Seasonal Affective Disorder...

Here in Wisconsin, there are many people suffering right now with the onslaught of their seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Thankfully, I'm not one of them. I've always loved the winter and the cold weather and even the darker nights. But I can see some of my staff starting to feel it. SAD is more than just a bad case of winter doldrums. SAD actually presents with the same symptoms as regular depression so it's difficult to treat appropriately unless the person gets through at least two cycles and their psychiatrist can see a clear pattern. Luckily, it's easy to treat and treatment is pretty much free since the best treatment is exposure to light.

Here in Kenosha, doctors who are treating people with SAD actually tell them to make time to spend at our local downtown library. I know that sounds weird but our downtown library, the Simmons Library, was designed with a dome that's glass and draws in the most sunlight in any one place in Wisconsin so sitting in the library and reading for a while does work! And it's free! And you might get smarter! lol Generally, psychs don't prescribe medications for SAD but rather prescribe light treatment (either natural or from a purchased light bank) and an increase in activity which boosts the natural endorphins in the system.

It's not always the winter that brings on SAD. There is also a Spring/Summer SAD that can affect some people. The symptoms are a bit different. Some of the symptoms of SS SAD are loss of sleep and increased sexual behavior. We tend to think of this as "spring fever" but it's really a psychological disorder with a name.

In the US, fewer than 2% of people in Florida experience or get diagnoses with SAD. Of course, it's the sunshine state so that explains that. In Wisconsin, more than 10% of people have SAD. You'd think this percentage would be higher in Scandinavian countries where they have only a few hours of dull daylight in the winter or no daylight at all the farther north you go. The truth is native Scandinavians have "evolved" over time. Their bodies and minds have adjusted so well to their climate that they are no longer genetically predisposed to SAD. A very interesting fact since I'm always wondering how I will adjust once I move to Sweden.