Online assessments of Circadian Rhythm Disorders, seasonality and SAD

[sabrinamari]

https://www.apollohealth.com/apps/circ_assess_survey.html

Survey to assess Circadian Rhythm Disorder.

"This test is designed to help you determine whether you have a circadian rhythm disorder, the severity of the disorder, and customize a schedule to shift your circadian rhythm back to its normal pattern."


http://www.normanrosenthal.com/winter_blues_2.shtml

Short quiz to assess seasonality.

"How Seasonal are You?

Most people are seasonal, though some are more so than others. In fact, over 90 percent of all those who responded to a survey conducted in Maryland, about thirty-nine degrees north, reported that they felt some difference in mood, energy, or behavior with the change of seasons. In Chapter 3 of The Winter Blues, you will see how to determine how seasonal you are by means of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). Question 2 of the SPAQ is reproduced below."


http://www.cet.org/pids.htm

Personal Inventory for Depression and SAD

"A questionnaire, developed at the New York Psychiatric Institute and the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, which is self-scoring and comes with an interpretation guide. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)."

Comments

Energy Change

[ingridsummers.livejournal.com]

The problem with the first test is that they assume the changes are all negative. I actually have more energy in the winter and get more done than in the heat of the summer. In the summer I come home and collapse. In the winter, I want a brief rest, then I'm good 'till 11 pm. I go out and feel that cold and it invigorates me. So, yes, I know I'm odd. But, I like winter. I hate summer. Hate, hate, hate it. (Spring and Fall are okay tho)

Re: Energy Change

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

I'll take your summer if you take my share of winter off my hands. I love summer.

Re: Energy Change

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

You know, there are brief mentions of this pattern in some of the material on SAD bthat I've read, but I've never seen any detailed attention given to it.

There must be resources/information available somewhere!

[hypatia42.livejournal.com]

So apparently I have issues because my bio-rythms are longer than they should be. I need a 26 or so hour day.

I have never considered that I had SADs cause I don't have problems in the late fall and early winter, only in late winter when the light is coming back. They called it the February blahs. So very true. Can't seem to control my eating habits like I can through the rest of the year. Blah, down and subdued. Thats me from Imbloc to Ostara. I wonder if a light would help me.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

It might well do so.

My lights have helped me a great deal. Can you borrow one and try it out?

[hypatia42.livejournal.com]

Problem being, I don't know anyone who has one. I imagine if they did they'd be needing to use it...

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Both good points. : )

Kenny Pointed Out To Me Once...

[daurdabla.livejournal.com]

...that what's called "seasonal affective disorder" is probably actually a perfectly normal and appropriate response to winter. With less light and more cold, it makes sense to spend less time active and more time resting and conserving energy. Our culture doesn't allow that, of course, so people who are naturally so inclined find their natural inclination labeled a disorder.

Anyone else see problems with this?

Oh, and I'm entirely done with winter, even though this has been a comparatively mild one. Whether winter is done with me, however, is another matter...

Re: Kenny Pointed Out To Me Once...

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

It may be, especially in those who have moderate or mild symptoms. Some people are so crippled with symptoms that they can barely function, and need family members to take care of them. Those folks would have done better in a historical extended family or tribal setting, but still might have had a hard time, I expect.

Maybe they could have been assigned roles that limited the demands placed on them in the worst winter months?

I wonder if anything like SAD appears in the historical records of literate cultures.