Is There a Cure for Sad?

Come winter, and people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) want to go into hibernation and bury themselves in some deep dark tunnel. Their anxiety increases as soon as they see summer’s coming to an end. Sadly, SAD returns every winter, and there is no way to cure it for good. However, there are many ways in which its symptoms can be alleviated and controlled.

The most commonly used therapy for SAD patients is the light therapy. There are two types of light therapies:

1)      Bright light treatment; and

2)      Dawn simulation.

In Bright Light Treatment, the patient is required to sit in front of a source of a bright light (usually using a ‘light box’) for a certain amount of time every day. Dawn simulation is a technique in which the brightness of light gradually builds up in the morning while a person sleeps. These are effective in reducing depression from SAD, but depression returns as soon as these are discontinued. So, the use of light therapy should be continued for the whole winter, or until seasonal depression subsides.

Along with light therapy, some physicians may prescribe antidepressant medication to a patient. Most commonly used antidepressants for this purpose are: flouxitine, paroxetine, citalopram, bupropion and desipramine. Caution should be taken while using antidepressants as they may cause dependence which may lead to their abuse by the patient throughout the year. Also, the amounts given should be gradually built up and should not be abruptly stopped, but rather reduced over some time to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Patients with SAD should also consider joining support groups and counselling. These would help them cope better with their situation and is of two types: cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. It is also beneficial to involve the patient’s family in counseling, so that they know how to deal with the patient and are more understanding and compassionate towards their problem.

Acupuncture is also emerging as a way of treating SAD. Lifestyle changes may also help in alleviating SAD symptoms. For instance, incorporating a physical exercise routine into your daily life, watching what you eat and adjusting your sleeping pattern can help. Obesity and overconsumption of carbohydrate-rich foods may enhance the symptoms of SAD, so a patient should watch their weight and also what passes their palate. Patients should make the most of daylight hours by getting up earlier in the morning and going to bed earlier.

Patients diagnosed with SAD should also be kept happy. Avoid confronting them with unhappy thoughts or experiences. The patients should also try to organise a busy routine for their winters, so that they have less time for obsessing over their blues. Such people should also try to do most of their work near windows that let in plenty of sunlight. Exercise also releases ‘feel-good’ hormones in the body that help to reduce the depression to a certain extent. It has also been shown that SAD sufferers are less prone to depression if their surroundings are painted in light colours.