home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- $Unique_ID{BRK02077}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{How to Deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder or the "Winter Blues"}
- $Subject{SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder winter blues sunlight light boxes
- light deficiency depression depressed weary weariness}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- How to Deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder or the "Winter Blues"
-
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- QUESTION: The holidays are really over at our house. Not only are all the
- fun times past, but now each day drags, and I can't find the desire to get my
- chores done. It seems as though my husband is affected too, we are both
- grumpy, gloomy and glum. When we try to talk it out, my husband recalled that
- we seem to go through this every year at this time. Does this give you any
- clue that might lead you to an answer to our problem. You would be doing a
- great deal for the health of our marriage.
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: Your letter reflects the same concern expressed in many others in the
- mail bag these days, though it is the only one that speaks of it as a marital
- problem. It sounds like a double case of SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder,
- the scientific name for the winter blues. It is a type of depression that is
- seasonal, and occurs when there is less sunlight each day. It is more common
- in northern climes, affects women 4 times more frequently than men, and can be
- treated successfully. Some tips include keeping your house bright, taking a
- winter vacation in the sunny south, or working near a window. Light therapy
- using "light boxes" emitting specific wave lengths of light for correctly
- timed periods can be most useful. More information is available to you from
- NOSAD, P.O. Box 40133, Washington DC 20016, the nationwide support group for
- SAD sufferers.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-