Seasonal Affective Disorder – SAD

December 26, 2014 Whenever winter approaches do you feel irritated or grumpy? Lose interest in daily activities? Well this is not about mere liking’s or disliking but could be a disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or sometimes coined as ‘winter depression’. Not only during winters can people be its prey during summers too.

Symptoms:

• Feeling depressed almost everyday
• Lower energy levels
• Disliking the liked things
• Oversleeping
• Appetite changes, as it increases carbohydrate cravings
• Weight gain
• Over emotional

Causes:

• Reduction in Serotonin levels – an element that affects our mood.
• Disruption of Melatonin levels – an element that affects our sleep
• Biological clock - it affects our sleep and wake pattern.

Who are at risk?

• Gender – Occurrence of SAD is more in females.
• Age – Younger generation are more likely at risk.
• Location – People living far from equator in Cold areas tend to be its prey
• Family History - people having anyone in the family suffering SAD bears the risk of developing Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Dangers

• Suicidal thoughts
• Social aloofness
• Problems at workplaces

Prevention

• Regular exercise
• Increase Vitamin D intake
• Increase the intake of Omega 3
• Curtail fast food from your diet

Health Awareness Post for benefit of People by Desun Hospital and Heart Institute