Healthy Living with Dr. Hall: When The Winter Blues are Something More
SummaryThere is such a thing as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is a form of clinical depression associated with seasonal variations. Though they only manifest during specific seasons of the year, SAD symptoms are similar to those of Major Depressive Disorder. Usually, symptoms start in October or November, which is mid-late fall, and continue until March or April, which is early spring. February usually sees the height of the symptoms. Because there are less daylight hours in the winter, people who live in higher latitudes and/or altitudes are more prone to SAD.
ReasonsThe circadian Our body's innate, natural clock is called rhythm. The length of daylight affects this 24-hour cycle, which might exacerbate symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Our brains' hypothalamus is responsib...