Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a disorders that can be treated. It is not serious, but it is advisable for people to be treated for it. People may feel they can live like they always have, but it is better to treat it due to the fact that it may interfere with a person’s social and working life.
Undoubtedly, everybody would feel better if they did not have SAD to cope with. Fighting SAD may be a problem, therefore it is necessary for a person to receive treatment.
Treatment is easy as SAD is a diagnosed disorder. Many studies concerning SAD have been carried out, and many options of treatments have been discovered. If one doesn’t want to use chemical methods, s/he may use therapy that does not involve the use of chemicals.
Other ways are: more exercises, adjustments to a person’s home environment.
Treatments for SAD include:
* Anti-depressants
* Phototherapy
* Exercise
* Modification of Environment
ANTI- DEPRESSANTS:
Anti-depressants constitute a chemical method of treating SAD. It works directly on the brain that is responsible for SAD, so the source of the problem is targeted. But anti-depressants may cause some side effects, therefore some patients may not be willing to take them.
Anti-depressants nullify the presence of Melatonin in the brain. This substance the cause of depression in people suffering from SAD. Moreover, this hormone is secreted in excess during SAD. It is an automatic secretion process of the Pineal gland in the brain in reply to dull light in winter period. This effect may be decreased by taking anti-depressants.
PHOTOTHERAPY:
Phototherapy is alternative option for people who experience side effects or don’t want to take anti-depressants. This method has also been successful in treating SAD.
Here, people are exposed to bright lights for some period everyday. Thanks to it they make up for the loss of light during the winter season. Exposure to bright light is perfectly in sync with the theory that animals respond to light, and human beings happen to have these instinctive traits.
EXERCISE:
Physical activity is also relevant. There are several reasons. First of all, it helps one liven up. Secondly, a person gets exposure to sunlight.
The exposure to sunlight when walking for an hour daily is helpful for people with SAD. However, perhaps it is the physical activity alone that stimulates better moods due to the exertion and the pumping of hormones in the blood stream.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATION:
This is also a good method of treatment. It may be unnecessary for the patient to start therapy or take any anti-depressants if s/he has a good environment at home. Such environment may be created by lighting up the house with brighter lights, using mirrors to enhance the effectiveness of light.
