What is seasonal affective disorder, or SAD? Seasonal affective disorder happens when seasonal changes affect a person’s mood and causes them to feel depressed. Winter in the Pacific Northwest is filled with short, cold days with more cloudy, rainy days than sunny days. This can affect many people and cause them to feel depressed simply because they aren’t getting enough sunlight. Seasonal affective disorder treatment in Portland can reduce the symptoms of SAD and allow you to be happy and productive during the fall and winter months.
At Crestview Recovery, we help young men and women 18 and over who experience seasonal affective disorder each year. When you first arrive at our facility, we will perform a complete evaluation to determine the severity of your condition and develop an effective treatment program that can improve your mood and make the winter months more enjoyable. If you always feel sad when the nights get longer, call 866.262.0531 today for more information about our seasonal affective disorder treatment in Portland.
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
What is SAD? SAD is a mood disorder that affects men and women around the same time every year. Typically, SAD affects most people at the start of fall and can last until the beginning of spring. Some people, however, can experience SAD during the spring and summer months with similar symptoms. Many people who suffer from SAD simply chalk up their feelings to the “winter blues” and never seek treatment.
Seasonal affective disorder symptoms include:
- Feeling depressed most of the day
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling sluggish
- Unable to concentrate
At Crestview Recovery, our therapists are well aware of the effects of seasonal affective disorder and can help improve your mood through behavioral and holistic therapies. Clients learn how SAD can affect them and develop coping skills to stay upbeat throughout the long winter.
What are the Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Researchers believe that one of the principal causes of seasonal affective disorder is directly related to how much sunlight we are exposed to each day. Cases of SAD are most prevalent in areas that experience long, dark winters. The further you get away from the equator, the more cases of SAD a region will experience. It depends on the chemical makeup or balance of your system that will determine how easily you are affected by seasonal affective disorder symptoms.
Some of the causes of SAD include:
- Increased melatonin levels – Your body naturally produces melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating sleep at night. During the winter in Oregon, sunset can happen as early as 4:30 PM, causing your body to produce more melatonin.
- Decreased serotonin levels – Sunlight naturally increases the production of serotonin, another hormone that is responsible for regulating mood, sleep, sexual desire, and much more. During the winter, people spend more time inside and don’t get enough exposure to natural sunlight. Low serotonin levels can lead to feelings of depression and a lack of motivation.
- Your biological clock – A decrease in sunlight can disrupt your internal clock or circadian rhythms. This can significantly affect the sleep-wake cycle and cause some of the symptoms of SAD.
Crestview Recovery: Your Top Choice for Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatment in Portland
What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? At Crestview Recovery, we support men and women 18 and over who typically begin to feel sad or depressed at the start of fall and last until spring. Our therapists are familiar with the symptoms of SAD and will develop a treatment program that addresses your unique needs.
You may suffer from seasonal affective disorder if you always feel sad or depressed during the fall and winter months. Call 866.262.0531 or fill out our online form today to see how we can improve your mental health during the winter.
