Addressing The Symptoms Of Seasonal Affective Disorder

When there's a change of climate, some people tend to feel gloomy and miserable. Such mood disorder is known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.

In 1984, U.S. Doctor Norman E. Rosenthal coined the term SAD. It involves changes in the body's mood centers brought on by shorter daylight hours and a lack of sunlight. Despite the fact that many people go through the same grumpiness during this time of the year, most people suffering from this depressive illness experience a sense of utter isolation and loneliness.

One of the most effective clinically-proven treatments for SAD is light therapy, which involves more than just turning on a light. While the average domestic or office light emits a paltry 200-500 lux (a lux is a unit of illuminance), a minimum of 2,500 lux, however, is required to alleviate the symptoms of SAD. In comparison, a clear summer's day can reach an intensity of 100,000 lux.

Using these specs as basis, a number of specially designed light boxes have been invented that emit precisely the right amount of illumination. Symptoms of SAD gradually subside by sitting in front of one for about 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the severity of the condition.

When it comes to treatment of SAD symptoms, light therapy could be the best approach to consider. It has been shown to benefit some 80-85 percent of SAD cases. But to those with severe symptoms, addressing the root causes of the condition may involved both anti-depressant drugs and psychotherapy treatments.

While SAD is virtually unheard of in the tropics, cases of SAD increases dramatically as you go 30 degrees of latitude further north or south. Definitely, travelling to countries near the equator can improve ones mood and well-being.

Watching movies that feature warm, sunny, summery climates may show marked improvements in mood. Any film with clear blue cloudless skies, palm trees and an absence of snow may qualify for a movie therapy.

In the same way, watching outdoor sports like cricket or golf may produce mood-enhancing effect. On the other hand, over-exposure to snooker, darts and indoor bowling has been found to bring on a state of depression and trance-like catatonia that, in severe cases, culminates in complete mental health breakdown.

In treating depression and conditions that have depression as a component of the disease, doctors may prescribed antidepressant medications. These drugs, like Prozac, improve symptoms of depression by increasing the availability of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. It is believed that these brain chemicals can help improve emotions. You can buy Prozac without prescription through online drugstore.

By: Mark Christian Walters

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Mark Walters is a part-time writer and a part-time researcher. He is currently self-studying various Far Eastern languages and is an avid fiction reader. He is currently writing articles oriented towards consumers of pharmaceutical products.

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