Symptoms:
Withdrawal, social isolation, depression, cravings, weight gain, loss of energy, oversleep, decreased sexual desire.


Cause:
This condition, also called the "winter blues", is caused by several factors:

The winter months bring dark and dreary overcast days, and this emotionally bothers some people more than others.

The winter months have shorter hours of daylight and more overcast skies during the daytime, resulting in less light entering the eyes. This light deficiency sends signals to the pineal, pituitary, and hypothalamus glands; and they do not function as fully as usual.

There is often more stress and greater nutritional deficiencies in the winter. Less fresh fruit and vegetables may be available.

All this combines, in some, to produce seasonal affective syndrome. In our waking hours, we need sunlight every so often. We have a friend who, moving to Labrador, on the eastern Canadian coast, could not tolerate the incessant dreary fog, and moved away within a year.

Treatment:
• In most cases, an improvement in diet will greatly help. Foods rich in the B complex are needed, along with fresh fruit and vegetables. The nervous system needs to be built up with better food.

• Negative attitudes are also powerful. Train your mind to be thankful for the blessings you have.

• If possible, obtain a full-spectrum light for your dining room and work area.