What are the Causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder?
It’s normal to feel a little blue on a rainy day or to feel energized when you see the first flowers of spring, but it is not normal for these seasonal shifts to have a deep and serious impact on your mood and well-being. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression triggered by seasonal changes. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common form of SAD occurs in late fall and early winter and goes into remission by late spring and early summer. A much less common form of disorder is just the opposite, occurring in late spring and early summer and going into remission in the cooler months. Although the exact cause of SAD is unknown, researchers have been able to ascertain several contributing factors. Disruption of Circadian Rhythm Your circadian rhythm is a physiological function that regulates and determines your sleeping and waking hours. According to the Environmental Illness Resource, the disruption of circadian rhythm is one of the main suspects in SAD. The theory is
