Seasonal Affective Disorder PART I Occupational, Social, and Environmental Factors PART II
Seasonal Affective Disorder
(Author’s name)
(Institutional Affiliation)
Abstract
Though most medical experts were originally skeptical about the existence of the disease, the existence of the disease, Seasonal Affective Disorder, or what is known as SAD has been proved. A diagnosis of this disease is carried out when patients suffer for mood disorders during various seasons, and especially more during the winter season (Rosenthal, 2006). The disease is said to affect populations living in the Nordic regions, or regions experiencing harsh summers and winters as compared to other seasons. Accordingly, the disease gas been linked with various occupational, social and environmental factors including gender, social class, place of employment, geographical region, and lighting. These factors determine the prevalence of the disease in certain populations as compared to others, and for that reason should be considered in the development of treatment options.
Key Words: Seasonal affective Disorder, Prevalence, Occupational factors, Social Factors, Environmental Factors
Introduction
Also referred to by its acronym SAD, Seasonal Affective disorder is a mood disorder whereby patients diagnosed with the disorder experience depressive moods and symptoms at specific seasons in the year (Rosenthal, 2009). It is a disease whereby normal individuals, having normal metal health and moods, experience a change of their mental health during specific seasons such as the winter season. Though the disease is said to occur in the winter season, the disease has also been linked with the summer season as it produces the same symptoms as those of bipolar disorder during the two seasons. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not classify this disease as a unique disorder, and instead, it is categorized as a form of depression (Rosenthal, 2009). The uniqueness of the disease illustrated in the prevalence of the disease. This is because, unlike other types of disorders, this disorder affects certain populations more than others during a specific time. Research studies conducted on this disorder reveal that people living in the northern regions, as well as, those living in areas where there are severe winter and summer periods are more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder. For example, 10% of the populations in the northern states in America are estimated to suffer from SAD, as compared to the southern parts which only record about 2% (Partonen & Pandia-Perumal, 2010).
This paper provides a study of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The paper evaluates the disease’s causes, risk factors and prevalence across diverse populations while illustrating the occupational, social, and environmental factors that influence the occurrence of the disease. The paper concludes by highlighting the various treatment options for the disease.
Causes and Risk Factors of SAD
The first symptoms of SAD are said to be experienced in the teenage years, as well as, the period during early adulthood. This is because people are this stage are more prone to emotional changes as their mental health is in continual growth and development. it is also at these stage that individuals are more likely to be affected and influenced by certain environmental factors, especially in relation to their mental well-being. Research studies illustrate that young women, people living in Nordic regions and the African American community risk suffering from this disorder (Psychiatric News, 2004). The main causes of SAD include light insufficiency, genetics, and hormonal imbalance. Light insufficiency is said to be a cause of SAD as researchers have found a link between depressive mood disorders with lighting (Lam et al., 2006). If one’s family has also a long history with the disorder, there is the likelihood of future generations to suffer from the same. Conclusively, research studies also illustrate that hormonal imbalance can be a cause for this disorder owing to the link between SAD and depression (Partonen & Pandia-Perumal, 2010).
Prevalence of SAD across Populations
As previously mentioned, SAD is prevalent among populations living in Nordic regions. Populations living in regions that experience long winter nights are at more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder. Populations living in such areas experience severe winter seasons, with a complete lack of sunlight, hence limiting access to natural sunlight by people living in such regions (Rosenthal, 2009). Areas such as Africa, whose winter seasons are not as adverse as those in the Atlantic regions have very few reported cases of the disorder with most of depression incidences being experienced by the populations in these areas being linked with other factors. In addition to this, SAD is said to be more prevalent among female populations than male populations. This is because of the common notion that women are more emotional than men, and for that reason, are more likely to experience emotional disorders than their male counterparts.
Occupational Factors Affecting the Prevalence of SAD
Individuals’ occupations have been linked with the prevalence of the disorder among various populations. Occupational factors affecting SAD are said to be of two types including factors related to the type of work being done, as well as, the physical design of the premises in which people work (Rosenthal, 2009). This is because; the disease has been closely related to the lack of accessibility to natural sunlight. Occupations where the design of the building, which limit access to natural light, are said to be causative factors of the disorder. Specifically, business premises that do not have access to sufficient lighting in the employees’ work stations are said to report more incidences of the disorder, as compared to, work stations that provide enough lighting (Howland, 2008). Additionally occupations that require people to work in factories and other industries such as mining are also said to influence the prevalence of SAD. This is because these occupations limit the availability of natural light for the employees as they are required to work in enclosed environments for long periods.
Social Factors Affecting the Prevalence of the SAD
Social factors such as gender, ethnicity, and age have also been linked with the existence of SAD among certain groups or populations (Rosenthal, 2009). With relation to gender, evidence from research studies illustrate that women are more likely to suffer from SAD, as compared to men. The rationale behind this is illustrated in further psychological studies which analyze the different metal and psychological state of the two genders. In terms of ethnicity, a study carried out by researchers for the psychiatric news illustrate that the African American community is more likely to suffer from SAD as compared to any other ethnic community in the world (Psychiatric News, 2004). Accordingly, the first symptoms, and probably only symptoms of SAD are recognized during the teen and early adulthood years. For that reason, young adults are more likely to experience symptoms of this disorder, as compared to, their older counterparts. However, the symptoms of SAD only go away after treatment and for that reason, if not treated early, patients can carry on the disease to their adult years.
Environmental Factors Affecting the Prevalence of SAD
Because SAD has been linked with lack of access to natural light, research studies illustrate that various environmental factors influence the prevalence of the disorder in patients (Rosenthal, 2009). At the outset, environmental factors influencing the incidence of SAD are illustrated in the fact that the disease is more prevalent in Nordic regions as compared to all other region. This is because of various environmental factors such as sunlight, air, and clouds. Sunlight affects the prevalence of SAD in that an insufficient access to sunlight interferes with the mental health and state of most individuals (Avery et al., 2001). People who have limited access to sunlight are said to be more moody and emotionally sensitive than those who have sufficient access to sunlight. The same ideologies of photosynthesis are used to describe this phenomenon as research studies prove that access to light has an effect of the heart. The existence of clouds also affects the prevalence of SAD as people living in cloudy areas have limited access to natural light, as well as, oxygen.
Treatment Options
Researchers and medical practitioners have identified five main treatment option for patients suffering from SAD including light therapy, cognitive-behavior therapy, antidepressant medication, hormone supplementation, as well as, the complex ionized-air administration treatment (Baxter et al., 2008). An early diagnosis and treatment of the disease prevents its reoccurrence in future years for patients. Though each treatment option can be used individually to treat SAD patients, a combination of two or more of these treatment options is said to yield the best results for patients in the treatment of the disorder.
References
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