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End of Daylight-Saving Time + Holidays = Depression in Twenty Percent of Women

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 General News
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SEYMOUR, Tenn., Oct. 20 For many people, the brisk fallair marks the end of daylight saving time, rich autumn leaves and the start ofthe joyful holiday season. However, with this delightful season also comesthe reality of less daylight and the approaching winter months. For some,less daylight, heightened stress and loneliness can lead to depression.
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According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, nearly six out of100 people in the U.S. experience winter depression or Seasonal AffectiveDisorder (SAD). Another 10 to 20 percent may experience some mild form ofSAD. Research shows it is 75% more common in women ages 15 to 55, especiallythose who live in areas where winter days are very short or there are bigchanges in the amount of daylight in different seasons.
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"During the fall and winter months of decreased sunshine and added stressaround the holiday season, many women start to feel the 'winter blues,'" saidJacqueline Dawes, founder and owner Brookhaven Retreat, a premier holisticwomen-only treatment facility for emotional trauma and addiction. "Often, wesee deep-rooted feelings of depression surface during this time of the year,but we want women to know that they are not alone and that there are resourcesto help."

Common symptoms of SAD include a change in appetite, weight gain, fatigue,tendency to oversleep, irritability and avoidance of social situations. Thesymptoms tend to start around September of each year lasting until April, andseem to be at their worst in the darkest months. Researchers believe theproblem stems from a lack of bright light in the winter and have proven thatbright light makes a difference to the brain chemistry, although to whatextent is unclear.

SAD is more than just a case of 'feeling down'. It is an actual form ofdepression and it's important to see a doctor if you think you areexperiencing any of these symptoms," said Arun Jethanandani, M.D.,psychiatrist and medical director of Brookhaven Retreat.

Brookhaven Retreat is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatmentfacility that helps women overcome emotional trauma and addiction challenges.For more information on Seasonal Affective Disorder and Brookhaven Retreat,call 1-877-817.3422 or visit www.brookhavenretreat.com/blog

About Brookhaven Retreat

Brookhaven Retreat is a unique, voluntary residential treatment facilityspecially designed to help women overcome emotional trauma or addictionchallenges. The fully accredited and certified dual-diagnosis center isAmerica's premier treatment center for emotional trauma and addiction andoffers female-specific treatment. Located on 48 beautiful acres in thefoothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, it offers modern, holistic care withcompassion and respect from a highly trained expert staff of licensedtherapists, physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners and licensedpractical nurses. Visit www.brookhavenretreat.com for more information.A few suggestions to help with Seasonal Affective Disorder: -- Keep yourself organized to maintain a regular routine -- Increase the amount of light that surrounds you -- Watch your diet -- Exercise -- Take time for your mental health

SOURCE Brookhaven Retreat
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