If the "winter blues" or "cabin fever" is really getting you down, and you just can't seem to shake those doldrums, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D..) Perhaps you have never thought of S.A.D. as a sleep disorder. In the strictest sense, it is not. It's a form of depression.
However, major symptoms of S.A.D. include increased need for sleep and extreme fatigue. It is listed in many places as a sleep disorder, right along with jet lag and the sleep problems caused by shift work. Outside In says this: "S.A.D. Sleep Problems include - oversleeping but not feeling refreshed, cannot get out of bed, needing a nap in the afternoon." The Mayo clinic lists sleep problems and a lack of energy as symptoms of S.A.D..
A less common type of SAD is summer depression. That begins in either late spring or early autumn. In either type, the disorder seems to be related to the change in the amount of sunlight to which people are exposed. However, S.A.D. is more commonly considered a winter disorder. Thus the name "Winter Blues." The farther north you live, the more common the disorder becomes.. As the days become shorter, and winter storms often hide what little sun there is, people begin to drag through life. There is a desire to sleep, not eight or ten hours, but almost continually. It's almost like your body wants to hibernate.
Other symptoms include:
- Depression
- Loss of energy
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Loss of interest in sex
- Overeating
- Weight gain
- Difficulty concentrating
Methods of Treatment
- Increased light in your home.
- Outdoor walks on sunny days.
- Winter vacations in sunny locales
- Regular exercise
- Try to sleep less
- Reduce carbohydrate intake
- Learn to manage stress
Exposure to bright lights appears to reduce the symptoms of S.A.D. The dreary days increase the output by the pineal gland of melatonin, the hormone that causes us to sleep. This affects the circadian rhythm and makes the body think that it's time to sleep. Bright lights decreases the secretion of the hormone and thus restore a more normal circadian rhythm.
One of the dangers of S.A.D. is the severe depression suffered by some of the victims. Psychologists and psychiatrists find their work load increases at this time of year. If someone you know seems exceedingly depressed for several days, watch for the warning signs of suicide. Dr. Jowsey, of the Mayo Clinic states: "All of us have a few days when we're down, but if your mood stays down, then it's time to get help."
An article in the October 26, 1998 issue of Time Magazine, states that "Scientists estimate that 10 million Americans suffer from season depression and another 25 million more develop a milder form." If you are one of these millions, try some of the treatments suggested above. Check into the lights made for this purpose. Move out of the shadow of winter blues and into a brighter way of life.
