THERE ARE lots of people who aren’t looking forward to the end of summer and the start of colder, shorter days.
But for people with seasonal affective disorder the changing season can affect their whole life – but what exactly is the disorder and how is it treated?
Seasonal affective disorder is a condition where people feel depressed during a certain time of the year – usually winter
What is seasonal affective disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder.
People who suffer with the condition display normal mental health throw most of the year but become depressed during a specific season – most commonly winter.
Experts were initially sceptical about SAD but it is now recognised as a common disorder.
In the States it is thought that 1.4% of people in Florida struggle with the condition while 9.9% of the population are sufferers in Alaska.
The condition can include heightened levels of anxiety during the “down” period.
While the symptoms can be severe they often clear up in spring and summer.
It is often at its most severe in December, January and February
Is SAD the same depression?
SAD is a condition where depression is felt seasonally but the individual has normal mental health for the rest of the year.
People are typically most severely affected in December, January and February.
