Title: Light Up Your Life: Seasonal Affective Disorder Author: Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW Email: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.com copyright: by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW Web Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.com Word Count: 1057 Category: DEPRESSION - SEASONAL

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE: SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

Ah yes, you can just now begin to feel cold bite in air during mornings and evenings. Soon leaves will turn all sorts of brilliant colors. The autumn season is on it's way. I love fall. It's my favorite season of year.

Unfortunately, for many who suffer from a disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), dread of upcoming change in seasons is growing.

I am writing this late summer article for those of you who struggle with seasonal depression, or have wondered if you might. I am writing now, before onset of fall season, because I want for you to be proactive before this problem gains a foothold in your life.

The research is unclear about average percentage of population that suffers from seasonal affective disorder. There has been substantial studies of those with depression, bipolar disorder and atypical depression, which show that 60% or more with these particular diagnoses have additional elevations in depression symptoms during fall and winter seasons.

We've all heard term "biological clock." We are now somewhat sure of exactly where this resides in brain. One responsibility of our biological clock is to measure amount of light that comes through our retinas. Then our nervous system communicates this information to Pineal Gland. The Pineal Gland is responsible for producing Melatonin. The more light that comes through, less Melatonin that is produced. In fall and winter, when daylight hours are much fewer, Pineal Gland produces much more Melatonin.

Ironically, Melatonin is a hormone known to have many positive benefits for us. It is prescribed for insomnia, helps with jet lag, improves immune function and is an antioxidant. The bad news for those of you who suffer from SAD is that it seems Melatonin is culprit.

The symptoms for Seasonal Affective Disorder include, but are not limited to following list:

1. Excessive eating 2. Weight gain 3. Depression 4. Excessive sleeping 5. Decreased physical activity; much more sedentary 6. Increased levels of fatigue 7. Unclear or sluggish ability to think 8. Feeling slowed down physically and mentally 9. Previous history of elevated depression in fall/winter 10. Strong cravings for sweets and starchy foods

Now, if some of this sounds familiar to you, and you're sure you do not struggle with seasonal depression it's because we all slow down some in winter. We're biologically built to go into a sort of natural hibernation mode. The difference is when symptoms listed above significantly impair several of your important life areas, such as family, social and work productivity in such a way that you are much less functional.

I watched a video this week, film was 'Deep Impact'. It's about an asteroid on a collision path with Earth, and our efforts to avert disaster.

If it hit, it would make a, wait for it, deep impact! You've got to hand to those Hollywood types, haven't you!

It came out in 1998, same year as 'Armageddon', a film about an asteroid on a collision path with Earth, and our efforts...well you know rest.

I like both films, it's tough to choose between them.

'Armageddon' does have Liv Tyler, and fantastic Diane Warren song by Aerosmith, 'I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing'.

On other hand, 'Deep Impact' has Tea Leoni, who could focus my telescope any day of week.

If you haven't seen films, look away now, because. in 'Armageddon' they stop asteroid, but in 'Deep Impact' they don't.

Ok, you can look back now. Hhhm, not sure that works.

Back to real life, and in fact, in outer reaches of our universe, they have spotted a little critter of an asteroid, which seems to be heading our way. It's a few hundred years away, but plans have already been investigated as to what to do.

Landing on it? Er, I don't think so.