Seasonal Affective Disorder Testing

Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is a mood disorder that occurs during the fall and winter months as exposure to sunlight begins to reduce. Sunlight not only assists the body in producing Vitamin D, which assists in calcium absorption, it also helps the body to produce endorphins that elevate our mood and provide a sense of vitality and well being. This is a common disorder and affects approximately 10 to 20 percent of the population in the United States.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of SAD include depression, irritability, withdrawal from social activity, oversleeping or inability to sleep, changes in the appetite and cravings for sweets, starches and carbohydrates, which often results in weight gain.

Identification

• The first signs are a drastic decrease in energy and a general depressive mood. This is generally followed by a change in appetite and cravings for sweeter foods, carbohydrates and starches.

Result

• The lack of sunlight and change in diet to foods that are harder for the body to use and digest results in a more consistently depressed mood, irritability, fatigue and anti-social behaviors, which ultimately allows the disorder to over take in the colder months.

Testing

• Doctors will test if you have SAD by ordering blood tests to check for other conditions that may be causing the depression. A mental health assessment will be done which may also involve blood and urine testing as well as written and verbal tests. He will check on your medical history and ask a series of questions regarding your energy levels, sleeping and eating habits. These will determine whether SAD is the cause of the depression.

Considerations

• If you suspect you are suffering from SAD, take note of your eating and sleeping patterns during fall and winter months, checking for changes and being aware of any decrease in your energy levels. Changes may include oversleeping or the inability to sleep as well as weight gain during colder months.

Prevention

• If you feel you may suffer from SAD, increase your exposure to sunlight during those months and make sure you are getting daily exercise, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water.