Prevalence Rates & Affected Populations One article reported “in US community surveys, SAD prevalence ranges from 9.7 percent in New Hampshire to 1.4 percent in Florida. In North America, SAD prevalence increases with altitude, but the correlation is not significant in other parts of the world” (R&R 2005:22). Another report said that researchers estimated that “1 percent of Florida residents, 4 % of Washington DC residents and nearly 10% of Alaska residents suffer from SAD” (F266). While another more recent article stated, “that the prevalence of SAD is approximately 1 to 2 percent in US and approximately 2 percent in Canada” (K & L 2012:1037). Many of these statistics point to differences in geographic location with different seasons and weather patterns. The differences in geographic location indicate that SAD “is more commonly seen in people who live at high latitudes (geographic locations farther north or sound of the equator), where seasonal changes are more extreme” (F266). The two subtypes of SAD, summer and winter, occur in different climates. Summer SAD occurs more in “tropical climates in countries nearer to the equator” and winter SAD occurs more “temperate climates in countries nearer to the equator” (Saheer et al Year: 237). SAD does not generally occur in countries near the equator because changes in climate and light are mild (F266). A lot of the research also indicates that SAD is more common in countries and regions where there are distinct seasonal changes such as the United States (F266). ¬¬¬ Several of the articles indicated that women and young adults are most likely to experience seasonal affective disorder. One report stated that the “gender difference range from 2:1 to 9:1” (Roecklein and Rohan 2005:22)... ... middle of paper ... ...e inhibitor bupropion have been shown to prevent the occurrence of SAD (Moch Year: 21). Over the counter drugs and supplements such as melatonin have also been proven to have an effect on SAD rates. Many of the drugs were not designed with the purpose of treating SAD, however, the pharmaceutical companies decided to conduct trials to see if they had any effect. One of the large questions that remain in the field is whether the drugs help people. Other treatments that are currently being explored are how lifestyle choices such as aerobic exercise, diet and lighting in their home may help people control their SAD symptoms (K&I year: 1040). There have also been studies that have looked at how cognitive behavior therapy helps SAD patients. From all the studies, it seems a mixture of light therapy and lifestyle changes are the best ways to alleviate the symptoms of SAD.
40 percent of the world’s population is suffering from depression and their disease can be traced back to a genetic link, the remaining 60 percent of the population that suffers is due to environmental factors.
It is widely accepted that the level of serotonin present in the brain has a significant affect on the behavior of an individual, specifically, an individuals mood. SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) are common medications that treat major depression. Thus affecting the mood of an individual. Some would argue improving the quality of life of people who suffer from clinical depression.
There are many medications now that has evidence that the drugs work efficiently and successfully however there is also evidence that depression cannot be fully cured because sometimes if the correct amount of medication is not taken the depression can come back since antidepressants does not work on everyone.
... a part of their brain known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN, gets smaller. The SCN is the primary pacemaker for most circadian functions in the brain. It is responsible for the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. As the SCN decreases in size, less melatonin is produced, causing a shift in sleep patterns. The drop in melatonin, just as in SAD patients, can cause restlessness. In order to counteract this melatonin loss, many of the elderly sit in front of light boxes, just like the SAD patients, at the end of the day for a few hours (Center for Biological).
One major effect of Seasonal Affective Disorder is the seasonal change in sleep patterns. People who are diagnosed with SAD generally sleep for much longer periods of time during their correlating season than during the greater part of the year. Changing of sleep patterns is a common symptom of depression as well; it is only a symptom of SAD when it only occurs during a particular season. These changes can leave the patient feeling very tired. This symptom can eventually lead to sleep deprivation, which is very dangerous and even deadly.
Kaiser, Niclas, et al. "Depression and anxiety in the reindeer-herding Sami population of Sweden." International journal of circumpolar health 69.4 (2010).
There are many medications now that has evidence that the drugs work efficiently and successfully however there is also evidence that depression cannot be fully cured because sometimes if the correct amount of medication is not taken the depression can come back since antidepressants does not work on everyone.
There are various types of treatments for this mental illness. For example, the different types of treatments are getting a therapist, exercising, and lifestyle changes. According to Heath Guides, “ Talking through your depression with a mental health expert (called psychotherapy) helps many people. For some, it works as well as taking antidepressants. In fact, for mild to moderate depression, talk therapy may be your best option”. It takes time to find the perfect treatment that will help that particular person with depression, because everyone is
...al medical condition such as hypothyroidism. The six type of depression is the seasonal affective disorder (SAD), in this disorder people are afflicted by depression during different seasons or times of the year. Furthermore the seventh type of depression is the postpartum depression which is an unusual type of depression that occurs in women within approximately one week to six months after labor. The eighth form of depression is called substance- induced mood disorder depression may begin or precipitated by overdose of substances such as medications, toxins, drugs, and alcohol. The ninth and last form of depression is the premenstrual disorder, this is a bizarre variety of depression affecting a low percentage of menstruating women, it is a periodic condition in which women may feel down and exasperated for one or two weeks before their menstrual period each month.
