How to Live Life with Seasonal Affective Disorder

New England is already getting it's first snow storm and it just clicked with me that winter is already here. A bit early this year but nonetheless it's here to stay. With it, for many people, comes Seasonal Affective Disorder which is a mental disorder that affects mood. This should not be confused with "The Winter Blues" because with this illness comes symptoms of clinical depression, while the winter blues is more of a simple and non-permanent mood swing. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a serious problem for many people and in the rest of my hub, I hope to give people the treatments they can try as fall recedes to winter.

Let There Be Light

Light is known to help people with the SAD symptoms. The treatment is known as photo-therapy and is done in the morning and evening for the best results (Here's the source). These are not your everyday lights. Simply using your common light bulb in your house or apartment won't work like this treatment does, although it may help a bit. The light treatment tries to replicate the light you would receive from the sun on an average summer day. Moving temporarily to a warmer and brighter climate would also help, but for the average person this is not an option. Photo-therapy units are commercially available in the form of light boxes which can be used 30 minutes daily. Do some research and find out if this is something that could be useful for you.

Therapy

If your symptoms are getting out of hand look for help from your doctor. Visiting a therapist is also not a bad idea. There is certainly a negative connotation to any psychological help of this nature, however there is nothing to be ashamed of. SAD like any other illnesses is just that; an illness. And the problem with this depression like disorder is that it becomes a downward cycle. The symptoms involve negative shifts of mood which create more negative mood. Psychotherapy helps people unravel all compounded negative mental shifts (Check out the proof). Therapists can also give you more ways to cope with the disorder and manage the stress that comes with it.

Get Some Sun

Many research points to SAD as being caused by light changes that occur in the fall and winter months. So, it would certainly make sense to get some sun. The winter may be cold, but it might be worth the effort to bundle up and go for a quick midday walk. Even if it's only thirty minutes, it has been known to relieve symptoms of mild depression caused by SAD. At least try it out and see if works for you.

St. Johns Wort

For those interested in all natural herbal medicine this could be the method you try. Granted, the use of this substance to treat SAD has not be proved to work. But, the herb is known to enhance sensitivity to light which will help your body receive more natural sunlight. If this becomes the case then it might rule of light therapy in the future (Proof).

Try Something New

Has there been something that you wanted to try lately? Well, this is the perfect time to do it. Activities help people take their mind off their symptoms and are a useful and practical way to reduce the negative symptoms accompanied by SAD. If winter is just not your season then try a winter sport. This does not necessarily mean skiing and snowboarding. Try snowshoeing. It's just like walking but on snow; it's quite a blast. If outdoor things are not what you want for the winter than try an indoor activity. Everything from yoga to a new gym membership can help you manage the stress that comes from the disorder. Stay active and try to enjoy the months ahead.

Conclusion

No matter what, it's a good idea to visit your physician and let them know what's going on. They are in a position to help you the most. They can point you in the right direction, but know that there are treatments out there that may help. Do some research and try to learn as much as you can about Seasonal Affective Disorder. Knowledge is power and knowing what you're up against will only help your battle with SAD. There are support groups and make sure you remember that this has nothing to do about your ability to beat it. It, like other mental illnesses, is a chemical imbalance and is not your fault. People suffer from it every year, but on the up note modern medicine is fighting this disorder to help all those suffering from SAD to have a better year long experience.