1. Seasonal Affective Disorder

2. Latitude may be to blame for the high rate of depression among the Scandinavians. Doctors have identified a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) that strikes people who do not get enough light. Because Scandinavians live at high latitudes, they see little sun-light during the winter. For example, Icelanders can expect only four hours of sunlight in December and by 2:00 P.M. the light is already weak. The darkness can cause those who suffer from SAD to overeat, sleep too much, and withdraw from other people. SAD is also a common problem in many of the northern states in the United States such as Alaska, Maine, Michigan, North Dakota and Minnesota. On the “flip side,” Norway is sometimes called the Land of the Midnight Sun because the Sun does not set in the northern parts of the country for about one month every summer.

3. Why do people in Scandinavia have higher rates of depression? Do you think people’s mood is affected by sunlight? Why or why not? What are some possible things to do to help lesson SAD in the Scandinavian People?