Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Essay # 59468

Medical and Health > Medical Studies
Psychology > Disorders
Psychology > Theory

This paper discusses research conducted to understand the biological and psychological components of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

1,965 words () | 9 sources | APA | 2005 | United States

Published on: Jun 20, 2005

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Norman E. Rosenthal and his colleagues were the first to highlight a pattern of cyclical unipolar depression linked to the changing of the seasons, most often from fall to winter months through to the springtime, specifically November to March. The author points out three causation theories of SAD: (1) Fluxation of hormone levels, (2) neurobiology related to circadian rhythms or the body's internal clock, and (3) a biological and hormonal shift dependent on a person's geographical placement or latitude. The paper relates that, while phototherapy with artificial light is an excellent tool for treating SAD sufferers in the winter months, it has not shown to be nearly as effective as natural light, especially light that is absorbed during the summer months.

From the Paper:

"After Meesters modified Rosenthal's definition, it was possible to diagnose correctly many more patients under the umbrella of SAD. Thus, as greater numbers of people were diagnosed, observed trends began to develop. Three trends in particular were noticed early on and continue to prove true today. They included an overall lower rate of SAD in children compared to the general population, an increasing diagnosis rate in adolescents, and a much higher rate in adult females versus males. One study that became instrumental in establishing concrete evidence for the rates in children and adolescents was conducted after the inherent trends were noticed throughout the general population."