THE SECRET LEARNING CODE

WINTER BLUES / WINTER DEPRESSION

CLINICAL NAME: SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)

© Kate Ginn, 2002

This form of depression (illness) has been investigated quite extensively in the last ten years and is now recognised by orthodox and alternative health carers as being a valid illness which puts one at dis-ease.

An estimated 10-12 million people suffer from it in the United States (this covers the entire spectrum of worst to slight symptoms), whilst an estimated ½ million people in Britain currently suffer it very badly. This will continue to increase as the planet moves on its axis and the amount of UV light received from the sun changes with the moving south and north poles.

What is SAD? Animals react to the changing of seasons - Human beings are no different.

What causes it? The problem stems from a lack of natural bright light containing UV rays during winter. Bright light makes a vast difference to the brain chemistry. During the night the Pineal gland secretes a hormone known as MELATONIN which makes you drowsy. As light increases during daylight the amount of melatonin to be found in the body decreases. What happens in winter is that those people who produce large quantities of melatonin actually never clear it up through access to natural bright light and thus create what can be termed hibernating symptoms.

Symptoms of SAD?

1	Sleep problems	Oversleeping and not feeling refreshed, cannot get out of bed, needing a nap in the afternoon.
2	Overeating	Carbohydrate craving, leading to weight gain
3	Depression	Despair, misery, guilt, anxiety, hopelessness, normal tasks appearing frustratingly difficult
4	Family problems	Avoiding company, irritability, loss of libido, loss of feelings, infertility
5	Lethargy	Too tired to cope, everything seems and effort
6	Physical symptoms	Often joint pain, stomach problems, lowered resistance to infection
7	Behavioural problems	Especially in young people

Treatment?

Firstly you need to understand that there are three types of artificial light used which also play havoc with the pineal glands function as well as affecting the amount of UV light you receive during winter months.

1. Incandescent light source - these are the normal light bulbs used at home whose radiant source is a hot filament of tungsten. Studies show that tungsten lighting is deficient in the blue end of the spectrum and contains virtually no ultra-violet light and emits much of its light from the yellow and red end of the spectrum. Releases maximum energy as infra-red (heat).



2. Fluorescent light source - used mainly in schools, business and industry. Generates light by non thermal means. Fluorescent qualities vary depending on the phosphors each light contains. The most popularly used one is the cool white fluorescent which studies have shown to be deficient precisely in those areas of the red and blue-violet part of the spectrum.



3. High Intensity Discharge - these are the lamps producing very bright orange, red or blue frequently used as street lamps and security lights.

You need a basic amount of UV light from the sun daily to support life and maintain a health immune system. Typical indoor environments are illuminated by plus/minus 600-700 lux whereas a bright sunny day can reach up to 100,000 lux.

If you work under fluorescent lighting at work and have tungsten bulbs in the home and actually do not go outside into natural daylight for an hour during winter this can aggravate any natural tendencies towards SAD.

Suggestions would be:-

1. Get out and about in natural daylight for 30 minutes to an hour every day of the year if possible.



2. Change your home lighting to daylight bulbs. These are sold in art and craft shops and even in local supermarkets! They create a white light which is as close to natural light from the sun as scientists have been able to currently create.



3. Buy a SAD light machine and use it daily during winter months if you are a sufferer of SAD.



4. Visit practitioners who are qualified to treat SAD.