IMG_seasonaldepression_850px_5-600x600.jpg' alt='Do I Have Seasonal Affective Disorder Quiz' title='Do I Have Seasonal Affective Disorder Quiz' />With seasonal affective disorder SAD, a persons depression becomes worse with certain seasons, usually winter. A person affected by SAD may have a low mood and be. Saeed SA, et al. Seasonal affective disorder. Specifiers for depressive disorders With seasonal pattern. This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of mental illness. Watch Yellowbird Online. There is only one right answer for each question. Please answer based on your existing knowledge of. Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD Topic Overview. What is seasonal affective disorder SAD Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that occurs during the same season each year. You may have SAD if you felt depressed during the last two winters but felt much better in spring and summer. Some people may have SAD during the summer months. Anyone can get SAD, but its more common in Women. People who live far from the equator, where winter daylight hours are very short. People between the ages of 1. The risk of getting SAD for the first time goes down as you age. People who have a close relative with SAD. SAD is sometimes called winter depression or seasonal depression. What causes SAD Experts arent sure what causes SAD. But they think it may be caused by a lack of sunlight. Do I Have Seasonal Affective Disorder Quiz' title='Do I Have Seasonal Affective Disorder Quiz' />Lack of light may What are the symptoms If you have SAD, you may Feel sad, grumpy, moody, or anxious. Lose interest in your usual activities. Eat more and crave carbohydrates, such as bread and pasta. Gain weight. Sleep more but still feel tired. Have trouble concentrating. Symptoms come and go at about the same time each year. Most people with SAD start to have symptoms in September or October and feel better by April or May. How is SAD diagnosed It can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between SAD and other types of depression because many of the symptoms are the same. To diagnose SAD, your doctor will ask if You have been depressed during the same season and have gotten better when the seasons changed for at least 2 years in a row. A close relative a parent, brother, or sister has had SAD. You may need to have blood tests to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as low thyroid hypothyroidism. Your doctor may also do a mental health assessment to get a better idea of how you feel and how well you are able to think, reason, and remember. Continued. How is it treated Light therapy is the main treatment for SAD. Medicines and counseling may also help. Light therapy. Experts think light therapy works by resetting your biological clock. It helps most people who have SAD, and its easy to use. There are two types of light therapy Bright light treatment. For this treatment, you place the light box at a certain distance from you on a desk or table. Then you sit in front of it while you read, eat breakfast, or work at a computer. For this treatment, a dim light goes on in the morning while you sleep, and it gets brighter over time, like a sunrise. Talk to your doctor about light therapy, and follow the steps that he or she recommends. Light boxes use fluorescent lights that are brighter than indoor lights but not as bright as sunlight. Ultraviolet lights, full spectrum lights, tanning lamps, and heat lamps should not be used. The amount of time depends on how strong the light is and on whether you are starting out or are have been using it for a while. You may start to feel better within a week or so after you start light therapy. But you need to stay with it and use it every day until the season changes. Watch Body Armour Online Forbes. If you dont, your depression could come back. Antidepressants. Antidepressant medicines may help people who have SAD. They may be used alone or with light therapy. The most common ones prescribed for SAD include If your doctor prescribes an antidepressant, be sure you take it the way youre told to. Do not stop taking it suddenly. This could cause side effects or make your depression worse. When you are ready to stop, your doctor can help you slowly reduce the dose to prevent problems. Continued. Counseling. Counseling may also help. Some types of counseling, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, can help you learn more about SAD, how to manage your symptoms, and how to help prevent future episodes. What can you do on your own to feel betterRegular exercise is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Getting more sunlight may help too, so try to get outside to exercise when the sun is shining. Being active during the daytime, especially early in the day, may help you have more energy and feel less depressed. Moderate exercise is safe for most people. But its always a good idea to talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program. Some people try complementary treatments to help with SAD. One example is melatonin, a hormone that may help regulate your biological clock. If you want to use melatonin or other complementary treatments, be sure to check with your doctor first. These medicines may interact with other treatments. Web. MD Medical Reference from Healthwise. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.