Seasonal Affective Disorder:

Good health minimizes the winter blues

Researchers say less sunlight can throw off your body clock and put you into the doldrums of winter. It can leave some people in a condition called seasonal affective disorder or SAD.

   It appears to be more common in creative people. The letters and work of Emily Dickinson, for example, show seasonal changes of mood and productivity. She produced far less in winter.

   Researchers are learning why some people are affected more than others. A report in the Archives of General Psychiatry indicates that 10 million Americans suffer with SAD, and 35 million have milder symptoms.

   Doctors say people with this condition generate a signal that the season is changing. The signal is similar to the one that cues bears to hibernate.

    Paying attention to general health can minimize the effects of SAD. This includes taking vitamin supplements, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and having a more positive attitude. Light therapy is an effective treatment. Bright lights can shift the internal circadian clock, but proper timing is critical. Doctors leading the winter depression program at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York say the ideal time is about 2.5 to 4 hours after the midpoint of sleep. This timing can double the antidepressant response.

   If a severe case of winter blues is affecting you, see your doctor for a treatment that will help you see the light.