Daily Health News Blog

The shorter and darker days of winter can cause problems for many people. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that increases during the winter months. SAD is often undiagnosed, with most sufferers experiencing symptoms two to three years before an official diagnosis. In the United States, about 500,000 people suffer from SAD each year. But the scope is much wider, as researchers estimate that up to 20 percent of the population experiences some symptoms of the condition. How do you know if you have SAD? Here are some of the common symptoms: - Lack of energy - Lack of concentration - Weakened immune system - Sleep problems - Irritability - Weight gain - Social and relationship problems While these symptoms can occur to anyone year round, SAD tends to show an increase in symptoms as the season changes. Research shows that changes in the levels of daylight may trigger the disorder. Less light sent to the brain affects mood, appetite, sleep, and activity le