|
 For many years, individuals and professionals alike have turned to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) as reason enough for mood changes with the fluctuating seasons. However, there has been controversy over whether SAD exists. Research has been conducted to prove the theory that people are simply over-exaggerating their symptoms; in addition, it is suggested that the studies supporting SAD resulted in inaccurate and problematic research.
As noted in a 2013 post from The Telegraph, researchers, led by Dr. David Kerr of Oregon State University, confirmed that SAD is far less common than people think. However, with its increased societal awareness — and simply the fact that people are unhappy about having to bundle up when the air gets chilly — the disorder in and of itself is being greatly overstated. David Kerr and his team reviewed past experiments and their inaccuracies in determining cases of SAD. In one study of around 800 people, ninety two percent of the group determined a lack of appetite and sleeplessness. Although the affected individuals reported seasonal changes in mood from depressive symptoms over a number of years, Kerr and his crew later discovered that these depressive symptoms occurred very little in the colder weather patterns. Kerr stresses the importance of not taking this disorder lightly; he is quick to state that there are varying degrees of SAD and patients can be clinically diagnosed with it. That being said, with increased reports and the significance of a majority of people reporting it, there is a high likelihood that the human psyche is putting undue stress on itself.
Earlier this year, Scientific American posted a similar article on the skewed studies behind SAD. Megan Traffanstedt and Dr. LoBello, in collaboration with Dr. Sheila Mehta, uncovered the questions asked in studies of SAD over the years and realized that those same questions are used to screen for major depression. The inevitably skewed data, in combination with confirmation biases of SAD in test subjects and its seeming popularity in society, create false expectations for patients when self-diagnosing. Additionally, a 1998 US survey of 8000 people suggested that seasonal depression is exceedingly rare and, therefore, hard to detect and pin-point at the population level. Moreover, genuine cases of SAD in the U.S. drastically decreased when comparing our colder months with the winters of countries across the globe. As an example, Traffanstedt, LoBello, and Mehta referenced winters in Norway. There, residents have severely shortened daylight and have yet to report higher rates of SAD over the years. Aside from the lack of evidence proving SAD’s prevalence, the researchers don’t deny that SAD exists. Traffanstedt, LoBello, and Mehta simply suggest that SAD may be a mood disorder, since the malady shares little symptoms with depression overall.
To counteract the negative attention that SAD has received, Time opened up about the severity of seasonal affective disorder and reasons for the change in mood. In it, Dr. Teodor Postolache and Dr. Alex Korb waste no time in acknowledging that SAD is real. They go on to say that people feel sad and helpless due to the absence of light (in other studies, rates of SAD vary by latitude), causing “dyssynchrony” in the body’s sleep-wake cycles and internal clocks. In turn, there are inevitable imbalances in serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitter levels (i.e. appetite, energy, and trouble controlling mood). Not only this, but the modern, on-the-go lifestyles in which we inhabit further hinder people’s ability to cope with the seasonal changes. Korb and Postolache suggest that, like other creatures, we are meant to be much less active in winter in order to conserve energy for the coming months. That being said, Korb also suggests that lowered activity levels during winter months greatly affect our mood and stamina. The last — and possibly strongest — implication of SAD is the genetic and biological factors that follow the disease. Not only have researchers like Rosenthal found that seasonal affective disorder runs in families, but there is also a higher tendency for women to obtain it in their reproductive years.
If you began reading this believing—or now believe—that you may have SAD, there’s no need to worry. Korb and Rosenthal leave their readers with some tips to shake the blues away. Initially, try home remedies: light therapy helps more than people realize when it comes to depression of all forms (try sitting in front of a light or box fixture thirty minutes each morning). Overall, standing or sitting near windows with natural light greatly diffuses any stress that may be built up around you. Beyond the four walls, try exercising, socializing outdoors, or — if you can afford it — taking a vacation somewhere sunny. When worse comes to worst and your symptoms persist, do not hesitate to see a doctor, take a prescription, or attend cognitive behavioral therapy.
And now I turn to you, readers — do you believe SAD is real? Have you ever known anyone — or have you yourself — had to deal with seasonal affective disorder? Provide me with your insight and reasons in the comments below.
References
Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/study-finds-seasonal-affective-disorder-doesn-t-exist/
The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/10272346/Seasonal-affective-disorder-is-over-exaggerated.html
Time: http://time.com/4243319/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad-light-therapy/
| 
4
Re: The Science Behind SAD: Is It Real?
Comments rated to be Good Answers:
Comments rated to be "almost" Good Answers: