KeySolutions - EAP E-Zine
EAP Awarness Winter 2004
Are You S.A.D.?
Some people get the "Holiday Blues" because of social causes like sad memories, financial problems,
loneliness, too many obligations or having unrealistic expectations. Others develop depressive
symptoms during the winter months and then have a spontaneous recovery during the spring.
In contrast, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a subtype of a major depressive disorder with
seasonal patterns that appear to be more biological in origin rather than social. SAD appears to
occur about four times more often in women than men. It is estimated that about half of the women
with this disorder have premenstrual problems that worsen in the winter. Usually onset occurs in
the early 20's. A family history of mood disorder is also common. SAD also seems to correlate with
alcohol abuse or dependence in relatives. The depressive symptoms usually occur after the autumn
equinox and last about five months with the most difficult months being January and February.
Symptoms can include feeling sad, empty, tearful, fatigued, isolated, worthless with loss of interest
in usual activities, poor concentration, poor or excessive eating or sleeping, carbohydrate craving,
difficulty making decisions, decreased activity or restlessness, loss of interest in sexual activity,
thoughts of death or suicide.
A higher level mental health professional, primary care Physician or Psychiatrist, should make
diagnosis. Treatment includes phototherapy, anti-depressant medication or cognitive behavioral
therapy. Phototherapy is the manipulation of light during the winter to resemble the light patterns
of summer. The subject is given a prescription for a certain type of light bulb that provides a
light intensity of 2,500 LUX (LUX is a term used to measure the intensity of light hitting the eyes).
There are different kinds of light bulbs. Then the person is instructed to glance at the light for a
few seconds each minute for about two hours every morning. This process artificially lengthens the
duration of light during the day and the depressive symptoms are lessened. The phototherapy treatment
will probably need to be administered throughout the winter months. If you think about it, we all
need light and light impacts the emotions and moods of all of us.
To read the newsletter in its' entirety you may download the PDF file below. You will need the
free download Adobe Acrobat to view the file. A link has been provided for you to download
Acrobat below.
Winter Newsletter 2008 (24KB)
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