Ever woke up feeling BLAH? That unexplained ooookie, gross feeling of discontent? Well, there is a name for it besides the ominous sounding “BLAHS” and it is SAD, an acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Wikipedia describes SAD as a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or, less frequently, in the summer, repeatedly, year after year. At times, patients may not feel depressed, but rather lack energy to perform everyday activities, which often leads people to saying that they feel “BLAH” and remaining unaware of a possible condition.

That being said, if you have it, you are not alone. According to Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a pioneer in SAD research, the prevalence of SAD in the adult United States population is between about 1.5 percent in Florida and about 9 percent in the northern US.

Medicine.net reports the following about SAD:

*Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include tiredness, fatigue, depression, crying spells, irritability, trouble concentrating, body aches, loss of sex drive, poor sleep, decreased activity level, and overeating, especially of carbohydrates, with associated weight gain.

*When the condition presents in the summer, the symptoms are more commonly insomnia, poor appetite and weight loss, in addition to irritability, difficulty concentrating, and crying spells.

*SAD seems to develop from inadequate bright light during the winter months.

*Researchers have found that bright light changes the chemicals in the brain. Exactly how this occurs and the details of its effects are being studied.

Now that we know more about the BLAHS, or SAD, how about we put a positive spin on this? After all, that’s why you visited Positivity Works! right?

Treatment # 1: PHOTOTHERAPY…sounds fun, right? Phototherapy involves regular exposure to light that is bright and is found to significantly improve depression in people. Not only does time in the sun diminish depression, but when the sun’s UV-B rays hit the skin, a reaction takes place that enables skin cells to manufacture vitamin D. The Sunshine Vitamin “Vitamin D” may protect against a host of diseases, including osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancers of the breast, prostate, and colon.

So get outside people and get some sun! Have a beach day or spend time in the park with your loved ones. And smile while doing it!

Treatment #2: If you find that phototherapy is ineffective, it might be beneficial to consult with your physician or psychiatrist to determine if a prescription to ANTIDEPRESSANTS is needed.

Treatment #3: Talk it out. PSYCHOTHERAPY will enhance your treatment regimen by allowing you an opportunity, in a safe and confidential environment, to let any unresolved issues off of your chest.

Treatment #4: Check out some online resources. In this day and age, we have technology at the tips of fingers, so why not take advantage of that? Articles like 12 Ways to Ease Seasonal Depression- Infographic offer amazing strategies to deal with SAD.

SEE YOU ALL AT THE BEACH!