The Winter Blues? SAD But True

Now that the holidays have arrived and winter is just around the corner for most of us we are filled with thoughts of joy and fellowship, gala events and cheer. For others it is a season of sadness. As the holidays approach my thoughts turn to the joys I will no longer share. Loved ones long gone and recently passed both weigh heavily upon my heart. Mine is a real, authentic, clinical depression that lasts through the holidays that abates with the coming of spring and summer seasons when there is greater exposure to longer hours of daylight. This type of depression is called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD for short.

Several years ago I was talking with a friend in Toledo, OH and they informed me that during the winter months Toledo’s population suffer from depression more than anywhere else in the USA. This onslaught of depression results in more suicides during these ‘dark days’.

Recent findings are much better for Toledo than when I first received this information. Toledo is now listed as 29^{th in a list of 101 of the least depressed cities in the USA as reported in April 2005 Issue of Men’s Health and earning them a B- rating. The top of this list, least depressed, garnering an “A+” rating in order are:}

Laredo, TX

El Paso, TX

Jersey City, NJ

Corpus Christi, TX

At the opposite spectrum, earning an “F” are in order of best to worst:

Cleveland, OH

(tie) Mesa, AZ

(tie) Phoenix, AZ

(tie) Scottsdale, AZ

Indianapolis, IN

Tampa, FL

St. Louis, MO

St. Petersburg, FL

Detroit, MI

Philadelphia, PA

Even more disturbing are the rates reporting the highest numbers in the world. The ‘winner’ of this disastrous award is Japan. Dire statistics show that in the years since 1998, Japan’s suicide numbers have topped the 30000 mark annually.

As cute as you might think that acronym is, it is a very real problem for 10 to 20 percent of the U.S. population. Actual numbers report that 3 out of 4 sufferers are found to be women although single men have a high tendency to suffer these bouts as well. It is believed that reduced exposure to light during the darker months disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm—that is, our internal body clock—leading to disturbances in sleep patterns, eating habits and mood. SAD has also been indicated in people who work day after day in windowless offices. This lack of light causes a deficiency in serotonin levels which can be seen in increased cravings for sugar and other carbohydrates, which in turn contributes to the SAD symptom of overeating.

To alleviate these symptoms it has been shown that a mere 30 minutes of exposure in the morning hours, rather than hiding in the shadows behind closed curtains is an acceptable and doable therapy for most SAD sufferers.

In June 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved Wellbutrin XL for treatment of SAD. The drug had previously been approved for major depression. However, before resorting to pharmaceutical approaches you may do better to begin with the more holistic approaches. Logically following our body’s need for healing some of these ‘treatments’ should include:

Exercise, which reduces stress and bolsters the immune system

Plan winter vacations to sunny climates

Engage in activities that bring you pleasure, such as reading novels, visiting friends and looking at happy family pictures

Meditate, focusing on your breathing for 15 minutes a day

Keep a journal to sort out bad feelings

Whatever you do, if you even think you might be suffering from any form of depression, tell someone. Whether you suffer from simple symptoms of anxiety, stress, or clinical depression such as SAD talking out your feelings can also help alleviate your symptoms. Seek help from a professional. Don’t just try to cope. There is no written rule that says you have to suffer in silence. Know that help is available if you will only seek it out.

ãCopyright 2006 Ginger Marks