Seasonal Affective Disorder: The Controversial Mental Illness

  • 📰 WIREDScience
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 28 sec. here
  • 7 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 32%
  • Publisher: 55%

Health News

Seasonal Affective Disorder,SAD,Mental Illness

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mental illness that affects about 10 percent of people in northern latitudes. It is marked by low mood, carbohydrate cravings, and persistent fatigue. Despite its prevalence, the existence of SAD remains a point of contention.

It’s that time of year again. The clocks have gone back, it’s pitch black as you finish work, the cold, dark, dreary weather swoops in. And so do the memes about how depressed you’re going to be. As the days grow darker earlier in northern latitudes, an affliction takes hold. Not just run-of-the-mill discontent over darker evenings, but the makings of an actual mental illness. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD , is estimated to affect about 10 percent of people in northern latitudes.

It’s often marked by low mood, a craving for carbohydrates, and fatigue that persists despite sleeping too much, lasting throughout an entire season. Women are estimated to be about three times more vulnerable than men. A whole industry has blossomed to treat it with light therapy, and it’s even made it into the courtroom. But, despite affecting so many people, the very existence of SAD remains a point of contention. The condition was first described in 1984 in the journal JAMA Psychiatry by Norman Rosenthal, a South African psychiatrist

Seasonal Affective Disorder SAD Mental Illness Depression Light Therapy

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 385. in US

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Seasonal Affective Disorder: The Impact of Darker DaysFollowing the end of daylight saving time, many people experience a darker commute home, leading to a shift in mood. For about 5% of the U.S. population, this shift in mood is more severe and is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD comes with serious symptoms that can disrupt relationships, work life, and daily functioning. It is important for those experiencing SAD to seek professional help for treatment.
Source: USATODAYhealth - 🏆 706. / 51 Read more »

Clouds on Neptune Linked to Solar Cycle, Not Seasonal CycleAstronomers have discovered that the clouds in Neptune’s atmosphere are linked to the solar cycle rather than the planet’s cycle of seasons. The global cloud cover on Neptune appears to come and go in sync with the Sun’s 11-year cycle, despite the planet being so far from the Sun.
Source: universetoday - 🏆 297. / 63 Read more »

Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with VaccinesInfluenza (flu) is more likely to cause illness that results in hospitalization in pregnant people than in people of reproductive age who are not pregnant. Getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy can protect the pregnant person from flu and flu related hospitalizations. Flu vaccination during pregnancy also can protect babies for several months after birth against flu and flu-related hospitalizations because the pregnant parent passes antibodies on to the developing baby during pregnancy. People who get a flu vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding also develop antibodies against flu that they can share with their infants through their breast milk.
Source: womenshealth - 🏆 400. / 53 Read more »

CBS New York's Lonnie Quinn Calls for Seasonal Fall Days with SunshineCBS New York's Lonnie Quinn is calling for seasonal fall days on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with plenty of sunshine. The department will demonstrate the risks they pose during an event Wednesday at the FDNY training facility on Randall's Island. Rally held at Columbia University over suspension of pro-Palestinian groups. CBS New York previews Holiday Train Show, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The train show offers one place for people to marvel at many of the city's iconic landmarks, from its buildings to its bridges. It's one of our coldest mornings so far in the 30s and 20s. The afternoon will also be chilly, with increasing clouds and a stray shower N&E. Mostly sunny skies will prevail Saturday with temperatures in the low to mid 50s. But it'll feel more like the 40s with the breeze. Areas south of New York City may see some showers through early this afternoon, with highs in the low 50s.
Source: CBSNewYork - 🏆 268. / 63 Read more »

Study Explores Relationships in Borderline Personality DisorderA study conducted by Christian Moltu and his team explores how individuals with borderline personality disorder experience relationships with themselves and others. The study identified common struggles faced by 12 women with BPD and highlights the importance of understanding these relationships for diagnosis and treatment.
Source: PsychToday - 🏆 714. / 51 Read more »

Understanding Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)SPD is commonly misunderstood as a behavior problem, especially among family and friends who don’t understand its origins or symptoms. Here’s what they need to know about children with SPD.
Source: ADDitudeMag - 🏆 311. / 61 Read more »