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Seasonal Affective Disorder / SADSeasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is a common form of depression that is experienced during particular seasons of the year. SAD disorder is most often experienced during the autumn and winter seasons although there is a more recent pattern of the symptoms appearing in the spring and summer. SAD occurring in the autumn and winter are thought to be major depressive episodes brought on by the shorter span of daylight per day in those seasons. That reduction in daylight hours during the autumn and winter have been thought to disrupt the biological clock which in turn affects the circadian rhythms of the body. Spring and summer SAD depression episodes that are resolved in the autumn and winter are thought to be related to an abnormal regulation of melatonin secretions from the pineal gland. Natural alternatives and medication therapy are recommended. For example, one course of treatment for SAD episodes is sleep deprivation therapy. A more sustainable remission of symptoms result from light therapy or phototherapy where the person suffering from the symptoms of SAD is exposed to bright light for 3 or more hours per day in an attempt to prolong the photoperiod of the day. Cognitive therapy techniques are recommended along with the above therapy modes.
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