Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression characterized by a pattern of episodes tied to changes of season. Research indicates that SAD is caused by variation in the length of daylight, which affects levels of the neurotransmitter, Serotonin, in the brain. Found here are resources relating to symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Bah, Humbug!
Struggling with a depressive episode, Guide Marcia now has to cope with the additional downers of SAD and holiday blues, creating deep depression and dysphoria. She finds some answers in this story.
Struggling with a depressive episode, Guide Marcia now has to cope with the additional downers of SAD and holiday blues, creating deep depression and dysphoria. She finds some answers in this story.
Light On Winter Darkness
Series written by Columbia University clinical researchers Michael Terman and Jamie Rifkin This also looks at light therapy for nonseasonal disorders.
Series written by Columbia University clinical researchers Michael Terman and Jamie Rifkin This also looks at light therapy for nonseasonal disorders.
SAD - Real and Treatable
Useful article from the female perspective by Tracee Cornforth, About.com Guide to Women's Health.
Useful article from the female perspective by Tracee Cornforth, About.com Guide to Women's Health.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Article from About.com's Guide to Healing, Phylameana lila Desy, includes some sobering statistics.
Article from About.com's Guide to Healing, Phylameana lila Desy, includes some sobering statistics.
Winter Moods
Kim's own article on Seasonal Affective Disorder includes a list of symptoms that might help your sense of humor cope with them.
Kim's own article on Seasonal Affective Disorder includes a list of symptoms that might help your sense of humor cope with them.
alt.support.depression.seasonal
USENET support newsgroup for Seasonal Affective Disorder.
USENET support newsgroup for Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Depression and the Holidays
Sound suggestions for dealing with December stress.
Sound suggestions for dealing with December stress.
Heather's Page on SAD
Heather has had SAD for 26 years. She acts as a demonstrator for Outside In in the York (England) area. This is based on an article she wrote for her local TV station.
Heather has had SAD for 26 years. She acts as a demonstrator for Outside In in the York (England) area. This is based on an article she wrote for her local TV station.
Outside in Information about SAD
Very clear information on symptoms, causes and treatments.
Very clear information on symptoms, causes and treatments.
Self-Assessment for SAD
Click on "Online, Free Self-Assessments" at bottom. You can participate in their study or choose to use the assessment tools for personal use only.
Click on "Online, Free Self-Assessments" at bottom. You can participate in their study or choose to use the assessment tools for personal use only.
Q&A on Bright Light Therapy
Seventeen questions answered by the Columbia University Clinical Chronobiology Group.
Seventeen questions answered by the Columbia University Clinical Chronobiology Group.
SAD Case Descriptions
Perhaps these will help you evaluate your symptoms before you discuss them with a doctor.
Perhaps these will help you evaluate your symptoms before you discuss them with a doctor.
SAD Information Page
If after reading this page, and if you live in the metropolitan NY/NJ/CT area, you can ask to participate in a research study on SAD.
If after reading this page, and if you live in the metropolitan NY/NJ/CT area, you can ask to participate in a research study on SAD.
soc.support.depression.seasonal
USENET newsgroup for support for SAD.
USENET newsgroup for support for SAD.
Summer Sun for Winter Blues
Excellent article about the neurotransmitter connection in S.A.D. and what you can do, from CNN.
Excellent article about the neurotransmitter connection in S.A.D. and what you can do, from CNN.
Symptom Scoring Table
This is designed to help you evaluate whether light therapy is working, and should not be used for self-diagnosis without talking to a doctor.
This is designed to help you evaluate whether light therapy is working, and should not be used for self-diagnosis without talking to a doctor.
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Information about symptoms and light therapy from an author in Canada, where S.A.D. affects as much as 25% of the population.
Information about symptoms and light therapy from an author in Canada, where S.A.D. affects as much as 25% of the population.
Why SAD Happens
Discusses the theories surrounding the pineal gland, melatonin, and serotonin.
Discusses the theories surrounding the pineal gland, melatonin, and serotonin.