Rolanda Perkins

December is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month –  SAD  is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons. Last week I shared information about the  signs & symptoms  of  SAD .   This week I’m sharing about the  CAUSES & RISK FACTORS  of SAD :  The specific   cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder remains unknown. Some factors that may come into play include: ·          Your biological clock (circadian rhythm).  The reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause winter-onset SAD. This decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body's internal clock and lead to feelings of depression. ·          Serotonin levels.  A drop in serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that affects mood, might play a role in SAD. Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin which may trigger depression. ·          Melatonin levels.  The change in season can disrupt the balance of the body's level of melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood

December is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month –  SAD  is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons. In last week’s post, I presented an overview of the disorder referred to as  SAD . This week, I want to share with you the  signs & symptoms of SAD . In most cases,  seasonal affective disorder  symptoms appear during late fall or early winter and go away during the sunnier days of spring and summer. Less commonly, people with the opposite pattern have symptoms that begin in spring or summer. In either case, symptoms may start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses. Signs and symptoms of SAD may include : ·          Feeling listless, sad, or down most of the day, nearly every day ·          Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed ·          Having low energy and feeling sluggish ·          Having problems with sleeping too much ·          Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating, and weight gain ·          Having diff

  December is  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month   What’s the meaning of the word, ‘ SAD ’? A few definitions from the dictionary define it as follows:  -affected by unhappiness or grief; sorrowful or mournful -expressive of or characterized by sorrow -causing sorrow: -(of color) somber, dark, or dull; drab -deplorably bad   D id you know there’s a ‘thing’ called:  SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER , or ( SAD )?  It’s  a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons.   SAD  begins and ends at about the same times every year. If you're like most people with  SAD,  your symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. These symptoms often resolve during the spring and summer months. Less often, SAD causes depression in the spring or early summer and resolves during the fall or winter months. Treatment for  SAD  may include light therapy (phototherapy), psychotherapy, and medications. Don't brush