- Home |
- Intro |
- What they say |
- What you see |
- What's behind it |
- How we help |
- Next steps |
- Contact us
The Sound Learning Centre
Call us for
a free telephone consultation
020 – 8882 1060
Contact us
Select for quick navigation
Find out the underlying causes of learning, sensory, developmental and
emotional difficulties and what you can do
about it.
Outreach Programmes:
Scotland
Ireland
Middle East
Meet us and learn more about our work.
Our next Open House event in London is on Wednesday 17 September 2008 at 7.30 pm.
Please call us now to reserve your FREE place.
Our next SenseAbility course is on Thursday 25 September 2008.
Our next EASIE course is on Thursday 27 November 2008.
Please call us now to reserve your place.
Read our Newsletters
(in Adobe Reader PDF format)
Winter 2006
Spring/Summer 2006
Autumn 2006
or call us now for a
FREE printed copy.
Job Opportunities
The Sound Learning Centre
Call us for
a free telephone consultation
020 – 8882 1060
Contact us
The Sound Learning Centre
12 The Rise, London N13 5LE, England, tel: +44 (0)20 8882 1060, fax: +44 (0)20 8882 1040
e-mail: info@thesoundlearningcentre.co.uk, website: www.thesoundlearningcentre.co.uk
copyright 1994-2007
"Helping children and adults with learning and sensory difficulties improve their performance"
You are here: Home / Intro / What they say / Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
What they say
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
“There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy
the interval”
George Santayana
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also called ‘winter depression’ or ‘winter blues’ is a type of depression that occurs in the winter, between September and April in the Northern Hemisphere. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the brain due to the shortened hours of daylight and the lack of sunshine during the winter.
The 6th century Goth scholar Jordanes first described it related to the inhabitants of Scandza (Scandinavia). It is estimated that about 20% of all Swedes are affected, and it seems to be hereditary. Most SAD sufferers experience normal mental health throughout most of the year, but experience depressive symptoms in the winter. SAD is rare in the tropics, but is significant at latitudes of 30° and higher. In the U.K. it is estimated that up to 10 % of the population is affected to some extend.
Some signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder include:
 |
Sleep problems; |
|
|
Lethargy; |
|
|
Anxiety; |
|
|
Mood changes; |
|
|
Depression; |
|
|
Overeating, weight gain or eating disorders; |
|
|
Social problems; |
|
|
Loss of libido. |
Like depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder is a serious, disabling disorder that prevents people from functioning normally. Unlike depression, the SAD symptoms disappear in the Spring or early Summer.
Many people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder will find some relieve from the symptoms by looking at a bright light for between 20 minutes and one hour each day, using a ‘light box’. This, however, has to be repeated each day for up to eight month of the year. In alternative to this time-consuming ritual is to open up the Visual Fields of Awareness, allowing more light to reach the eyes in a natural way, which is a more effective and longer lasting way to ensure improved health. Lightwave Stimulation (LWS) light therapy is an acknowledged method to achieve this.
Worries over 'winter blues' / SAD on BBC Television News video clip.
Explore further
Other areas on this website to explore in relation to Seasonal Affective Disorder are:
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You will find guidance on what to do next in the Next steps section.
We offer a confidential, no obligation, free telephone consultation – simply call us on 020 – 8882 1060.