SAD-When Recurring Sadness Gets Out of Control - written by Alan B. Densky, CH

Do you worry that your case of seasonal blues has lasted longer, or is more severe than you have previously experienced? How do you know whether this is just a short-term problem, or whether you possibly have an actual case of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD? Do you need to seek treatment from a physician? Learn about the signs of this condition, how this disorder affects sufferers, and what therapies are most useful.

SAD is not just experiencing sadness because winter is coming. SAD starts to develop when fall heads toward winter and daylight hours are shortened. Symptoms usually start at some point during late summer or early fall. Moreover, because of the severity and consequences of SAD and other types of depression, physicians require extensive evidence of the condition before they are willing to make a definite diagnosis. Even though signs can be very serious, physicians do not usually diagnose patients with this condition until after he or she shows strong evidence of the disorder for at least three winters in a row.

Those who are affected by this condition start to have feelings of sadness, reduced enthusiasm, and often sleep for excessive periods. They also report a craving for sugar or sweets. Additionally, the majority of persons diagnosed with SAD also have immune systems that do not function adequately. Often, they become ill much more easily than people who do not have SAD.

SAD can negatively affect a person's capability of functioning at work or at school. This decreased motivation can make getting out of bed or engaging in one's usual daily activities difficult. People with SAD find it difficult to participate in social encounters, or even at home. These persons often have episodes of intense anxiety and irritability. Sometimes, the problem becomes serious and disabling enough that victims even consider suicide and have to be hospitalized for therapy.

Interestingly, females seem to have a higher rate of SAD than men do. Additionally, this condition seems to get better yearly at springtime. Indeed, by March or April, symptoms usually subside or resolve completely - until the following autumn. This is true even in regions that tend to be cloudy or rainy throughout the entire year. In fact, as many as one-fifth of those who are treated for SAD will at some point exhibit signs of bipolar disorder.

These sufferers primarily tend to be depressed in the winter months, but report normal moods during the remainder of the year. At times, however, individuals report experiencing instances of unexpected mood elevation, also known as mania. As with other types of depression, this condition can become quite severe or even disabling if not treated properly. Moreover, some persons experience very low-grade forms of SAD; they may experience sleepiness, lack of motivation, and loss of appetite. These individuals, however, do not usually endure instances of depressed moods or anxiety.

This type of depression is relatively uncommon in sunny areas such as Florida, southern California, and even Colorado. Others, who live in states with many cloudy days, like Indiana, Michigan, or Oregon are at higher risk for developing this condition. Citizens of countries such as Denmark, Sweden, and Ireland also face an increased risk of SAD.

Scientists have attempted a number of alternative strategies to assist affected individuals overcome this exhausting problem. They have tried exposing people to artificial light in an attempt to assist them to produce more serotonin and relieve depression symptoms. Researchers have also used medicines such as antidepressants, as well as supplements, like melatonin, in an attempt to treat these signs of depression. Often, those who struggle with this condition also seek out psychotherapists when their condition is at its worst.

Each of these therapies result in with different degrees of success. Despite this, all are significantly more costly and time-intensive than two recently introduced, innovative techniques. Hypnotherapy practitioners have perfected the art of coaching clients to learn both NLP and hypnotherapy techniques for depression. Through the latter method, individuals learn to talk themselves out of a depressive period and resolve their symptoms. These innovative therapies, hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming, have resulting in an astonishing amount of benefit in assisting individuals to heal from, and prevent future occurrences of SAD.

Summary:Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that reappears every year at the same season. Only those who suffer from this illness are able to decide whether they wish to continue to fight the symptoms on their own, over and over, or to try to get help in resolving this problem forever. Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming to treat SAD are both helpful, innovative treatments that promise a quick escape from these feelings without consuming excessive amounts of money or energy.