by Patricia A. Schafer, Professional Counselor CCDC-III
Reprinted from the December 2000 Counseling Today
Fall -- the time of year when the leaves turn to beautiful crimson, orange,
yellow and red. Nature is getting ready to change the seasons, bringing in the
cold weather. There is less sunshine and cloudier days. You may believe this happens
every year, so what is the difference? For counselors, however, there is a difference.
They need to know how the seasons may impact some of their clients.
Existing research has estimated that approximately 10 million Americans may
be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder during the fall and winter months.
So, what is SAD? Is it real? Where do you find information about it? Where do
you start? What are the symptoms?
The good news is that there is a wealth of research published in psychiatric
medical, biomedical, psychological and health journals and on the Internet concerning
SAD. The bad news is that there are many physicians, therapists, counselors and
social workers who have never heard of SAD, and yet it may be affecting some of
their clients.
SAD is real, and it can be very debilitating. People who have an existing depressive
disorder such as bipolar or clinical depression can suffer from SAD as well. The
"pure" SAD sufferer has no other signs of depression during the year
except fall and winter months. Then in the spring, the depression remits, and
the individual is fine during the spring and summer months. January and February
appear to be the toughest months for the SAD client. Getting a psychiatrist's
evaluation is extremely important, especially for those who do suffer from other
depressions, such as bi-polar or clinical depression.
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© 2000, American Counseling Association.
