Preparing for the Season of SAD
The days are getting shorter, and the sunshine is not as bright. Fall is here, and winter is quickly approaching – for SAD sufferers, it is time to ready our arsenals to combat the bleakness of the dark seasons. SAD stands for “Seasonal Affective Disorder,” and it describes a depression or malaise that descends during the colder, darker months. It is estimated that approximately 10 to 20 percent of the U.S. population experiences symptoms of SAD. Women account for around 75% of sufferers. Psychologists surmise that the phenomenon is caused by the change in sunlight and is especially pronounced in parts of the country that get the least sunlight during winter.