With the start of the warm weather and all the amazing fun
in the sun I enjoyed over this Memorial Day weekend, I realized how amazing
being outside in the sun makes me feel.
With that realization, I thought that a blog about Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD) would be appropriate.
SAD is something that I do suffer from but not to a very
large extent, there are others that suffer from it much worse than I do.
What is Seasonal
Affective Disorder?
SAD is a depression that occurs in the fall and winter. SAD is caused by the lack of sunlight found
during the winter months due to the shortened days. This lack of sunlight is believed to increase
the body’s production of melatonin. This
increase in melatonin causes some symptoms of depression. Symptoms of this disorder include: tiredness,
fatigue, depression, crying spells, irritability, trouble concentrating, body aches,
loss of sex drive, poor sleep, decreased activity level and overeating which is
associated with weight gain. Basically,
it includes many of the symptoms of depression. Symptoms typically begin in the fall and end
in the spring.
This disorder is said to occur in 5% of adults with up to
20% of individuals having some symptoms of the disorder but not enough to meet
the diagnostic criteria. Seasonal
Affective Disorder is four times more common in women than in men and the
average age of onset is 23.
Light therapy is a popular treatment for individuals
experiencing severe Seasonal Affective Disorder. Light therapy uses artificial indoor lighting-
such as a light box- which creates light of far more intensity than say a
living room lamp. Scientists say that it
is not the type of light (i.e. artificial vs. natural sunlight). It is however, the amount and intensity of the
light. Researchers have found that bright lights change the chemicals in the
brain, how is not yet known. Medication, diet changes, psychotherapy, new
coping mechanisms and even a vacation to someplace warm and sunny are other
forms of treatment.
How does warm weather
affect mood?
On the reverse end of things, how does the warm weather
affect mood? Warm weather is said to
boost the mood. Researchers at the
University of Michigan recommend spending at least 30 minutes outside on days
that are warm and sunny in order to see an improved mood. They also found that spending all of your
time inside when the weather is sunny and enjoyable outside actually resulted
in a decreased mood.
How does the weather
affect me?
The winter months definitely have an effect on me and my
symptoms. I tend to become more
depressed in the winter- have trouble getting out of bed, easily cry,
irritable, etc. This winter was a
completely different story because I was experiencing symptoms of mania for
other reasons and required a medication change. However- typically the winter
means I will experience some sort of depression. I have to push myself a lot harder in the
winter.
The warm weather works wonders for me. It puts me in such a better overall
mood. Being outside in the sun feels so
great and so refreshing to me. I love
the spring and I love the summer, I love how great the sunlight makes me feel.
So what am I saying?
It’s warm! It’s sunny!
Get out there and enjoy the warm weather. Whether you have a psychiatric diagnosis or
not- that doesn’t matter! Everyone can benefit from the warm and sunny weather!
However, stay safe!
Don’t stay out in extreme heat for too long! Drink lots of water when
you are out in the sun and wear sunscreen!
For those of you on psychotropic medications like myself-
especially anti-psychotics, take special notice of your body’s reaction to the
heat. Those medications make our bodies
less capable of regulating our body temperature. Therefore you must pay special attention to
the signs your body is giving you and drink plenty of fluids. Drink twice as many fluids as your friends
and family that are not on psychotropic medications. The medications also make our skin
more sensitive to the sun which results in an easier sunburn- so wear sunblock,
please!
So what are you waiting for?
Get out there and enjoy the warm weather and your improved upon mood!
“Be who you are and
say what you feel, because those that mind don’t matter, and those that matter
don’t mind” –Dr. Seuss
Thanks for reading! Until next time…
-Kissing Stigma Goodbye-
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