Download Written Assignment 3

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:
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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
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Inattentive: difficulty concentrating and processing information
Treatments:
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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.