Homeopathy for Seasonal Affective Disorder

We're in the middle of winter, and even though Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring, many of us are recovering from the effects of the recent snow storms. 

Cold weather, lack of light, and generally stressful conditions all contribute to a form of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder. 

Symptoms of SAD are common in the months of January to March, in the peak of winter (and after all the festivities of the holiday season!). Symptoms vary in severity, and men, women, children, and pets are all affected.


The main symptoms of SAD are:

• Lethargy and fatigue, sometimes making it difficult to carry out normal routines

• Mood changes, irritability, restlessness, headaches.

• Cravings for sweet, salty, or 'comfort' food that is high in carbohydrates, leading to weight gain

• Feelings of despair and hopelessness, avoidance of social contact

The homeopathic treatment for SAD is through an individualized approach, by taking into consideration all the symptoms of the person at that point in time. This allows the practitioner to come up with a customized remedy which is more effective in providing relief than something that is all-purpose. There are thousands of remedies in homeopathy and any one of them may be the right fit for someone, but some remedies that are over-sensitive to cold weather are considered first. 

Remedies like Causticum, Phosphorus, Rhus tox, and Sepia are all worse from cold weather. While a Phosphorus person needs sunlight to feel lively and happy again, a Rhus tox faces rigidity at both physical and mental levels, leading to stiff joints and compulsive behavior.  Other remedies are Aurum metallicum, Phosphoric acid, Pulsatilla, etc. 

[The remedies described are just examples with some pointers, and they may or may not be the right ones for you. Do not attempt to use homeopathic remedies for chronic illnesses without the guidance of a homeopath.  A homeopath has the expertise to choose the correct remedy and dosage to suit your needs.]

Other ways to support healing from SAD are:

• Go for a walk in the middle of the day and get some sunlight. Open the curtains and blinds on your windows and let the sun come into your home.
• Exercise! If you can't go out of your home, exercise at home. Stretch, run, skip rope, dance - do whatever you enjoy to get your heart pumping a little harder. Exercise releases endorphins which are your body's natural mood enhancers.
• Bach flower essences are very useful for healing emotional issues. Mustard is used for depression.

Stay warm, and stay healthy!