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Seasonal Affective Disorder Research Paper

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Depression is a common mental disorder. At times people may feel desperation and hopelessness. If this is one of the moods you are experiencing, then you may be depressed. Depression is a continuing and persistent mood that can interfere with your life. It’s represented by feelings of guilt, sadness, and self-doubt. Most people will get affected by depression at one point in their lives through a close friend or a family member. Whatever the cause, events in your life causes chemical changes in your brain. There are many types of depression Such as; persistent depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, and psychotic depression.
First, persistent depressive disorder is an ongoing depression that last for two years or longer, also known …show more content…
Seasonal affective disorder is a type of disorder that is connected to the changes in seasons. Most people start to feel sad in the fall and increases in the winter. These changes in seasons changes the moods as well. Such as, feeling grumpy, moody, and anxious. As well, these moods can cause people to lose interest in their usual activities, food craving, and sleeping more than usual but still feeling tired with lack of energy. In result, Seasonal affective disorder can cause a deep depression by fall or in the beginning of summer. According to Beth W. Orenstein, “Some think that seasonal changes disrupt the circadian rhythm: the 24-hour clock that regulates how we function during sleeping and waking hours, causing us to feel energized and alert sometimes and drowsy at other times.” (Orenstein, 2017) a different theory is “changing seasons disrupts hormones such as serotonin, and melatonin, which regulate sleep, mood, and feeling of well-being” (Orenstein, 2017). People with this disorder can be treated with light therapy also known for Phototherapy, A special medical lamp that produces effects to natural light, activating chemicals in the brain that helps manage the

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