Seasonal Affective Disorder

Also known as:  SAD;  Seasonal Depression;  Seasonal Depressive Disorder;  Winter Blues

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of Depression that usually occurs during Autumn or Winter as a result of insufficient exposure to the Ultra-Violet Radiation contained in Sunlight.

 Seasonal Affective Disorder occurs most often during Fall (Autumn) and Winter when the quantity of daylight becomes progressively shorter (full remission normally occurs during Spring/Summer):

 For some people, SAD can occur at any time of the year if the weather is abnormally dull (unusually low Light intensity or lacking in Sunlight).

 For some people, low temperatures alone can trigger the onset of SAD.  ^[1]

 SAD is four times more prevalent in females than in males.

 SAD occurs more frequently in persons aged in their twenties.

 SAD occurs most frequently in people living in geographical areas above a latitude of 40 degrees and is especially prevalent in persons not native to these geographical regions.

 In the USA, SAD is believed to affect 3% to 9% of the population every year.

Amino Acids

 Phenylalanine may alleviate SAD.