Aromatherapy and Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a medically recognised form of clinical depression that strikes during the darker winter months. Although not fully understood, it is most likely caused by shorter daylight hours which cause shifts in the body’s biological clock and hypothalamus.

From time to time we can all suffer from a dose of what might be called the ‘winter blues’ and feel a bit down, lethargic or generally under the weather. But for some people SAD is a seriously disabling illness with a wide range of symptoms that can totally and utterly disrupt their lives.

Affecting up to two million sufferers in the United Kingdom, symptoms appear between September and April, and are usually most noticeable during November, December, January and February. When spring arrives symptoms can disappear quite quickly with the arrival of brighter sunlight and longer daylight hours.

The symptoms of SAD

The condition typically presents the following conditions:- anxiety, depression, lethargy, loss of sex drive, mood changes, over-eating, sleep problems, and a weakened immune system.

I have personally observed that some people who regularly suffer from this condition can become a little reclusive and seem very reluctant to interact with other people. They know that they are not at their best and they desperately do not want their friends to see them in this state. This state of dread increases their depression, and a downward spiral continues.

Seeing the Light

The light we receive through our eyes controls our moods, sleep, appetite, temperature and sex drive, and during winter many people travel to and from work during darkness. Research has proved that a lack of sunlight can disrupt the balance of the brains chemistry, and it is believed that the combination of long dark winter nights together with the colder temperature causes this depressive disorder.

During the hours of darkness the pineal gland produces a chemical called melatonin - which makes us feel drowsy. Exposure to sunlight stops the production of melatonin and increases the production of a neuro-transmitter called seratonin, - a lack of which is known to cause depression.

To counter the milder symptoms of SAD you must absorb as much natural daylight as possible, and ideally this is between one and two hours a day. Sufferers of more serious symptoms may need medical treatment such as Light Therapy, antidepressants, counselling and psychotherapy. Unfortunately, traditional antidepressant drugs can increase the symptoms of lethargy and sleepiness which the sufferer is trying to overcome!

If you think that you suffer from SAD you should consult your GP to eliminate the possibility of any other medical conditions as well as seek his advice on suitable treatment. Alternatively, if you are simply suffering from a case of the ‘winter blues’ then aromatherapy might just be what you need to help lift your spirits up.

Brighten up with aromatherapy

Many essential oils have a balancing and uplifting action which are ideal for beating the ‘winter blues’ and general feelings of lethargy. However, to be really effective, aromatherapy treatments should be focused on the improvement of the whole person - mind, body and spirit. This means that we must use very carefully chosen essential oils that will bring about a change on all levels.

The essential oils listed in the sidebar have been selected because of their positive, uplifting action on the psychological and spiritual levels as well as the physical. For example, citrus oils have a general cheering and uplifting action on the emotions as well as a refreshing and stimulating action on the body.

The floral essential oils work on the more subtle energies to help to fight feelings of sadness, melancholy or even guilt which may be brought about by the condition.

All the essential oils can be vaporised, used in a bath or diluted in a carrier for a massage. Be sure to use Bergamot FCF in a massage oil if you intend using a lightbox or sunbed afterwards, since the conventional Bergamot is photo-sensitising.

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