Seasonal Affective Disorder

This literature review examines the seasonal characteristic of psychosocial adaptation by focusing on seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The identification and recognition of SAD as an affective disorder with a seasonal pattern, and subsequent research into its cause and symptoms is presented. SAD is caused by a combination of photopefiod, climate, genetic, cognitive, and neurochemical factors; although there is still no consensus as to the imponance of each factor. SAD can be successfully tleated by phototherapy and certain drugs. Therefore, being able to identify and treat SAD should be an important component of any Antarctic program. This literature review examines the seasonal characteristic of psychosocial adaptation by focusing on seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The identification and recognition of SAD as an affective disorder with a seasonal pattern, and subsequent research into its cause and symptoms is presented. SAD is caused by a combination of photopefiod, climate, genetic, cognitive, and neurochemical factors; although there is still no consensus as to the imponance of each factor. SAD can be successfully tleated by phototherapy and certain drugs. Therefore, being able to identify and treat SAD should be an important component of any Antarctic program