Seasonal Affective Disorder

Believe me, I never knew such a disorder even existed till recently lol.

As the days grow shorter and darker in fall and winter, many people begin to experience symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD. This mood disorder is linked to seasonal changes in light and is marked by periods of depression, fatigue and social avoidance. These symptoms typically begin during the late fall, as the daylight hours shorten, and continue through winters marked by gray skies, less sunlight and cold weather that keeps people indoors.

I don't think Singaporeans have any chance of getting SAD though. Its practically sunny all year round with exceptions for bad weather during ''winter''.There are a few treatments available for this disorder. Light therapy, Light boxes, Medication in combination with light therapy or CBT.

Psychoanalytic Therapy founded by Sigmund Freud, is also referred to as ''Talk Therapy''. The therapy provider will look for patterns or significant events that may play a role in the client’s current difficulties. Psychoanalysts believe that childhood events and unconscious feelings, thoughts and motivations play a role in mental illness and maladaptive behaviors.

A good example of behavioral therapy would be a therapist working with a client to overcome a fear of heights. The therapist would encourage the client to gradually face their fear of heights through experience. The client might first imagine standing on the roof of a tall building or riding an escalator. Next, the client would slowly expose themselves to greater and greater levels of their fear until the phobia diminishes or disappears entirely.

Group Therapy has proven to cause progress. Knowing/meeting other people who are experiencing the same synthoms or who have recovered from a similar problem can provide effective peer support.