Seasonal Affective Disorder

 

If you have lived in the Northwest for any period of time, you know that all this beautiful green nature around us comes at a price – rain. The dark, dreary days of winter here in Portland can often seem to stretch on for months. For some people, the lack of sunlight simply means another day indoors, but for others if can have a profound effect on their mood and their quality of life.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is when a person experiences increased depression that correspond to the seasons, most frequently with the onset of depressive symptoms occurring during the late fall or early winter months and subsiding in the spring or summer.

Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder

The following are the most common symptoms of SAD, though individual patterns vary. Symptoms may include:

• increased sleep and daytime drowsiness
• irritability
• fatigue, or low energy level
• decreased sex drive
• diminished concentration
• difficulty thinking clearly
• increased appetite, especially for sweets and carbohydrates causing weight gain

Treatment

Fortunately, relocating to Florida is not the only answer. Oregon has been a leader in the research on Seasonal Affective Disorder and there is strong empirical support for the effectiveness of making environmental and behavioral changes including the use of a light box, dawn simulators, and other behavioral interventions. If the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder are taking a toll on your life, the therapists at the Portland Mood Disorders Clinic can work with you to make the winter months less dreary and daunting. Call us at 503-281-4852 to set up a consultation to see if we can help.

Online resources

Center for Environmental Therapeutics has some great background information about SAD and the most effective treatment - light therapy. The website also has some a really good self assessments to help you determine whether you have SAD. If you want someone to help you implement a light therapy plan or are having problems sticking with a plan you have made for yourself, we are experienced in helping people get going and can help you to implement light therapy in the winter months.

A good dealer of light therapy devices is Philips Electronics, where you can get light boxes and dawn simulators.

The Harvard Mental Health Letter published a review and video about the use of light therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Among other things, they advise against using blue light devices until they are more proven and also recommend against light visors or headgear that claim to be effective.

Dr. Luoma in the news. The Woodburn Independent recently did a story about SAD in the Portland area.