VOA常速英语2007年-Battling Winter Blues Is 'SAD' for Many

By Paul Sisco
Washington
13 December 2007
 

It has long been known that when days become shorter many individuals experience a form of depression called Season Affective Disorder¹, or SAD. In this Searching for Solutions report, Paul Sisco reports on one method of dealing² with the disorder some call "winter blues³."

As summer turns to fall, then winter, and the days get shorter, many creatures migrate to warmer, sunnier climates, while some hibernate⁴. Most people do not have those options. And for some, those diagnosed with SAD, or Seasonal⁵ Affective Disorder, the coming of winter disrupts sleep, diet, and mood.

"Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that roughly affects one in four people, and it is basically caused by the shortness of daylight hours," explains Neal Owens about his own experience with SAD. 

In the 1980s, Owens took part in the first clinical studies on Seasonal Affective Disorder at the National Institutes of Health, outside Washington. He says, "As the days get shorter, there are marked seasonal changes in brain chemistry, and researchers now know that when the days get shorter we have a lower amount of serotonin, which is a nerve messenger chemical responsible for our moods, productivity, our sex drive, our eating habits, and when the days get shorter," he continued, "we have more melatonin and less serotonin, and that's what causes the problems in people that suffer from SAD."

Light therapy is often beneficial for those with the disorder, and Owens started the 'Sunbox' company to provide it. "The treatment has been relatively⁶ simple: basically you are using artificial bright light to fool your brain," he said.

They assemble and market a variety of unique light therapy products for SAD sufferers.

"Using artificial bright light 15 to 20 times brighter than normal ... home or office lighting⁷, can boost serotonin levels in the brain," Owens explained. "So really by using a 'Sunbox' box light box, you can actually pretend it's a nice summer day outdoors." 

Many users and therapists confirm that light therapy is an effective treatment for SAD. Many users say they feel better within days of giving it a try.

1 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

2 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

3 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

4 hibernate   

v.冬眠，蛰伏

参考例句：

• Bears often hibernate in caves.熊常在山洞里冬眠。
• Some warm-blooded animals do not need to hibernate.一些温血动物不需要冬眠。

5 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。

6 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

7 lighting   

n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光

参考例句：

• The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
• The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。