Tuesday Topic, with Christine Rutter

A BREED of hibernating humans, who mimic the natural resting period found among animals during the winter months, is emerging.

"People call it the hibernating illness," said Dr Alison Kelly, an independent consultant psychiatrist, who runs a clinic at Beardwood Hospital, Blackburn.

"People with this disorder completely withdraw from society, feel tired and sleep a lot and have no energy. They tend to eat more and have a carbohydrate craving. This disorder is just how animals go about things when they are hibernating," she said.

The doctor, who lives in Rawtenstall, is talking about SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder - which can turn the winter blues into a severe psychiatric illness.

SAD recently claimed the life of a sufferer. Mother-of-two Janet Thomas hanged herself because she couldn't bear the thought of suffering through another winter.

Dr Kelly, who has worked with SAD patients and carried out research into the disorder, said: "The danger months are September to April when the sufferer feels unwell. Come Spring they start to feel better. They can't do anything about it.

"It is a long time to be suffering day in, day out. It is not like having a bad day. It is unrelenting and grinds the sufferer down. In the most extreme cases, patients can take their own life." SAD sufferer Janet Morris said: 'Your personality completely changes. In summer I am confident, energetic and sociable. Come winter I am tired, depressed and want to shut myself away. I get confused about which one is the real me. It is like having a split personality."

Externally, victims look normal and there can be a lack of sympathy from family and friends who often tell sufferers to 'pull themselves together."

Dr Kelly said: "People do get fed up in winter but SAD is a world away from this.

"People think the condition just doesn't exist but the suffering is immense and disabling to the point that many cannot cope with work."

Janet, 41, added: " It is an illness which changes your whole life."

SAD is thought to affect between one and three per cent of the one in 10 people prone to depression.

Victims are affected by the shorter days and lack of sunshine characteristic of the winter months. Studies into vitamin D levels, melatonin and hormones have not yet established the cause of the illness.

"We know how the medication works and the changes in the chemicals in the brain but we don't know what starts off the process. However, technology is changing all the time."

Symptoms can range from mere tiredness to suicidal thoughts and can persist for years, returning every winter. In winter, mother-of-two Janet suffers from pessimistic thoughts, panic attacks, low self-esteem, agoraphobia, lack of confidence, depression and a feeling of being out of control. She left her job as an interviewer and trainer at a building society because she felt she couldn't cope any more.

"I was very ill. Weeping all the time. I was frightened of the whole world. I didn't want to go out or see people. I would have slept all day if I didn't have to take my son to school. You just reach rock bottom. I was suicidal at one point.

"Christmas should be a time of happiness but for me it is a nightmare."

Dr Kelly said: "They feel their problems are insurmountable when they are in the throes of it. They lose sight of the fact they will get better in spring."

Family and friends suffer too.

"It is a significant burden on the family," said Dr Kelly.

"Many sufferers think their families would be better off without them. Relationships often break down."

Patients are treated with medication and counselling and can be helped by going away on holiday during the winter months or hiring a light box which mimics natural daylight.

By use of the light therapy and medication Janet's symptoms are eased slightly and she has taken up part-time work in a garden centre.

"I'm taking one day at a time and building my confidence back up," she said

She advised anyone who has a pattern of such symptoms which occur in winter to contact their GP or call the SAD Association for an information pack, costing £5, on 01903 603914.

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