Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a condition which occurs cyclically and is usually at its most severe during the darker days of late fall and winter. Although it is possible to suffer from Seasonal affective disorder at the beginning of spring and summer rather than the gloomier seasons of the year, it is not typical of patients with this psychological problem. People who suffer from this type of depression can find excellent care at a seasonal affective disorder center.
When seasonal affective disorder presents during the fall and winter, it is often accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Less desire for social interaction
- Moodiness and dejection
- Fatigue and inactivity
- Sleeping excessively
- Food cravings
- Added pounds
- Inability to process and remember information
Spring or summer onset of seasonal affective disorder is a bit different. With this cycle of seasonal affective disorder, people experience the following indicators:
- Extreme agitation
- Inability to fall asleep
- Nervousness
- Dropped pounds without effort
- Lack of appetite
- Increased sexual desire
A seasonal affective disorder clinic is specially equipped to deal with clients with both of these seasonal patterns. Once a client is enrolled in a seasonal affective disorder clinic, he or she will be evaluated by professionals who are knowledgeable about the latest research concerning this life-altering condition. A few of the therapies which have shown the most promise in seasonal affective disorder treatment are the following:
- Phototherapy or light therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Prescription drug therapy
The simplest, and one of the most effective, treatments offered at a seasonal affective disorder clinic is light therapy. Clients undergoing this type of therapy are exposed to a special light for a prescribed period of time each day. The light affects the brain chemicals, improving mood and alleviating many of the other symptoms of SAD. The light used in this type of therapy is extremely important. The light box should contain either a full-spectrum light or a fluorescent bulb which has a filter for preventing ultra violet rays from reaching the skin and eyes. Light therapy should always be monitored by a professional to ensure that progress is being made. It is also important to follow all of the safety precautions given during light therapy treatment.
If light therapy alone fails to cause an improvement, doctors at a seasonal affective disorder clinic may use it in conjunction with some form of medication and psychotherapy. Common drugs used in seasonal affective disorder treatment include Bupropion, Zoloft, Paxil, Effexor, Sarafem, and Prozac. The staff at seasonal affective disorder treatment clinics uses psychotherapy to help clients learn to recognize negative thought patterns. Pessimistic thoughts can add to the effect of this disorder so learning to manage this behavior can greatly enhance the probability of a successful recovery.
Seasonal affective disorder can be disruptive to clients and their families, but once light therapy has been used to bring the condition under control, counseling can usually put everyone back on the right track.
