We are almost at the tail end of winter and yet perhaps this is the period wherein more people are susceptible to certain diseases and disorders.� You have probably observed or even experienced seasonal affective disorder at least once in your life but you just didn�t know that there was a tag to it.� Yes, there is such a thing as depression brought about by the changes in the seasons.

The rationale behind seasonal affective disorder is that the lack of sunlight brings about a case of winter blues.� Seasonal affective disorder varies in degree.� Some suffer from mild depression while others are unable to function properly in their daily lives.� Though it may seem absurd to some, this disorder is not to be taken lightly.

So how do you deal with seasonal affective disorder?� Well there have been some treatment options that have proven effective in treating the winter blues.� One of the most effective is called bright light therapy.� Patients undergo sessions with lights many many times brighter than the lights we normally have at home.� Regular exposure to such lights during winter greatly decreases the blues.� Other treatments are medication, ionized-air reception, and cognitive therapy.� However, bright light therapy is the treatment of choice for the majority of sufferers.

As the winter nears its end and you observe a family member or a friend acting out of the ordinary, maybe you should take a closer look.� Maybe his or his depression is not something that the normal person goes through.� It may be that he or she is suffering from seasonal affective disorder.

Originally posted on January 20, 2007 @ 4:50 pm