Mark's SAD Page
What is SAD?
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short, is a treatable mental illness that some people suffer from when they are not exposed to sufficient levels of sunlight. Although most people experience some change in mood during the dark days of winter, which is sometimes called the "Winter Blues," for SAD patients this shift in mood is disruptive to the conducting of their normal lives, work and relationships.
The lack of bright light entering the eye induces a clinically measurable depression, with all the classic symptoms of depression including lack of energy, inability to concentrate and feelings of worthlessness.
It can be effectively treated with light therapy, anti-depressant drug therapy, or a combination of the two.
On-Line SAD Resources and Links
Medical Research and CommentarySeasonal Affective Disorder Article by Dr. Raymond W. Lam of the University of British Columbia.
Research Societies
The Society for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms (SLTBR), United States.
Light Therapy Device Vendors
Outside In in the United Kingdom.
General SAD Resources
SAD Category on Yahoo!
My Personal SAD Story
I first experienced Seasonal Depression in the fall of 1982, but it was not until January of 1992 that I was finally clinically diagnosed with SAD and began receiving treatment. Where I had found it difficult to live a normal life in the winter due to severe depression, from 1992 on through 2000 I received treatment which enabled me to participate in the workforce, and perform may of the other functions one would normally expect to be able to do.
Living in Vancouver, British Columbia, I was in a climate particularly difficult for people who suffer from SAD. Each year as the fall approached, with its long stretches of rain and gray cloud, I would feel the symptoms resume.
The treatment I received was partly in the form of light therapy. Each day during the winter I would sit in front of a light box for about a half an hour, and this provided me with enough light to keep functioning. I would still feel down in the fall and winter, but it was nowhere near as bad as without the light.
The most frustrating thing about SAD is that the depression is induced due to a biochemical imbalance in the brain that may have no connection to external circumstances (other than the lack of sunlight). In other words, everything can be going fine in a person's life, but when the fall comes a depression will occur regardless.
For years I thought I was just lazy. That if I could just motivate myself - maybe get more exercise, or get more focused - I would be able to get things accomplished. I didn't have the perspective on my situation to see that something else was going on, and that this depression varied with the seasons.
Ultimately, in my case, I was fortunate to have an opportunity to move to a sunnier climate. Once there, my seasonal symptoms were much less pronounced, and my overall health improved.
If you suspect that you or someone you love has SAD, speak to your physician, and mention that you think there may be a link to Seasonal Disorder. Although not all physicians are familiar with the disorder, they can direct you to someone who is.
Sunshine Hours
This may also be of interest - a listing of U.S. cities and how much sun they get - just in case you are thinking of moving there to get more sunshine:
Last updated on Tuesday, January 01, 2008
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