WORLD.- Do you feel isolated, sad, with low self esteem and with a lack of energy for anything? No, you're not turning into The Grinch, but you could be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) was defined for the first time in 1984 by psychiatric specialist Norman E. Rosenthal. SAD (Apt acronym) a type of depression that presents itself by season, usually in winter due to low temperatures and very few hours of sunlight.

The causes of this illness are supposedly centered in the role sunlight plays regarding the production of key hormones in your brain. Experts believe that melatonin and serotonin could be involved. These two hormones help regulate sleep cycles, energy and mood.

Shorter days, longer dark hours and winter could cause an increase in melatonin and a decrease in your levels of serotonin, which are the ideal biological conditions to develop depression.

People who suffer from SAD could experience the following symptoms: Mood swings, incapability of enjoyment, changes in sleep, changes in nutrition, having a hard time focusing, loss of sexual drive and very little energy.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is thought to be treated effectively with phototherapy, but almost half the people who suffer from SAD don't just only respond to light therapy.

Anti-depressives and psychotherapy can reduce SAD symptoms on their own or by combining them with phototherapy. So, don't think twice if you have any SAD symptom, visit a specialist for a diagnose and so you can receive treatment.

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zyanya.figueroa@sandiegored.com