Is It Winter Blues or SAD... Seasonal Affective Disorder?

I've noticed since we have moved to a sunny place recently (to Las Vegas), a difference in my moods these past few months. This seems to be a pattern with me... when we live in a sunny climate, I am in a better, happier mood than when we live where there are fewer days of sunshine.

When we lived in Wisconsin, especially the first year we were there, I noticed it right away. I think once the snow started flying on October 3rd that year, and continued until MAY, yep, that's when it started. I can joke about it now, but at the time, it was not funny. I tell people that I cried through my first year up in Wisconsin.

Now after doing some research, I believe that I suffered from a form of Seasonal Affective Disorder, also abbreviated as "S.A.D." The milder form of this disorder is called "Subsyndromal Seasonal Affective Disorder." Both of these are characterized by sleeping more, waking up later, increase in appetite, especially craving carbohydrates, weight gain, and lack of enjoyment from things that you previously enjoyed.

I had felt this at other times in my life, like when I first moved from Tacoma, Washington to Hawaii... I noticed big changes in my moods and outlook on life in general. I honestly believe it had to do with the many, many days of sunshine in Hawaii, compared to the bleak, rainy, overcast weather in Tacoma, Washington (outside of Seattle). No wonder people enjoy living in "Sunbelt" states! I looked at weather patterns for here in Las Vegas, and found out that there are approximately 300 days a year of sunshine here!

Seasonal Affective Disorder affects about 6% of the U.S. population in cold, northern states, and the milder form, called Sybsyndromal Seasonal Affective Disorder affects closer to 14% of people in those states. In the Nordic countries, it can be even higher, (as high as 9% for SAD and 25% for SSAD) In countries where there is a high intake of vitamin D (as in the mostly fish diet in Japan), the rates are not as high.

It is thought that this is caused by lack of sun, lack of light, and sometimes even the cold temperatures in the late fall and winter months.

One therapy that has been used and found to be effective is light therapy, where a person is exposed to bright light for a certain period of time each day, and there are light lamps sold that are used for this purpose. You should never look directly at the lamp, simply have it nearby so your eyes will see that there is more light in the room. Another effective therapy is a "sunrise" therapy also using lights, and simulating the rising of the sun earlier than it actually rises.

Cognitive behavioral therapies can be used in addition to light therapy, as well as the use of antidepressants to increase the amount of seratonin in the brain. For some people, the addition of melatonin therapy is helpful, but that should always be very closely monitored by a physician.

Perhaps one of the easiest things to try is using a lamp specifically made for the treatment of SAD. I wish now that I had tried that when I lived in these climates, instead of just "suffering" through it, and thinking that it was just "winter blues."

Sometimes it is just "easier" to dismiss these feelings and to make light of them, rather than to face them and actually get some help for them. I guess as I've gotten older I've gained some wisdom (at least I like to think that I have)... I feel now that life is too short to keep suffering through something that there is effective help available to make you feel better. So, if you do feel that you have "winter blues" or perhaps even SAD or SSAD, talk to your physician, you might be pleasantly surprised that there IS help available for you!