What Are The Symptoms Of SAD?

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Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a condition where a person suffers from a form of depression. The symptoms of SAD usually appear during the winter months and are also commonly known as getting the winter blues.

People can be affected by SAD in the following ways:

Become lethargic
Suffer pains in their joints and limbs
Feel deep despair and severe anxiety
Some people have suicidal feelings

Reasons SAD Can Occur

Extensive research has concluded that seasonal affective disorder is caused by the lack of serotonin getting to the brain. Serotonin is the natural chemical in the body that makes us feel happy. Without it the symptoms of SAD seem to appear. In order for serotonin to reach the brain effectively it needs light and due to the decreased amount of sunlight during the winter months, many people can be adversely affected.

How To Treat SAD

Here are three things that people who suffer from SAD can do in order to improve their situation:

Light therapy session
Healthy diet
Herbal remedies to treat SAD

Light Therapy Sessions

This has been recommended to many people and has been successful in creating a balance in their lives. Light therapy treatment is a very good way to expose the body to light in a controlled manner. If there is no natural sunlight you can stand in or sit in, you should consider investing in a portable light therapy box. If you consult your doctor they will be able to recommend the right light therapy box to use and let you know how long you should sit in front of it each day. The light should result in enabling the body to function normally and to lessen the amount of anxiety you feel.

Healthy Diet

During the winter months, people tend to eat more sugary and fatty foods. It is cold and dark so we have less enthusiasm to create healthy balanced meals. However if you are suffering from SAD, you should try and control the amount of snacks you eat. Try and limit it as much as you can. There have been studies that have shown that an increase in the foods containing omega 3 oil is very helpful for the condition. So as well as increasing the amount of fresh salad and vegetable you eat, you should try to add oily fish to your diet. Eat more sardines and mackerel.

Herbal Remedies To Treat SAD

There are several herbal remedies that you can use to treat SAD. One remedy you could try is St Johns Wort. It has been regularly used to treat depression so it could be the right choice for you. Always consult a doctor to find out the best course of action.

Alternative Uses For Light Therapy

Blue light therapy for skin care and blue light therapy treatment for acne are excellent treatments which use the light from a LED box to simulate the positive effects of the sun. If you do not suffer from SAD, you can still benefit from this type of treatment.