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What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal depression, also called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), occurs about the same time each year, right as fall begins, and carries on through winter until days become longer as springtime arrives. SAD can easily be mistaken for a mild case of “the winter blues” when it is, in fact, a serious form of depression. According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 5% of adults in the United States experience Seasonal Affective Disorder each year, with 75% of those adults being women and 25% being men. 

Causes and Effects of SAD

While researchers aren’t entirely sure what causes Seasonal Affective Disorder each year, there are a number of theories behind what might trigger it. Since so much of our Vitamin D comes from the sun, one of the most well-known theories suggests that a lack of sunlight each winter could be the underlying cause. Some other theories say that SAD is potentially caused by:

• Biological Clock Changes
• Brain Chemical Imbalance
• Decrease in Serotonin Levels
• Melatonin Boosts
• Negative Thoughts

There are a plethora of symptoms that come with SAD, many of which are similar to other types of depression. According to The Cleveland Clinic, these symptoms include:

• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Carbohydrate cravings and weight gain
• Extreme fatigue and lack of energy
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Inability to concentrate
• Irritability
• Limbs feeling heavy
• Loss of interest in usual activities – including withdrawing from social activities
• Sleeping more
• Thoughts of death or suicide

NAD+ IV Therapy Can Help with SAD

IV Restoration offers an effective solution in the form of NAD+ IV Therapy. NAD+, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a coenzyme found in all living cells. With time, natural NAD+ levels in the human body decrease, and are also depleted by a number of factors including too little sleep, stress, depression and more. This leads to many symptoms of aging, including lower energy, diminished mental clarity and a slower metabolism. 

NAD+ IV Therapy helps to optimize the NAD levels in your cells, giving you immediate energy and mental focus. Our NAD+ IV therapy also lessens the physical effects of aging, reduces depression and anxiety, fights chronic fatigue and sleep disturbances, and helps relieve symptoms of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. By reducing the side effects of NAD+ depletion, your body may also be able to fight-off symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder throughout the fall and winter. 

A second treatment option for budget-conscious, winter-weary Cleveland inhabitants is our IM therapy (intramuscular) injections of vitamin D3 – “the sunshine vitamin.” Available in 25,000 and 50,000 IU doses, these IM therapy shots can perk you up quickly and many of our clients visit us monthly for these healthful injections during the dark winter days of northeast Ohio.

IV Restoration in the Cleveland area offers both NAD+ IV Infusions and NAD+ subcutaneous injections. Help prepare your body for the cold season and/or fight-off the negative effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder through our various NAD+ treatment options. For more information, please view our pricing or book an appointment easily here. Take charge of your mood and health this winter in Cleveland!