Winter and Seasonal Affective Disorder

When the weather is wet, cold and windy and the days and night are dark it's common to feel a little bit down in the dumps but feeling just a little bit blue is different from being depressed at this time of the year.

Winter depression which is commonly referred to as a seasonal affective disorder (SAD) often begins during the fall and then continues throughout the winter months until late spring or early summer and generally affects those that live further away from the equator. This is a real form of depression and a serious mental disorder.

The primary cause of seasonal affected disorder is believed to be the result of diminished sunlight which accompany the shorter days during the winter months of the year.

With this disorder comes a range of symptom that include: A downbeat or sad mood during most days. Fatigue and feeling worn down with a desire to sleep excessively. Carbohydrate cravings leading to weight gain. Loss of motivation and social withdrawal and at its most extreme, thought about suicide.

If you think that you maybe suffering from this disorder than you should consult your doctor so that he can rule out any different type of mood disorder or physical illness and then provide you with the best form of treatment. Treatment may involve the following:

Light Therapy: A form of treatment specifically designed to treat the depressive disorder SAD and one which has been shown in many research studies to reduce the symptoms of SAD. This therapy involves the exposure to specially designed bright lights that emit 10,000 lux and which are used daily for 30 minutes or more. These light boxes can easily be purchased online and come in various sizes to suite an individuals requirements. For many people the use of a light box soon results in increased energy levels, reduction in the cravings for carbohydrates and an overall improvement in thinking and optimism.

Medication: Anti-deppresant medication is the most common form of treatment for deppressive disorders. One type of ant-deppresant that has proved useful in treating the symptoms of seasonal affected disorders is wellbutrin. If you do decide to use anti-deppressants then you should discuse any side affects with your doctor before using them and should never stop taking any medication without talking with your doctor first.

So remember. Winter depression does not last forever and is a treatable disorder and the sooner you get help for this disorder the better.