works.

The effects of seasonal affected disorder have not always been recognized as medical symptoms. The term was first used and appeared in medical diagnostic literature in 1985. The typical onset of the condition usually begins as late summer or early fall arrives, and can last until mid to late spring. Regardless of your age or gender, the first step in getting to the root of the problem that's causing your winter blues is recognizing any symptoms you may be experiencing. Milder symptoms are generally easier to treat.