How is Seasonal Affective Disorder (a.k.a. SAD) treated with Oriental Medicine?

Scott Fitzpatrick, Dipl. O.M.

SAD is a common disorder suffered by millions of Americans annually, and 70-80% of the patients diagnosed are women. The disease usually begins in the late fall or early winter and is associated with changes in weather. People who suffer from SAD become appreciably worse around the holidays. Common signs and symptoms of SAD include: decrease in energy, loss of sleep, intense emotional changes, loss of appetite, and loss of motivation. The SAD syndrome can be exacerbated by loss of a loved one, familial and job stresses, prior psychological and emotional disorders, and the loss of time in the sun!

Oriental Medicine recognizes the importance and severity of this disease and appreciates the fact that it is multi-focal and must be addressed from the multidisciplinary approach. Using Oriental Medicine terms, SAD can be called liver qi stagnation, with a disturbed shen, exacerbated by kidney yin deficiency and phlegm, which may not mean a lot to the lay person, but provides some insight into the complexity with which the disease is outlined in the world of Oriental Medicine.

Oriental Medicine is a wonderful alternative to conventional antidepressants. Exercise, dietary changes, and getting outside to “soak up some rays” are all integral pieces of the approach to SAD using a holistic approach. The more aggressive forms of Oriental Medicine include Acupuncture and Herbal prescriptions, which are very useful in the treatment of SAD. During an acupuncture treatment, the needles are placed in very specific points throughout the body to facilitate the flow of Qi and blood, which will help to balance the Yin and the Yang of the body. The best herbal prescriptions for SAD include: Jia wie shao yao san, and Chai hu jia long gu mu li tang (tell your local O.M. provider, he/she will know what your talking about!). These medications of course should be adjusted to the specific patient needs, but are great prescriptions to begin with and should help immediately with your winter time blues.

SAD is a very real problem. When treated appropriately, the patients should see a tremendous improvement throughout the season.

Please don’t hesitate to call the clinic with questions, Happy Holidays!!!!!

- Scott Fitzpatrick, Dipl.O.M.

(This article is from our 4th Qtr 2006 Newsletter)

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