SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) Support Group
There is a way out of SAD!
If you have symptoms of....
- depression during the winter months
- feeling sad, moody or anxious
- craving carbohydrates
- weight gain
- loss of energy
- loss of interest in social activities
- drowsiness during the day
- wanting to "hibernate" during the dark season
....you could be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
If you think any of the above applies to you, please complete the following questionnaire. SAD Questionnaire
If you are interested in joining the SAD Support Group, please print off your completed questionnaire and referral form SAD support group REFERRAL FORM 2009 and forward it to the Project Worker Team at Hunts Mind (The Limes, 24 New Street, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 1AJ). A member of the team will be in contact with you soon after receipt.
Hunts Mind is starting a new self-help group to offer support and advice to people suffering from SAD.
The objectives are to:
- meet in September and October 2009 initially, with further meeting dates to be arranged by the group
- offer email support to sufferers outside of meetings
- provide a safe and friendly setting for sufferers to receive support and information to manage the symptoms related to SAD
- provide information on light therapy as an effective way of treating SAD.
The next meeting will take place on
Tuesday, 16th February 2010, 1pm - 3pm
Tuesday 9th March 2010, 1pm - 3pm
at
The Limes, 24 New Street, St Neots, Cambs PE19 1AJ
For further information, please contact the Hunts Mind Project Worker team on 01480 470480
Please see below the latest Press Release about the group ...
Are you Coping with S.A.D?
Are you experiencing a loss of energy, been feeling sad, moody or anxious from September onwards? Do you feel you want to hibernate during the winter months, feel drowsy during the day? If your answer to these questions is yes, then you could be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
SAD is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated 7% of the UK population every winter between September and April, in particular during December, January and February. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the brain due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter.
For many people SAD is a seriously disabling illness, preventing them from functioning normally without continuous medical treatment. For others, it is a mild but debilitating condition causing discomfort but not severe suffering. This is often referred to as 'winter blues.'
Hunts Mind is running a new self-help group to offer support and advice to people suffering from SAD. The group is meeting on Wednesday 16th December 2009 at The Limes, 24 New Street, St Neots from 1pm to 3 pm, to provide a safe and friendly setting for sufferers to receive support and information to manage the symptoms related to SAD. The group is run by two SAD sufferers. Further dates and times will be discussed at the group.
Information will be provided on light therapy which is found to be one of the most effective ways of treating SAD. A high powered light box that is suitable for sharing will be available at the group so that people can feel the benefits straight away.
For those interested in attending, contact Hunts Mind Project Worker Team on 01480 470480 or visit our website: www.huntsmind.org.uk/services.
