Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is four times more likely to strike women than men according to a recent study, Bright Light Therapy provides a low cost long term solution.
Reno, NV (PRWEB) January 04, 2013
As we start the new year many people have trouble celebrating due to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) a severe type of winter blues. December was Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Month, as a result this time of year, stories about SAD are all over the news, but a recent article by Hope Gillette for voxxi.com highlights the fact that it affects a lot more women than men. SAD, is four times more common in women than it is in men, according to the Alaska Study (Prevalence of seasonal affective disorder in Alaska. American Journal of Psychiatry) A whooping 4 to 6 percent of the entire U.S. population suffers from SAD, while an additional 10 to 20 percent may suffer from a more mild form of winter blues, and three-quarters of the sufferers are women. Furthermore, if you live in the Northern latitudes, you are eight times more likely to be affected by SAD than those who live in sunnier climates.
During these bouts of depression in the winter months, women tend to eat more and exercise less. They also often experience symptoms such as mood dysfunction, depression, irritability, excessive sleeping, weight gain, extreme fatigue, and trouble falling asleep. Several factors are thought to be connected to seasonal affective disorder, including a disturbance of the body's internal clock which tell you when it is time to be asleep and when it is time to be awake. The reduction in daylight can upset this clock, also known as the body's circadian rhythm.
“Often the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with a person's ability to function effectively at home or work, not just make them uncomfortable,” said Cort Christie CEO of Alaska Northern Lights, “approximately 85 percent of SAD cases benefit from exposure to Bright Light Therapy according to the American Psychiatric Association.”
In the meantime, there is good news for those women suffering from SAD, effective low cost treatments are available. The first recommended option for treatment is usually light therapy, with a Bright Light Therapy box capable of emitting 10,000 lux. Studies by Columbia University Medical Center - Center for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms, have shown morning use of light therapy to be superior to that at other times partially due to circadian rhythm activity in patients with SAD. Alaska Northern Lights offers high quality Bright Light Therapy Boxes starting at about $299, and the expense is often partially covered by insurance companies.
About Alaska Northern Lights
Founded in 1993, we are an online retailer of bright light therapy boxes for treating seasonal and non-seasonal depression, sleep disorders, and bipolar disorder. Alaska Northern Lights has sold over 30,000 North Star 10,000 light boxes since it opened for business 17 years ago. Just to give you an idea of how effective our light box is, even with our 60 day, 100% money back program, over 98% of customers choose to keep their amazing North Star 10,000 light box.
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