As the days become longer, the leaves change hues, and snowflakes hit your nose it becomes obvious that the seasons are changing. While some of us welcome the change with open arms, five percent of Americans are dreading just one season, winter (Kurlanski, 2012, para 2). More common in women than men, Seasonal Affective Disorder is a proven depression encountered only during winter months and can sometimes end in hospitalization (Kurlanski, 2012, pg 2). Gloomy weather has a significant impact on the emotions of individuals in our society. It has been linked to higher rates of depression, interpersonal violence, and can even weaken our immune systems.
A study conducted in 1996 at the Outpatient Clinic for Seasonal Affective Disorder, Department of Biological Psychiatry concluded depression is a trademark of Seasonal Affective Disorder (Willeit, 2008, pg 1503). The study was conducted using a self-referral and referral though the providing psychiatric treatment centers while using previous treatments and diagnoses to establish participant ability. The study showed that because of the weather changes, to include both cold weather and lack of natural light, caused patients who experienced less symptoms of depression during summer months, to have less synaptic serotonin …show more content…
Studies have concluded that individuals who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder have an activation of the immune-inflammatory system brought forward by the pathophysiology of depressive disorder they already had (Leu, 2001, index). One patient study concluded that bight light therapy, did not have an effect on the immune-inflammatory system in winter depression, but did conclude there is a direct affect to a person from winter months on the immune systems itself (Leu, 2001, p
A study conducted in 1996 at the Outpatient Clinic for Seasonal Affective Disorder, Department of Biological Psychiatry concluded depression is a trademark of Seasonal Affective Disorder (Willeit, 2008, pg 1503). The study was conducted using a self-referral and referral though the providing psychiatric treatment centers while using previous treatments and diagnoses to establish participant ability. The study showed that because of the weather changes, to include both cold weather and lack of natural light, caused patients who experienced less symptoms of depression during summer months, to have less synaptic serotonin …show more content…
Studies have concluded that individuals who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder have an activation of the immune-inflammatory system brought forward by the pathophysiology of depressive disorder they already had (Leu, 2001, index). One patient study concluded that bight light therapy, did not have an effect on the immune-inflammatory system in winter depression, but did conclude there is a direct affect to a person from winter months on the immune systems itself (Leu, 2001, p