Washington State — I feel like I earned an extra hour of fun this weekend.
On the other hand, the change of seasons can be a sign of tough times ahead for many people.
“Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of clinical depression that follows a seasonal pattern, with symptoms of depression appearing during certain seasons of the year and resolving during the opposite season,” says Psychologist. Kelly Lohan said. Researchers at the University of Vermont.
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What causes Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Scientists are studying how specialized cells in our eyes convert the blue wavelength part of the light spectrum into neural signals that influence mood and alertness.
Sunlight contains a lot of blue light.
“There are many treatments that can help with seasonal depression, including antidepressants, bright light therapy, and cognitive behavioral conversation therapy,” Lohan said.
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High-intensity light therapy involves a device that emits light about 20 times brighter than normal room light.
Researchers suggest using it for 30 minutes every morning.
“Try to get outside as much as possible. There’s a lot of light during the winter. You just need to dress appropriately,” Lohan said.
There is a summer version of seasonal depression, but not many people know about it.