It's wintertime, and you are gathered for the holidays with all of your family and friends. Everything seems like it should be perfect, yet you are feeling very distressed, lethargic and disconnected from everything and everyone around you. "Perhaps it is just the winter blues," you tell yourself as you delve into the holiday feast, aiming straight for the sugary fruitcake before collapsing from exhaustion. However, the depression and other symptoms that you feel continue to persist from the beginning of winter until the springtime, for years upon end without ceasing. Although you may be tempted to believe that you, like many millions of other Americans, are afflicted with a case of the winter blues, you are most likely suffering from a more severe form of seasonal depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. This form of depression has been described as a form of a unipolar or bipolar mood disorder which, unlike other forms of depression, follows a strictly seasonal pattern. (5).
It happens often that individuals believe they are suffering through depression when in reality, they are simply feeling sad. Sadness is caused by an event that is happening in the moment in contrast to MDD (Major depressive disorder), when the individual is suffering through a constant feeling of mixed emotions for a long period of time. MDD is a mood disorder that causes one to feel constantly sad and lonely. It also causes a loss of interest in past hobbies and activities, and affects the way one feels, thinks and behaves. There are many symptoms and signs of MDD and they always come with a cause, but there are always diagnostics and preventions for this dreadful mood disorder.
Depression is defined as "a state of despondency marked by feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness" (Coon, 2001). Some people can mix up depression with just having the blues because of a couple of bad days or even weeks. It is already said that depression affects about one sixth of the population or more (Doris, Ebmeier, Shajahan, 1999). Depression can happen in any age range from birth to death. The cause of depression is still obscure and becoming clear that a number of diverse factors are likely to be implicated, both genetic and environmental. Some causes are leading stressful lives, genetic factors, a previous depressive episode, and the personality trait neuroticism (Doris, et al., 1999).
Clinical depression is very common. Over nine million Americans are diagnosed with clinical depression at some point in their lives. Many more people suffer from clinical depression because they do not seek treatment. They may feel that depression is a personal weakness, or try to cope with their symptoms alone. On the other hand, some people are comfortable with admitting their symptoms and seeking help. Such a discrepancy may account for the differences in reported cases of depression between men and women, which indicate that more than twice the numbers of women than men are clinically depressed. According to the numbers of reported cases of depression, 25% of women and 10% of men will have one or more episodes of clinical depression during their lifetimes.
As many as 19 million Americans million are affected by mood disorders ( The two main types of mood disorders are bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder which are described as disturbances in mood, behavior and emotion.“ Bipolar disorder is a complex disorder in which the core feature is pathological disturbance in mood ranging from extreme elation, or mania, to severe depression usually accompanied by disturbances in thinking and behavior, which may include psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations” (Craddock, Jones 1999). Major depressive disorder or unipolar depression is characterized by a consistent low mood and lack of interest in things typically enjoyed .A second classification of major depressive disorder, is dysthymic disorder which is a chronic but less severe form of major depression (John W. Santrock 2007). Also major depression has many subgroups including seasonal affect disorder and postpartum depression. While there are many treatment options for the symptoms of mood disorders and promising scientific research, much is still unknown about a disorder that affects so many lives.
Depression is one of the most widespread mental disorders globally, affecting more that 350 million people of all ages. It is characterized by disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, sadness, poor concentration and feelings of guilt. There are various types of depression which are long lasting, and other types which are constantly reoccurring (World Health Organisation , 2012). Severe symptoms of depression that inhibit the ability to work, sleep and eat is categorised as major depression, this form of depression can occur once in a lifetime, however in some circumstances it may occur more often. Persistent depressive disorder can last up to 2 years; symptoms may resemble major depression along with episodes of less severe symptoms. Psychotic depression is a form of severe depression when a person begins to hallucinate and have delusions. Postpartum depression is experienced by women after birth, physical and hormonal changes can lead to depression. Seasonal affective depression (SAD) usually occurs during winter due to less sunlight. Another major type of depression is bipolar disorder which is categorized as changes in mood, for instance extreme high moods to extreme low moods (National Institute of Mental Health, 2011). The prevalence of depression was analysed in 8449 individuals aged between 15 and 40, results showed that depression was commonly found in white males and females than in black and Mexican male and females (Stephanie et al, 2005).