Question 1

do the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder resemble the behavior of animals in the fall and winter?

Accepted Answer

Hibernation: With limited exposure to a certain waveband of light, it is believed that more melatonin is produced in the brain. This is the same chemical that induces hibernation in certain mammels.

Question 2

are tanning beds useful to help alleviate the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder?

Accepted Answer

Seasonal disorder: Light therapy is a way to treat seasonal affective disorder (sad) by exposure to artificial light. Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs at a certain time each year, usually in the fall or winter.The light from a light box mimics outdoor light. This is thought to cause a chemical change in the brain that lifts your mood. This is not the same light as a tanning bed.

Question 3

will full spectrum light bulb for a regular lamp ward off symptoms of seasonal affective disorder?

Accepted Answer

No: Using light therapy to tx sad is not that simple. The duration of time spent using a sad lamp, the time of day it is used, the consistency of use and a quality sad lamp are all critical factors in successfully using light to tx a seasonal depression.Check out http://northernlighttechnologies.Com/, a canadian company that has been around a long time.

Question 4

what are symptoms you get with seasonal affective disorder?

Accepted Answer

Depression seasonal: The concept of sad is that some people are highly sensitive to the amount of uv radiation--daylight.  When it goes below a certain threshold, they develop all the signs and symptoms of depression--down mood, decreased energy, sleep and appetitte changes, etc.  This can be occur far north (or south) of the equator or in climates with lots of overcast days.  Rx is a lightbox to lengthen uv exposure.

Question 5

does seasonal affective disorder usually cause many symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Sad is technically a variant of major depression, so has all the associated symptoms of depression but with a seasonal pattern. This is usually depression in winter months which correlates more with length of daylight more than temp. Less common is a reverse sad, worse in summer correlating with temp.  Many people have mild sad symptoms but don't meet criteria for full depression.

Question 6

what should i do when someone is having s a d seasonal affective disorder....???? can foods help? need medication or sunlight????

Accepted Answer

Sunlight or lights: that mimic sunlight (full spectrum lights) can help with SAD. It is something like other types of depression, since getting up and out (especially on sunnier days, even when they are cold) can help. I don't know of any foods that help. Alcohol can however hinder anyone who is depressed, since it is a depressant.

Question 7

what is seasonal affective disorder?

Accepted Answer

Depressed mood: Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs in the winter, when there is less natural light. It is sometimes treated with light boxes.

Question 8

how common is seasonal affective disorder?

Accepted Answer

Pretty Common: Depends on where you live & the amount of sunlight there.  One recent survey in toronto showed a 3 percent rate in the general population.

Question 9

i need help with seasonal affective disorder?

Accepted Answer

See your doctor: Please see your doctor for a referral to a psychiatrist. Have a full evaluation. Various treatments include phototherapy lights at a minimum of 10, 000 lx for at least one half hour the day. Wellbutrin (bupropion) has also been approved for seasonal affective disorder. An off label use is Inderal 40 mg taken between 5:30 and 6am daily. Best wishes.

Question 10

how can i cope with seasonal affective disorder?

Accepted Answer

Seek help: There are different options available to address seasonal affective disorder. These include the use of psychotherapy, a therapeutic light box and/or medication.  Exercise can also help depression. The best thing to do is talk to a mental health professional about te different options and how to implement them.

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Signs and symptoms of seasonal affective disorder

A member asked:

Do the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder resemble the behavior of animals in the fall and winter?

A member asked:

Are tanning beds useful to help alleviate the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder?

A member asked:

Will full spectrum light bulb for a regular lamp ward off symptoms of seasonal affective disorder?

A member asked:

What are symptoms you get with seasonal affective disorder?

A member asked:

Does seasonal affective disorder usually cause many symptoms?

A member asked:

What should i do when someone is having s a d seasonal affective disorder....???? can foods help? need medication or sunlight????

A member asked:

What is seasonal affective disorder?

A member asked:

How common is seasonal affective disorder?

A member asked:

I need help with seasonal affective disorder?

A member asked:

How can i cope with seasonal affective disorder?

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