Between family parties and braving shopping malls, the holidays are often a hectic time of the year. For most, it is a good sort of hectic, filled with smiles and happy memories. For others, however, the holidays are a hard time, filled with anxiety and tears. For many, who suffer from depression, anxiety, PTSD or grief, these feelings occur all the time. For others, however, these blues occur in the winter. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a well-recognized disorder that affects millions each year. While there is still no cure, effective treatments can help sufferers of Seasonal Affective Disorder continue living in spite of the disorder.
The first question to ask is “Do I have Seasonal Affective Disorder?” To answer this, you must first take an inventory of symptoms. In patients with SAD, symptoms begin in late October or early November and end in late March or early April. […]
