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Name: Romee Afroz Date: 04-09-2011 Written Assignment # 3 Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Definition: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is caused by the body’s reaction to low levels of light present in the fall and winter. Rarely, it is seen in summer due to seasonal change. It, also known as winter depression, winter blues, summer depression or summer blues, is a mood disorder in which people who has normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms only in the winter or summer, spring or autumn, repeatedly, year after year. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), SAD is not a unique mood disorder, but is "a specified of major depression". SAD is more common in women than in men. It usually doesn’t start in people younger than 20 years of age. For adults, the risk of SAD decreases as they get older. SAD is more common in Northern Geographic regions. The worse months for SAD are January and February, and true sad disappears in the spring and summer. Signs and Symptoms: A diagnosis of SAD can be made after three consecutive winters of the following symptoms if they are also followed by complete remission of symptoms in the spring and summer months: Depression: misery, guilt, loss of self-esteem, hopelessness, despair and boredom Anxiety: tension and inability to tolerate stress Mood changes: extremes of mood and, in some, periods of mania in spring and summer Sleep problems: desire to oversleep and difficulty staying awake or, sometimes, disturbed sleep and early morning waking Lethargy: feeling of fatigue and inability to carry out normal routine Appetite changes: especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrate resulting in weight gain Social problems: irritability and desire to avoid social contact Sexual problems: loss of libido and decreased interest in physical contact Loss of energy and interest: feel no curiosity in any activity which was once enjoyed or unwilling to do any work Inattentive: difficulty concentrating and processing information Treatments: Phototherapy or bright light therapy has been shown to suppress the brain’s secretion of melatonin. This therapy has been shown to be effective in up to 85 percent of diagnosed cases. It is commercially available in the form of light boxes, which are used for approximately 30 minutes daily. Regular exposure to light that is bright, particularly fluorescent lights, significantly improves depression in people with SAD when it presents during the fall and winter. 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 does not work, an antidepressant drug may prove effective in reducing or eliminating SAD symptoms, but there may be unwanted side effects to consider. Psychotherapy, Ionized-air administration, cognitive-behavioral therapy and carefully timed supplementation of the hormone melatonin may be helpful. Moreover, physical exercise, socialization, temporarily changing locations to a climate that is characterized by bright light (such as the Caribbean) can achieve similar results. Individuals who suffer from seasonal affective disorder will also likely benefit from increased social support during vulnerable times of the year. A show on SAD- A speedy films production Ditector-Tony Heib In the film, Alex was diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which was a shift of mood depending on the weather. When he saw the sunlight, he looked happy. But, when the sun went out Alex became sad and tended to isolate him from the rest of the world. In the film, in winter season, his friend Bobby came to see Alex how he was doing. Alex made a burrow under the snow and hid there after seeing his friend. He was upset and didn’t enjoy the snow. He also didn’t agree to do fun with Bobby. At home, his friend offered him a cake to eat, at first he denied. When again his friend asked him to eat, Alex threw the cake on the floor; he lost his appetite because of SAD. He seemed very tired. Alex slept most of the time because SAD is connected to the production of melatonin, a sleep related hormone. Even his pet dog Harvey started to show signs of SAD. Finally, when the sun was shining, Alex became excited and wanted to go outside. Sunlight helped him to get rid of SAD.