The Basics of SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder

Did you know that lack of sunlight can cause a sleeping disorder? This disease is usually developed over the long winters especially if you live up to the North, or down to the South, where winters equals less sunlight. Usually, those with these disaeses are found mostly in the Northern hemisphere.

Where is your office? Are there an lights nearby or any lighting? Do you get a window seat? Or how about your home? Are your curtains always closed? Not only does sunlight aggrevate one to have seasonal affective disorders, not having enough light can trigger this disease. If you're usually in a building because of work, the disease can be aggrevated by the lighted surrounding.

Usually, you'll know you have Seasonal Affective Disorder when you consult a doctor because it's really hard to diagnose yourself with a sickness; however, some symptons are depression, a need for sleep, no energy, weight gain, difficulty concentrating, and general malaise. Depression is just feeling down-in-the-dumps or upset for no reason at all. A need for sleep isn't feeling tired after 5 hours of sleep. It's when you're constantly feeling tired regardless of the amount of sleep you may be receiving. General malaise means that you're not feeling although you can't say what it is that's the problem.

Some therapy you may want to try is creating a better lighted atmosphere. Keep the rooms bright, and open the curtains and windows for the sun! Exercising is also a great therapy. Go out and do some exercises - perhaps gardening or play a game of basketball with your kids. Any exercise is better than none. If you're short on time, why not go out for a short walk in a sunny day? Or if that's not possible, just sitting down near a window while sunlight is shining down upon you will definitely help! If there is no sunlight, you will need to purchase a lightbox to stimulate the missing sunshine!

Other choices are talking to your doctor for antidepressants, herbalist for herbal remedies (remember, when in doubt, consult your doctor!). If your depression is getting worse, talk to a psycotherapy to take a look at the problem again.