As the seasons change in New England, most of us adjust to changes in the weather and the length of daylight. It is somewhat noticeable as we change our clocks each spring and fall for daylight savings time. The big change comes though on dark mornings when we arise before the sun comes up and put on our house lights before the evening meal. Thanksgiving marks the final descent to the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) refers to people who are affected by the decreased light and become depressed. This is more than the winter blues, SAD occurs at the same time each year and ends as springtime approaches. It is particularly noticeable because it also coincides with the holiday season – the time for sharing love and gifts, warmth, socializing and joy with our family and friends. For those persons suffering with seasonal affective disorder, it becomes a time of depression so severe that it may require medical intervention, therapy or hospitalization.

Some of the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder are:

• Sleep Problems - oversleeping but not awakening refreshed, unable to get out of bed, needing a nap in the afternoon
• Overeating - a carbohydrate craving leading to overweight
• Depression - feelings of despair, misery, guilt, anxiety, or hopelessness; normal tasks become frustratingly difficult
• Family Problems - avoiding company, unreliability, loss of feeling, loss of libido
• Lethargy - just too tired to cope, everything is an effort
• Physical Symptoms - joint pain or stomach problems, lowered resistance to infection
• Behavioral Problems - especially in young people
• Regular Symptoms of Depression - sad, anxious, empty moods; decreased energy and interest during the fall and winter months.

About 2% of the people in Northern Europe suffer from severe symptoms of SAD and another 10% complain of milder symptoms. Distance from the equator increases the incidence of SAD (except that it is less common where there is snow on the ground). SAD affects more women than men and also a small number of children and adolescents. It is caused by the loss of bright light during the winter season. Researchers have proven that bright light makes a difference to the brain chemistry.

Since the cause is a lack of bright light, the treatment is to receive light therapy under the direction of a skilled health professional. As a substantial amount of light is needed for effective treatment, the amount of light and the distance from the eyes must be carefully controlled to prevent eye damage. Travelling to a brightly lit area, whether skiing or a warmer climate can relieve the disorder.

The nerve centers in our brains that control our daily rhythms and moods are stimulated by the amount of light entering the eyes. At night the pineal gland is stimulated to produce a substance called melatonin which causes drowsiness; and in the daytime, the bright light causes the gland to stop producing melatonin. During the winter, when we spend much of our time indoors, there may not be enough light to trigger this waking-up process. As we approach the winter solstice and the daylight hours grow shorter, melatonin is released into the body. As the daylight increases in the spring, this melatonin production is suppressed.

Here are some ideas that may help to reduce the impact of Seasonal Affective Disorder: take note of your moods and energy levels; try to stay active all year round; plan activities for yourself before the seasonal change occurs. If you still experience symptoms of SAD, consult your health care professional for assistance. If you would like additional information, write to : Seasonal Studies Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Building 10 Room 4S-239, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda MD 20892 or telephone (301) 496-2141.