SAD - When Recurring Sadness Gets Out of Control

Seasonal Affective Disorder is more than just feeling "down" after summer has gone. This disorder starts to develop in autumn, when the season moves toward winter and the days become shorter. For most people, symptoms typically appear at some point between September and November. Furthermore, because of the severity and consequences of SAD and other types of depression, doctors require extensive evidence of the condition before they are willing to make a definite diagnosis. Although symptoms can be very severe, doctors do not usually diagnose a patient with SAD before he or she demonstrates symptoms for at least three consecutive winters.

Those who suffer from this disorder begin to have feelings of depression, reduced enthusiasm, and tend to sleep for excessive periods. Furthermore, they develop a dependence on sugar or sweets. In addition, the majority of persons who experience SAD also have poor immune system functioning. Often, they become ill much more easily than persons who do not suffer from SAD.

This disorder can seriously affect a person's capability of functioning at work or at school. This decreased motivation often makes getting out of bed or engaging in one’s usual daily activities difficult. Sufferers have trouble participating in social encounters, or even at home. They often have episodes of intense panic and irritability. Sometimes, symptoms become severe and disabling enough that some sufferers even think about suicide and have to be hospitalized for therapy.

Interestingly, females seem to have a higher rate of SAD than men do. Furthermore, this disorder usually improves yearly at springtime. Indeed, by March or April, symptoms usually decrease or disappear altogether - until autumn returns again. This is the case even in regions that are frequently dismal all year long. In fact, as many as twenty percent of those who are diagnosed with SAD will eventually develop symptoms of bipolar disorder.

These sufferers are usually depressed in the winter months, but report normal moods throughout the rest of the year. At times, however, people report experiencing instances of uncontrollable elation, also known as mania. As with other types of depression, SAD can become very serious and even disabling if not treated properly. Additionally, many individuals suffer from very low-grade forms of depression; they may struggle with sleepiness, decreased vigor, and eating difficulties. Such people, however, rarely suffer episodes of depressive moods or anxiety.

This kind of depression is relatively uncommon in sunny areas such as Florida, Arizona, and even Colorado. In contrast, people who reside in states with a large number of cloudy days, such as Ohio, Michigan, or Washington are at higher risk for developing this disorder. Residents of countries including Denmark, Sweden, and England also struggle with SAD.

Medical researchers have used a number of alternative approaches to assist clients overcome this debilitating condition. They have experimented with placing people under artificial light in an attempt to help them manufacture more serotonin and relieve depression symptoms. Scientists have also tried medicines such as antidepressants, and supplements, such as melatonin, in an attempt to treat these signs of depression. Many people who develop Seasonal Affective Disorder also seek out counselors during those times when they are suffering most greatly.

All of these treatments have been used with varying amounts of success. Despite this, all are significantly more costly and time-intensive than two more recent, innovative methods. Hypnotherapy practitioners have perfected the art of coaching clients to learn both NLP and hypnotherapy strategies for depression. Using the latter method, clients learn to talk themselves out of a depressive period and resolve their symptoms. These useful therapies, hypnotherapy and NLP, have proven to have a phenomenal amount of success in assisting individuals to heal from, and prevent future problems with SAD.

Summary: Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of sadness that reappears each year at the same season. Only individuals who struggle with this illness are able to determine whether they will continue battling the symptoms alone, over and over, or to look for assistance in escaping the effects of this disorder forever. Hypnotherapy and NLP to treat seasonal depression are two beneficial, innovative treatments that promise a quick relief from these feelings without spending enormous resources in terms of money or energy.