Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mental health condition that primarily occurs in the winter months, especially in Senior Living communities and facilities. SAD is thought to be due to the bodies reduction of natural sunlight during these darker, colder months in the Northern Hemisphere, but can occur globally regardless of your geographical location.
These individuals tend to experience and exhibit depressive symptoms and anxiety along with the following. Most common, oversleeping and/or insomnia. Next, fatigue or the gradual feeling of tiredness. Also, overeating or even loss of appetite is common in most cases. Social isolation and decreased libido are a few other examples along with anhedonia. Anhedonia is the reduced ability or motivation to experience pleasure. This can be seen when individuals no longer feel encouraged or feel pleasure from activities that they once enjoyed. Guilt, agitation and difficulty concentrating are also prevalent in SAD cases. Most often, people are unaware of the fact that they are suffering from mental disorders. Thus, seeking treatment for SAD is often delayed. Moreover, seasonal affective disorder can have serious impacts on quality of life. It does not have to, though. There are treatments available that can help alleviate symptoms and improve day-to-day life. Treatment includes medication, light therapy through virtual skylights and/or artificial skylights, cognitive behavioral therapy, melatonin supplementation, and ionized air administration. For more information please visit www.artificialsky.com