Expert: The science behind seasonal mood changes
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression linked to the changing seasons, particularly during fall and winter when daylight hours decrease. The reduced sunlight and lower vitamin D levels can lead to changes in mood, energy and sleep patterns. As well, the recent change back to standard time from daylight savings can disrupt circadian rhythms, with similar results.听听
Perry Adler, Faculty Lecturer, Department of Family Medicine, can provide insights into the challenges of defining SAD as distinct from other forms of depression, why SAD affects some people more than others, improving treatments like light therapy, as well as the biological and genetic roots of this seasonal struggle.听
perry.adler [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)听
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